Winning a state title in any sport is tough already, but defending it is proabably the toughest task in athletics. That’s the dilemma the Kaua‘i High School girls and boys golf teams face this season, which opens up on Saturday
Winning a state title in any sport is tough already, but defending it is proabably the toughest task in athletics.
That’s the dilemma the Kaua‘i High School girls and boys golf teams face this season, which opens up on Saturday at the Kaua‘i Lagoons Mokiahana Course, with a 12:30 p.m. tee time.
“I think right now, possibly, we’re conisdered as favorites, but that’s according to hearsay,” Kaua‘i High School head golf coach Winston Ogata said.
The boys squad return nine players from last season’s state championship squad.
Bret Netzer and Cory French lead the way for the Red Raiders, followed by Kellen Watabu and Chad Nonaka.
Other returnees include Nikko Tacsiat, Michael Garcia, Layne Morita, Brandon Hirota, and Stephen Peeren.
On the girls side, Mikki Ueoka, Shelcie Takenouchi, Mary Akutagawa, Kimberly Yama, and Claire Hirota are all returnees. Terra Bell, who sat out last season, is also a threat for the defending state champs.
Jennie Pleas, who plays for the University of Nevada and Ki‘ilani Matsuyoshi, stand-out at UH-Hilo are key graduates from last year’s state title run.
“At the beginning, it will be hard to tell how the team will do, but I’m optimistic and I’d definitely like to win again this year,” Ogata said.
Waimea Menehune
Second year coach Dr. Mariano Torres has a full roster of boys golfers, which includes his son, Noel aka Neil, Markland Soliva, Grant Paiste, Ryan Gusman, Steven HahnMorin, Randall Duldulao, Jerome Andres, Grant Kagawa, Marjovic Soliva, Tom Hashimoto, and Thad Fujii Jr., as returnees.
“Geez, our good turnout this year is due to just friends talking to friends in and out of school, and I guess it just snowballed after that,” Torres said.
The girls squad, coached by Georg Paiste and Robin Nakata have a brand new, very young squad.
Three golfers make up the team and none have any KIF experience. Jenni Ueno, Leslyn Ibara, and Megan Higuchi make up the three-person squad.
“I think we can challenge them (Kaua‘i), but they have a very skillful team, they’re an awfully great team,” Torres said.
According to the West Kaua‘i Medical Center/Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital (WKMC/KVMH) doctor, patience is the key to their success.
“I really like seeing them out there having fun, but this game requires a lot of focus and we’re going to be ready for the challenge,” Torres said.
The Kawakami Foundation and many countless individuals have kindly supported the Menehune golf team, which carries along new golf bags this season.
Kapa‘a Warriors
First-year head coach Fred Levinthol will be handling the duties for both the girls and boys squads at Kapa‘a.
“We’re going to bring up the rear, but if we can place second, it would be a big plus for our team,” Levinthol said.
12 boys are on the squad this season and there are two individuals on the girls’ team.
Returnees for the boys include Jet Levinthol, Matthew Mizumoto, and Travis Toguchi. Jenna Benners and Moani Campbell are the two golfers for the girls.
“Kaua‘i is the best team in the state and should kill the rest of the state hands down and Waimea has great numbers,” Levinthol said. According to Levinthol, Steven Boes, a first-year golfer, has lots of potential. Another freshman, Jonathan Ganir, should also make a name for himself this season.
The team also features first-year player Mackey Moreno, a senior, but hungry for the game.
“Hopefully we’ll build up a program here, but I wish all the schools good luck this season,” Levinthol said.
KIF golf kicks off this Saturday at the Kaua‘i Lagoons’ Mokihana Golf Course at 12:30 p.m.
