Records fall in KIF Championship qualifying

LIHU‘E —Three Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation records fell in six events run during the KIF Championship qualifying track and field meet, Thursday at Vidinha Stadium.

Kaua‘i discus thrower Michael Kahoekapu-Cruz, strong throughout the KIF track season, flipped the discus to a record-breaking 142 feet, 8 inches, breaking the record of 142’6” set in 1999 by Kealii Aguilar, who coincidentally, was among the KIF staff working the Boys Discus event.

But that record was short-lived as Kapa‘a’s Kevin Marshall Adkisson followed with a throw of 151’3” to take first place in that event.

“Michael must have held the record for less than two minutes,” said Kaua‘i coach Richard Matsumoto following the qualifying event, Thursday. “He broke the record and was followed by Kevin who went out and broke Michael’s new record.”

With the record-breaking toss, Adkisson surpassed the state standard of 148’5” while Kahoekapu-Cruz, finishing second in the event, surpassed the state consideration standard of 136’01.” Third-place finisher Scott Sasan tossed the discus for 137’5” to also garner a state consideration throw.

William Viliami Blake of Kapa‘a (130-04) and Aaron Victorino of Kaua‘i (117-02) rounded out the top five finishers in the event.

“I think I’m around fourth or fifth in the state right now,” Adkisson said following his event. “I heard there were guys throwing 154’ and 158,’ so today’s throw is about fourth.”

Adkisson said he needs to work on quickening his spin in preparation for the Island Movers Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Track and Field 2010 Championships, which will be held May 14-15 at the Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama on O‘ahu.

Adkisson’s dad was proud of Kevin’s accomplishment, noting to Kaua‘i Area Complex Superintendant Bill Arakaki that he had built a circle at their home so Kevin could practice.

Kaua‘i freshman Kawehi Louis-Diamond also broke a record, running in the second heat of the Girls 100 Hurdles event.

“She shattered — no annihilated — the record,” said Marlo Louis-Medeiros, Kawehi’s mom and holder of the KIF record in the 200 Meter Dash. “And, she’s going to do it again, tomorrow because she tripped on the second-last hurdle and still broke the record.”

Louis-Diamond came off the blocks clean, vying with Waimea’s Holly Kaiakapu at the first hurdles. But that was as close as Kaiakapu got as Louis-Diamond surged forward and by the fourth hurdle, was unchallenged in the field, her 15.70 run marred only by the rattling of a hit No. 9 hurdle.

That 15.70 run bested the state qualifying standard of 16.64 and broke the KIF record of 16.1 set in 1986 by Waimea runner Melissa Pacheco.

Waimea senior Jayme Jacinto, running in the first heat of the event, also put in a state qualifying run, stopping the clocks at 16.33. Kaua‘i runner Kim Liberato stopped the clock at 17.09 for third overall in the event, bettering the state consideration standard of 17.44.

Sierra Riemer of Kapa‘a (18.62), Alexis Aguano of Kaua‘i (18.19) and Kaiakapu (18.09) rounded out the leaderboard.

Kapa‘a’s Rachael Hinkel, running against Louis-Diamond in the first of two heats in the Girls 300 Meter Hurdles, earned a state time with her 48.94 performance. That run was strongly challenged by Louis-Diamond who put on a final-stretch surge, tumbling at the finish line, but finishing at 49.00, under the state standard of 49.19.

Jacinto, running almost unchallenged in the second heat, finished second overall with a state qualifying time of 49.19. Riemer (54.11) and Kaiakapu (55.54) rounded out the leaderboard of that event.

The athletes return to Vidinha Stadium this afternoon for the KIF Championship Track and Field Meet where Louis-Diamond gets a second chance in the Girls 100 Meter Hurdles.

“You’re going to get a lot of rest, tonight,” Marlo told Kawehi. “Rest, rest, rest! Bust (the record)! Bust! Bust!”

The first events are scheduled to start at 4 p.m., and the public is reminded there is an admission charge to the KIF Championship meet.