Yoshi Schmidt would not take off her medal Saturday. “I had it on since the race,” the Kilohana 12 Mixed paddler said, cradling the bronze medal attached to a yellow lanyard. “I’m going to keep it on.” Schmidt’s mother said
Yoshi Schmidt would not take off her medal Saturday.
“I had it on since the race,” the Kilohana 12 Mixed paddler said, cradling the bronze medal attached to a yellow lanyard. “I’m going to keep it on.”
Schmidt’s mother said Yoshi was so excited, she called home right after Kilohana Canoe Club earned third place at the 2008 State Outrigger Canoe Paddling Championships on O‘ahu.
“It was really close,” coach Kane Turalde, who accompanied the group to the state championships said, stretching his arms apart to indicate a winning distance of about 2 feet.
Kilohana Canoe Club, scratching in the Boys 12 race, rebounded in Event 3, the Mixed 12, to beat out a team from the Kaneohe Canoe Club on a 2:09.01 paddle. Kaneohe finished at 2:09.36.
That bronze medal team included Mark Kanahele Ioelu, Kapono Kapanui, Keisha Land, Bryana Resquer-Yorkman, Pono Rull Jr. and Schmidt.
Schmidt said in addition to Turalde, the team was coached by former steersperson Tehani Nakamitsu and No. 4 seat Xiani Matagiese. Isaac Fierro, Nuna Matagiese and Cannon Gonsalves were alternates for the squad with Gaylyn Turalde the team mom.
Kilohana joined teams from Hanalei, Kaiola, Niumalu and Namolokama in picking up points at the state championships.
Elle Blair, Malina Lee, Vanessa Martinez, Anabelle Marvin, Ginger and Sarah Zietz made up the Hanalei Girls 15 team that chalked up the only gold medal for the Kaua‘i paddlers attendig the O‘ahu meet.
According to results posted on the Hawai‘i Canoe Racing Association Paddler Web site, the victorious Hanalei 15 girls team stopped the clock at 4:23.28, just a second ahead of second finisher Kamehameha Canoe Club which crossed at 4:24.25.
The Hanalei CC team dominated the Kaua‘i showing at the state championships, finishing the day-long event with a total of 123 points based on picking up marks in 15 events.
Namolokama, despite a scratch and two DQs, finished with 19 points after placing fifth in both the Mens Novice B race and the Men Open Four event.
Makana Denton, Patrick Grenz, Fermin Lagonell, Joe Martin, Logan Smith and Shawn Waldron were listed as crew for the Namolokama Mens Novice B canoe. Mark Frazier, Keoni Miyake, Maika Scott and Scott Wagner made up the Mens Open Four team.
Niumalu Canoe Club walked off with 18 points after picking up points in four events, its best race coming in seventh for the Women Novice B where the team crossed at 2:11.04 for 8 points.
Ali Brimhall, Arlene Devitt, Sarah Henderson, Christina Marti, Ciel Pia and Heather Singleton formed that Niumalu crew.
Kaiola Canoe Club finished with a dozen points along with Kilohana. The Kaiola Girls 14 team topped that club’s scoring with a seventh finish for 7 points.
Kimberly Aguilar, Elisa Delgado, Dezarae Fernandez, J-Sea Paliracio, Jericho Paliracio and Kristina Tangalin filled in the Kaiola craft racing in lane 4.
Kilohana’s sole point came with its bronze finish in the 12 Mixed race.
For the Kilohana paddlers, the day started at sunrise as they joined the all-Kaua‘i contingent of junior lifeguards on a flight to O‘ahu. Following a day of racing, the team returned home on the final flight Saturday night.
Lanikai topped the AAAA Division of the championships with 355 points followed just three points back by the Hawaiian Canoe Club with 352 points.
Kai Opua Canoe Club edged out the Puna Canoe Club by five points in the AAA division, Kai Opua leading the pack with 165 points. Hanalei Canoe Club finished in fifth place of this division.
Keauhou Canoe Club topped the AA Division with 151 points followed by Kaneohe at 132 points.
Kawaihae Canoe Club topped the A Division with 48 points. Namolokama finished 16th in this division followed by Niumalu finishing in 19th place and Kaiola in 24th place.
According to the Garden Island Canoe Racing Association’s working schedule, the Namolokama long distance race is this weekend followed by Na Pali Challenge coming up Aug. 16.
