KAPAA — The cold bug contained the Kauai Interscholastic Federation to the smallest tournament in the season Saturday at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapaa. “That was evident Saturday,” said Mac Pigott, the KIF wrestling tournament director. “Just 40 total
KAPAA — The cold bug contained the Kauai Interscholastic Federation to the smallest tournament in the season Saturday at the Bernice Hundley Gym in Kapaa.
“That was evident Saturday,” said Mac Pigott, the KIF wrestling tournament director. “Just 40 total wrestlers weighed in. But the action was exciting from the opening bout until the final match. There were 44 bouts to give the crowd another great day of wrestling.”
Haiden Genegabuas Hirakawa of Kauai High School racked up a 5-0 record entering the fourth tournament of the year. Waimea sophomore Corey Agena broke that streak when he reversed the takedown in the final 30 seconds of the opening period to score a fall.
Agena was wrestling in a two-wrestler special match up, finishing tops in the 120 pound class, but slipping to a third place finish in the 126 pound class.
Kapaa wrestler Braeden Jensen had been controlled by Waimea’s Athens Acosta in the opening matches this season only to come back with a 17-1 decision in the 160 pound class. Jensen’s win gave him a second place over the Menehune, but not strong enough to get him past Kauai’s Madison Leanio.
“Overall, there was good wrestling with lot of action and some very close matches,” Pigott said. “Saturday is the KIF championships and the state championships qualifying tournament. As the matches Saturday demonstrated, there could be upsets. In high school wrestling, it is the championship tournament that counts — a wrestler may be undefeated all season but if they lose at the KIF championships, they stay home and someone else heads to states.”
Pigott noted that Kauai High School continues to be the dominant force in the girls division, and is very strong in the boys division heading to Saturday’s KIF championships at the Bernice Hundley Gym where title matches begin from 10 a.m.
Results of Jan. 30 Wrestling
117 pound girls: Justice Funamura-Sasil (Kau), Anna Malia Santos (Kap), Kaylin Espada (Kap)
122 pound girls: Nika Tapucol (Kau), Shanayah Marshall (Kap)
127 pound girls: Halle Sakai (Kau), Audrey Warner (Kau), Aliana Ho (IS)
145 pound girls: Sarah Matsunaga (Kau), Tiffany Applegate (Kau)
168 pound girls: Brianna Kaneshiro (Kau), Jessica Dinnie (Kau), Bernadette Lindsey (Kap)
120 pound boys: Corey Agena (Wai), Haiden Genegabuas Hirakawa (Kau)
126 pound boys: Naikoa Simao (Wai), Aukahi Kalama (Kau), Corey Agena (Wai)
138 pound boys: Raffy Perono (Kap), Matthew Tamanaha (Kau), Benymar Tapucol (Kau)
145 pound boys: Bryson Yoro (Kau), Ryan Joel (Kap), James Lindsey (Kap)
160 pound boys: Madison Leanio (Kau), Braeden Jensen (Kap), Athens Acosta (Wai)
170 pound boys: Raycyn Aviguetero (Kau), Eosin Chelius (IS), Izaia Nitta (Wai)
195 pound boys: Connor Donaher (Wai), Andrew Evans (Wai), Kenneth Niheu (IS)
