WAIMEA — Kaua‘i High School took both the girls and boys Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation Wrestling championships held at the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea. “Points are based on weight clases,” said Kaua‘i High School athletic director Ross Shimabukuro. “We had
WAIMEA — Kaua‘i High School took both the girls and boys Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation Wrestling championships held at the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea.
“Points are based on weight clases,” said Kaua‘i High School athletic director Ross Shimabukuro. “We had six of the 10 weight classes in the girls division, and seven of the 12 weight classes in the boys division.”
Winners of the different weight classes will advance to the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state championships which will be held on Friday and Saturday on O‘ahu.
Coach Mac Pigott of Westside Wrestling Kaua‘i, the KIF tournament director, said the KIF is allowed one seed for each weight class for both the boys and girls division at the state championships.
Kaua‘i’s Kaisa Ishikawa, recipient of the Director’s Award for sportsmanship, will be the KIF seed in the 97 pound class, being joined by Ku‘uipo Rapozo in the 101 pound class.
Other Red Raider grapplers include Courtney Brock, recipient of the Director’s Award for most improved, in the 109 pound class, Elizabeth Oshiro in the 113 pound class, Nika Tapucol in the 130 Pound class and Sanoe Kalama in the 135 pound class.
Marissa Hesapene, undefeated through the KIF season, will be in the 105 pound class, representing Waimea High School.
Hesapene will be joined by Johnna Kapili Akana, recipient of the Director’s Award for both most improved and sportsmanship, in the 117 pound class.
Kapa‘a High School will be sending two girls, Shiori Leger in the 155 pound class and Kristina Ragusante, recipient of the Director’s Award for sportsmanship, in the 220 pound class.
Keenan Kaya will represent Kaua‘i High School in the 108 pound class, followed by Bryson Yoro in the 101 pound class.
Shawn Taguas, recipient of the Director’s Award for most improved for Kaua‘i, had his hands full, having to get past Waimea’s Ikaika Vidinha and Kapa‘a’s Ronnie Perono to earn the right to the 140 pound class.
Brothers Nick, recipient of the Director’s Award for Sportsmanship, and Mike Gabriel will be representing the 152 pound and 160 pound classes, respectively.
Kapono Lopes will represent Kaua‘i in the 171 pound class and Kahiau Rogers in the 189 pound class round out the Red Raider representation.
Waimea picked up three weight divisions, Nicholas Cariffe getting the 130 pound class, Charlie Kahepu‘u in the 215 pound class and Ian Garcia earning the spot in the 285 pound class after getting past Kaua‘i’s Hanale Reynolds and Kapa‘a’s Steven McCabe, getting the Director’s Award for most improved for Kapa‘a, and Colton Christianson.
Kapa‘a’s Elijah Koga will be in the 135 pound class, being joined by Storm Haire in the 145 pound class.
Fans got their money’s worth on the mats as Taguas, worked his way to the top of a four-wrestler field in the 140 pound class,
Taguas opening against Vidinha in a 15-6 decision.
Perono, opening against Philip Zaviryukha of Island School, ended a seesaw battle in the third round on a pin with just six seconds remaining.
He faced Taguas in the final, both wrestlers going to a 5-5 tie at the end of the first round before Taguas stayed ahead to win the bout on an 11-7 decision.
Haire defeated teammate Larry Rupert, recipient of the Director’s Award for sportsmanship, and Island School’s David Caminos, recipient of the Director’s Award for sportsmanship, in a three-wrestler round robin for the KIF title, Caminos getting second place.
Nick Gabriel had to get past Waimea’s Athens Acosta and Austin Cook of Island School for the 152 pound title, Acosta and Cook going back and forth until the third round when Acosta won by pin.
Mike Gabriel, battling Waimea’s Kala Dusenberry offered up one of the exciting cards on the day, Dusenberry entering the ring with two straight wins over Mike.
Mike set the pace early with a takedown and near fall, but Dusenberry fought hard, ending the first round with a 4-1 Mike advantage.
But Dusenberry closed the gap and entering the third round, Mike was up 8-7 and was able to hold on for the win.
Closing off the competition, the inaugural KIF wrestling season ended with the host Waimea High School cheerleaders offering the full house a presentation followed by the presentation of six KIF senior wrestlers and the Director’s Award.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
