PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita started the day in second place, but by the end of five events, Akita had amassed three first places and two second places at the Kaua‘i All Girls Rodeo Association season-opener at the CJM County Stables.
PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita started the day in second place, but by the end of five events, Akita had amassed three first places and two second places at the Kaua‘i All Girls Rodeo Association season-opener at the CJM County Stables.
Akita finished second in the First D of the 3D Barrel Racing event, just about a half second below Britni Ludington-Braun, who finished as the 2009 Reserve All-Around Cowgirl.
Braun stopped the clock at 17.52 over Akita’s 18.149 go. Janine Hashitate (18.165), Nancy McMahon (18.353) and Courtney Medeiros (18.421) rounded out the First D.
Nancy McMahon (19.533), Shan Mundon (19.877), Robin Medeiros (20.188), and Laureen Naumu-Balocan (20.481) filled in the Second D in Barrels.
Rhonda Kaui, just missing the mark in last year’s overall standings, topped the Third D on a 21.115 go followed by Dena Souza (21.921), Michelle Ientile (21.989, Kristene Sugai (22.562) and Kim Medeiros (22.649).
Akita teamed with Shantel Wong, named as the 2009 Outstanding Heeler, to capture top honors in the Team Roping event with a 23.57 average on two go’s.
Following the Akita-Wong duo, Taylor Ludington and Ho‘olai Ludington finished second with a 32.74, followed by Kristene Sugair and Kim Medeiros posting a 40.56. Alexis Vasconcelles and Cheree Rapozo-Vasconcelles followed at 46.79 with Ludington-Braun teaming with Ho‘olai Ludington for a 11.61 on one go to round out the leader board.
Akita soared to the top of the Breakaway Roping event on a fast 11.53 average over two go’s, followed by Ho‘olai Ludington at 13.35, Tami Yamamoto (14.39), Kristene Sugai (19.82) and Coralyn Murayama, last year’s All Around Cowgirl, on a 6.82 on one go.
Akita also topped the Steer Undecorating event on a 6.86, almost two seconds ahead of Rhonda Kaui (8.27). Alannah Morris, recovering from a fall earlier in the day, followed at 15.12. Janine Hashitate (15.44) and Kim Medeiros (15.93) rounded out the leaderboards.
Akita ended the day in second of the Second D in the 3D Pole Bending event on a 25.268.
As in the Barrels, Akita was bested by Ludington-Braun who captured her second top spot on a 22.355 go. Courtney Medeiros (23.729) and Tami Yamamoto (23.9077) rounded out the First D.
Tierra Rapozo posted a 24.84 go to best Akita in the Second D.
Nancy McMahon (26.433), Janine Hashitate (26.875), Shan Mundon (27.308), Shan Mundon (27.367) and Laureen Naumu-Balocan (27.4) rounded out the Third D.
