The top Kaua‘i Police Activities League wrestlers from all three areas — east, central and west — will join to form a Kaua‘i all-star squad, which will vie for the State AAU Championship on Maui. The team heads to the
The top Kaua‘i Police Activities League wrestlers from all three areas — east, central and west — will join to form a Kaua‘i all-star squad, which will vie for the State AAU Championship on Maui.
The team heads to the Valley Isle on May 20, but in order to get there, each wrestler must come up with over $300 for the entire trip (airfare, lodging, transportation, food).
“So if anyone out there has some influence with Aloha or Hawaiian (Airlines) to get them to give the wrestlers and coaches the discounted summer fare of $39, or would like to contribute miles or money to help the kids of Kaua‘i in this positive endeavor, please contact officer Mark Ozaki at mozaki-kpal@hawaii.rr.com,” westside coach Jim Nesbit wrote in an email.
The westside team took home the overall tournament team championships on April 30 at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
However, eastside won the team trophy for the season.
Westside won the overall tournament championship by winning three of the weight classes in the high school division and two in the middle school competition. Eastside garnered three of the weight classes in the elementary school division.
“All Kaua‘i wrestlers are the true winners, because they are now more confident and better people for having participated,” Nesbit said.
“A special mahalo should go out to the Kaua‘i Police Department’s K-PAL program, and especially to officer Ozaki, as well as to all the parents and coaches who support this fine wrestling program for the youth of Kaua‘i. We all look forward to the day that the wrestling program will be apart of the schools athletic program,” Nesbit continued.
First place winners from the island championship include Matthew Jimenez (west), Jacob Jimenez (west), Mershelle Rivera (west), Ikaika Ki‘ilau (east), and Gage Gusman (central) in the high school contest.
Aaron Sears (west), Ross Ozaki (west), Trevor Bonilla (east), and Kyle Gusman (central) were victorious in the middle school competition.
Kaila Kaui (east), Shain Davis (east), Thomas Yam (east), and Keenan Kaya (central) triumphed in the elementary school division.
