PUHI — The cold bug that plagued Kauai Interscholastic Federation wrestling last week still hovered around the Island School gym on Saturday. “For the second week, colds and injuries kept participation low,” said Mac Pigott, KIF wrestling tournament director. “Saturday,
PUHI — The cold bug that plagued Kauai Interscholastic Federation wrestling last week still hovered around the Island School gym on Saturday.
“For the second week, colds and injuries kept participation low,” said Mac Pigott, KIF wrestling tournament director. “Saturday, wrestlers hope to be healthy and injury-free for a chance to compete for the league championship and for state championship qualification.”
Pigott said the KIF gets one entry in each weight class for both boys and girls into the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state championships on Oahu.
“Saturday is do or die for the KIF wrestlers,” Pigott said. “Those who win in their divisions not only earn the 2014 KIF championship, they also earn the No. 5 seed in the HHSAA state tournament.”
During the KIF wrestling match hosted by Island School, 30 wrestlers weighed in from all four KIF member schools leading to nine individual competition brackets.
Kauai High School earned the lion’s share of hardware, walking off with three gold medals and two silver medals.
Waimea earned three gold medals and a silver medal, Kapaa finished with three silver medals, and Island School walked off with a bronze medal.
In the girls’ arena, Kauai topped the field with two gold medals, two silver and a bronze while Kapaa walked off with a gold medal and Waimea left with a silver medal.
The KIF wrestling championships are at the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea with the first matches starting at 10 a.m.
The HHSAA state wrestling championships are scheduled for Feb. 28 and Mar. 1 at the Neal Blaisdell Center on Oahu.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Girls 121 pounds
1. Sanoe Kalama (Kau)
2. Nika Tapucol (Kau)
Girls 155 pounds
1. Shiori Leger (Kap)
2. Jessica Dinnie (Kau)
Boys 126 pounds
1. Kristopher Alcos (Kau)
2. Jamin Lopez (Kap)
Boys 138 pounds
1. Madison Leanio (Kau)
2. Elia Leone (Kap)
3. Zach Beydoun (IS)
Boys 145 pounds
1. Nikolay Cariffe (Wai)
2. Michael Gabriel (Kau)
3. John Kahananui (Kau)
Boys 152 pounds
1. Nicholas Gabriel (Kau)
2. Ronnie Perono (Kap)
3. Athens Acosta (Wai)
Boys 170 pounds
1. Andrew Evans (Wai)
2. Raycyn Aviguetero (Kau)
Boys 285 pounds
1. Ian Garcia (Wai)
2. Charlie ‘CJ’ Kahepuu (Wai)
3. Patelo Paseka (Kap)
