LIHUE — Rain was on the minds of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation air rifle teams as the season got underway Wednesday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and at the Kauai High School range. “We are trying to beat the rain,”
LIHUE — Rain was on the minds of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation air rifle teams as the season got underway Wednesday at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and at the Kauai High School range.
“We are trying to beat the rain,” said Kauai coach Keith Hornos. “So far, things have been moving along smoothly.”
Rain, inconsistent weather and its effects on equipment forced the cancellation of the preseason match at Island School last week, and Sean Magoun, the Island School coach, expressed concern over the weather. Magoun’s concerns moved the match from the scheduled Island School range to the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.
“Everything went fine,” said Waimea coach Victor Aguilar.
Waimea and Kauai high school teams picked up wins during the opening matches of the KIF air riflery season.
The Menehune men outscored the Voyager men, 1129-996 led by Keane Caberto who posted a 244 (90 prone, 69 standing, 85 kneeling). The Waimea girls finished with 1,209 points led by Robyn Acob who blasted a 262 (90-83-89) over the Island School girls who got 225 (80-63-82) from Risa Whetsel. Top score for the Voyager men went to Scott Kilcoyne at 220 (90-72-58).
“This looks like it’s going to be another tight year,” Aguilar said. “Kauai High School looks like they’re shooting well again. We’ll see what happens next week when they come to the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.”
Kauai High School finished by sweeping Kapaa as the rains started coming down and the parking area filled for the evening’s volleyball game.
Returning shooter Brooke Hornos finished a point shy of carding the day’s best round for the girls at 261 (92-85-84) despite getting a solid performance in the prone position. That effort led the Red Raider girls to an 1,166-1,071 edge over the Kapaa girls who got top scores from Janice Manique at 228 (75-72-81).
On the boys’ range, Kauai finished with 1,211 points over Kapaa’s 1,007, led by Alec Greer carding a 266 (89-83-94). Kapaa boys were led by Ian Kimura shooting a 230 (82-64-84).
Kauai coach Marcela Hornos said thanks should go to parents and spectators who come out to support the athletes.
“It is amazing how much this sport has grown, and the spectators we have,” Marcela said. “We had an alumni come out, and he was amazed at how many spectators from both sides turned out, and how the athletes get treated with a pre-match and after-match meal and drinks. He was also blown away by the scores at the start of the season after remembering how, just a few years ago, they could only dream of shooting 250-plus at the end of the season. These kids come out at 261, and 266.”
Ian Versammy, the Kapaa coach, said the Warriors also enjoyed a large turnout this year, with about half of the participants capable of shooting 200-plus.
