WAIMEA — Nikolay Cariffe beat out Michael Gabriel 4-2 and Andrew Evans came from behind to defeat Raycyn Aviguetero to swing the Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys wrestling title to Waimea on Saturday during the KIF wrestling championship at the Clem
WAIMEA — Nikolay Cariffe beat out Michael Gabriel 4-2 and Andrew Evans came from behind to defeat Raycyn Aviguetero to swing the Kauai Interscholastic Federation boys wrestling title to Waimea on Saturday during the KIF wrestling championship at the Clem Gomes Gym.
Kauai’s Hanale Kane-Reynolds and Waimea’s Ian Garcia jockeyed back and forth for the lead before Garcia edged out Kane-Reynolds 3-2 to ensure a Waimea grip on the boys’ title.
Kauai girls clearly outnumbered the field to repeat another year as girls champions.
Kapaa High School had two girls on the mat and Waimea and Island School had no girls in their stables.
With just two girls in the stable, Kapaa junior Shiori Leger heated up the audience when she met Kauai sophomore Jessica Dinnie in the 155-pound class.
“The pair had the gym on its feet,” said Coach Mac Pigott, the KIF wrestling tournament director. “Leger got the win, handing the dominant Kauai girls team its only loss at the league championships.”
Kapaa junior Anna Marie Lopez was in her first wrestling match of the season, going up against one of three wrestlers ranked by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
Lopez came in strong, but the defending Kaisa Ishikawa prevailed to lock up her second KIF title in the 97-pound class in just as many years.
Overall, Kauai girls walked out of the Clem Gomes Gym with five gold medals and a silver medal, while Kapaa savored its gold and silver medal.
On the boys’ mats, Waimea finished with seven gold medals and a bronze while Kauai, the defending KIF champion, settled for four gold medals and three silver medals.
Kapaa finished with a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze, while Island School ended the day with a pair of bronze medals.
“I am proud of our wrestlers for persevering through the season to improve continuously,” said Erin Cobb Adams, the Island School coach. “All of the boys are second-year returnees, and it has been great to see each of them develop. I am so impressed by the overall improvement in strength, athleticism, and technique of all of the Kauai wrestlers.”
Following the meet, Waimea’s Cariffe was recognized as the Most Outstanding Wrestler after being voted on by all of the coaches.
“This year’s KIF championship was a great finale to a very competitive season,” said Rich Cappellino, Waimea’s head coach. “I am extremely proud of all the wrestlers from across the island of Kauai who participated. Their heart and dedication to this great sport are what made this season so successful. Congratulations to all the seniors, and best of luck to Team KIF at the state tournament.”
Ishikawa topped the 97-pound class for the girls, with Courtney Brock finding gold in the 109-pound class. Nika Tapucol wore gold in the 117-pound class, with Sanoe Kalama getting gold in the 121-pound class.
Kapaa’s Leger got the gold in the 155-pound class, with Dinnie settling for silver.
Kalalei Rogers grappled Kalea McGurn for gold in the 175-pound class, both girls wearing the red for Kauai.
Pigott said all of the gold medal winners are KIF champions and qualify for a berth at the HHSAA championships, which will be held Feb. 28 and March 1 on Oahu.
“Congratulations to the KIF wrestlers who fought tough matches Saturday to become ‘Team Kauai,’” said Tesai Seamster, the Kapaa coach. “Let’s represent the KIF in two weeks at the state tournament and let them know we are here.”
On the boys’ mats, Kauai’s Kristopher Alcos wore the gold in the 113-pound class, with Jamin Lopez getting gold in the 120-pound class.
Kauai’s Bryson Yoro was adorned with gold in the 132-pound class, and Madison Leanio, claiming an undefeated season, captured gold in the 138-pound class after besting Elia Leone and Zach Beydoun, who got bronze.
Cariffe took gold after defeating Michael Gabriel in the 145-pound class. Kapaa’s Kainalu Gandia finished with bronze.
Kauai’s Nicholas Gabriel prevailed over Kapaa’s Ronnie Perono for gold in the 152-pound class with Athens Acosta getting bronze in the class.
Evans got the gold in the 160-pound class over Aviguetero and Austin Cook being award the bronze.
Kala Dusenberry-Lee was adorned with gold in the 170-pound class while Javan Torres got gold in the 182-pound class, and Waimea’s Charlie ‘CJ’ Kahepuu got gold in the 195-pound class.
Garcia took the gold in the 220-pound class over Kane-Reynolds and Kohana Rapozo claimed the gold in the 285-pound class over Kapaa’s Patelo Paseka and Zeb Martinez.
“Waimea boys’ team had a good year,” said Matt Ballard, Kaua’s head coach. “They had a tough group of boys who came out and wrestled hard. Now, we focus solely on the state championship tournament, where all of our individual champions will be representing the island.”
Pigott said 12 boy and six girl KIF wrestlers will be seeded at the 2014 HHSAA state wrestling championships, Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
