Freshman Kaulana Wa‘alani-Arroyo finished his freshman season on the gridiron on a high note. The graduate of Waimea High School finished the season with 54 tackles for the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco football team, said Mike Walton, co-Defensive Coordinator
Freshman Kaulana Wa‘alani-Arroyo finished his freshman season on the gridiron on a high note.
The graduate of Waimea High School finished the season with 54 tackles for the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco football team, said Mike Walton, co-Defensive Coordinator for the Bronco.
“Kaulana had a solid year, and has a chance to be really good,” Walton said in an e-mail. “He started nine games and split time with another freshman, so the stats are pretty good for sharing time.”
Of the 54 tackles, Wa‘alani-Arroyo marked three for losses, had two quarterback hurries, and four pass break-ups.
Additionally, on the NMMI Website, Wa‘alani-Arroyo is credited with three punt returns, the second highest on the team, for 41 yards, averaging 13.7 yards a return. His longest return was for 37 yards.
Wa‘alani-Arroyo’s second place tied with Sonny Duran who had three returns for a total of 21 yards, or a 7-yard average.
NMMI’s top punt returner was Xan Mangum who finished with five returns for 32 yards, averaging 6.4 yards a return.
Mangum, a wide receiver for the Broncos, was one of three first team NMMI selections for the Western States Football League’s All-Conference team.
The Broncos finished 3-8 overall, 3-5 in the WSFL.
Wa‘alani-Arroyo is also credited with one kick return for seven yards.
“Kaulana did a great job of coming in and learning a new defensive scheme and was a leader in the secondary,” Walton said. “He will start the spring as the starter at strong safety and we look for him to have a big year next season.”
Visit www.nmmi.edu for more information.
