PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita left for college on a winning note after capturing All Around Cowgirl honors at the Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu. Sandra was one of two seniors who were
PO‘IPU — Sandra Akita left for college on a winning note after capturing All Around Cowgirl honors at the Kaua‘i All Girl Rodeo Association event at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu.
Sandra was one of two seniors who were honored before leaving for Weber State University in Utah. She was joined by Hallie Cristobal in the honor circle. Cristobal went out on a high note after topping the dally team event with partner Kim Medeiros on a 23.78/2 average.
Cristobal also finished third in the 2nd D of the 3D barrel racing on a 20.049 go, and fifth in the 3rd D of 3D pole bending on a 26.843 go.
Medeiros, the KAGRA secretary, also teamed with Janine Wilson in the dally team event to finish fifth on a 10.74/1 go.
Kim Medeiros topped the goat tying event on a 24.223 go, earning Fast Time honors in that event as well. She rounded out her day on a fourth finish in the 1st D of the barrel racing and locked up second and third places in the 3rd D in the pole bending event on go’s of 26.114 and 26.565, respectively.
Akita, en route to being named All Around Cowgirl, was second in the hotly-contested 1st D of barrel racing, first in the 1st D of pole bending, first in the steer undecorating event before teaming with mom Karen Akita for second place in the dally team event, the duo ending with a 29.11/2 average.
During the barrels run, Sandra was edged out by less than .5 second, stopping the clock at 18.334 below the top run of Cheyanne Tannery’s 18.184.
Sandra’s run was .04 faster than Coralyn Murayama, finishing the event as Reserve All Around Cowgirl, who filled the No. 3 spot on an 18.370, just .017 faster than Kim Medeiros’ 18.337. Britni Ludington-Braun rounded out the 1st D leaders on an 18.474 go.
During the 1st D of pole bending, Sandra stopped the clock at 21.983 over Cheyanne Tannery (22.319) and Nancy McMahon (23.804).
Sandra topped the steer undecorating on a 4.21 go, just a little more than half a second faster than Kristyn Vasconcelles’ 4.84 go and Cora Murayama’s 30.716 run for third place.
Cheyanne Tannery (34.816), Trish Lorenzo (37.958) rounded out the leaderboard, Kim Medeiros getting the nod for Fast Time in the event.
Eliza Vierra, the daughter of Kaua‘i Ocean Safety Bureau supervisor Kalani Vierra, topped the 2nd D of barrels, breaking a sub-20 19.961 go.
Robin Medeiros (20.026), Cristobal (20.049), Rosanne Shimogawa (20.206) and Shan Lara (20.357) rounded out the leaderboard.
Sierra Medeiros led the 3rd D of barrels on a 21.200 go, followed by Janine Wilson (21.26), Karen Akita (21.316), Debbie Bail (21.465) and Ho‘olai Ludington (21.577).
Marti Snyder topped the 2nd D of pole bending on a 24.13 go followed by Gayle Thompson (24.342), Kristyn Vasconcelles (24.496), Marti Snyder (24.833) and Christina De La Fuente (24.87).
Shan Lara topped the 3rd D of poles on a 26.056 followed by Kim Medeiros (26.144), Kim Medeiros (26.295), Debbie Bail (26.565) and Cristobal (26.843).
Following Kim Medeiros in the goat tying, Alexis Vasconcelles filled in the No. 2 spot on a 26.220 go followed by Cora Murayama (30.716), Cheyanne Tannery (34.816) and Trish Lorenzo (37.958).
Marti Snyder may have copped Fast Time honors in the steer undecorating with a 2.07 go, but Sandra topped the event at 4.21 followed by Kristyn Vasconcelles (4.84), Cora Murayama (5.56), Rhonda Refamonte (8.63) and Janine Wilson (14.91).
Kristyn Vasconcelles topped the breakway roping event on a 7.74 go while capturing Fast Time for the event. She was followed by Marti Snyder (9.89), Britni Ludington-Braun (14.18) and Cheree Rapozo (14.24).
Following the teams of Cristobal and Kim Medeiros and Sandra and Karen Akita, Cora Murayama and Britni Ludington-Braun marked a 9.86/1 go, earning Fast Time honors in the dally team followed by Sandra and Joyce Miranda (10.45/1) and Janine Wilson and Kim Medeiros (10.74/1).
The final KAGRA rodeo will be on Sept. 16 starting at 10 a.m. at the CJM Country Stables.
“That should be an exciting event as we have some close races for buckles, and for the saddle,” Kim Medeiros said.
There is no charge for admission and a lunch wagon is on hand to whet appetites for local grinds.
For more information visit www.kauaiallgirlsrodeo.com
