Kauai wrestler Madison Leanio was the sole Kauai Interscholastic Federation grappler to make it to the championship podium Saturday during the Chevron Hawaii High School Athletic Association state wrestling championships at the Blaisdell Arena on Oahu. Mac Pigott, the KIF
Kauai wrestler Madison Leanio was the sole Kauai Interscholastic Federation grappler to make it to the championship podium Saturday during the Chevron Hawaii High School Athletic Association state wrestling championships at the Blaisdell Arena on Oahu.
Mac Pigott, the KIF wrestling tournament director, said 21 KIF wrestlers from Kauai, Kapaa and Waimea high schools were entered into the 2016 state championships, but Leanio was the only one to earn a spot on the podium.
“Leanio went 2-0 on the first day of the tournament, advancing to the semifinals in the 152 pound division Saturday,” Pigott said. “He met up with the No. 2 seed from Iolani, K.J. Pascua. Despite scoring quickly and taking an early lead in the opening period, Leanio could not hold back the powerful Iolani grappler, losing to Pascua by fall in the third period. Fighting back through the consolation side of the bracket, Leanio finished the tournament with a 17-2 technical fall over Kaleo Miyasaki of Hilo for the fifth-place finish.”
The Kauai High School boys finished 25th at the tournament, which wrapped up Saturday.
Kauai led the KIF representation with 12 points to finish in a three-way tie for 25th place with Castle and Waipahu high schools.
Waimea High School secured two points for a three-way tie for 40th place with Kalaheo and King Kekaulike high schools. Kapaa finished with no points for a nine-way tie for 43rd place.
The Kauai High School girls fared a bit better on the mats, finishing in 22nd place with 14 points, just a half point ahead of the Farrington wahine grapplers. Kapaa girls finished with no points for an eight-way tie for 42nd place.
“The KIF wrestling program continues to improve,” Pigott said. “Just four years since the league sanctioned the sport, KIF wrestlers have made it to the championship podium for the third straight year. With a lot of freshmen and sophomore wrestlers at the four KIF member schools, the future looks bright for the program.”
Kauai’s Kaisa Ishikawa, wrestling in the G102 pound class, dropped her opening match to Xiaolin Mai before advancing to a third place at best on an 8-3 decision over Isabel Masiglat of Mililani. The decision moved her to a fall over Nicoelle Nishimura of Aiea to face Teura Keli‘iholokai who got past Ishikawa on a 4-0 decision.
Kauai’s Justice Funamura-Sasil, wrestling in the G112 pound class, dropped two straight, being beat by Kaua Albino-Kaupu on a fall 14 ticks into the match, and then dropping to Katie Reyes by a fall 34 seconds in.
Kapaa’s Anna Malia Santos gave Mikele Pokaka‘a a harder time, grappling in the G117 weight class for 1:35 before succumbing on a fall. That moved the Lady Warrior to face Joy Pajardo who eliminated the Kapaa grappler on a fall 32 ticks in.
Kauai’s Nika Tapucol, wrestling in the G122 weight class, also dropped her opener to Netanya Kang with a fall 1:37 into the bout. She succumbed to Kira Borengasser on a 4-2 decision.
Red Raider Sierra Kalama went long against Risa Higa of McKinley, but eventually fell to the Tiger, 5:31 into the bout. Kalama enjoyed a bye in the consolation round, but lost to Jenna Awana in the second round on a forfeit.
Sheena Juliano was a Kauai wrestler who advanced in the G138 pound class, taking Iwa Waorthington by fall 3:27 into the bout. But her hopes for the belt were crushed by Taysia Kano who advanced following a fall over the Red Raider 1:49 into the match, sending Juliano to face Kayla Spencer of Castle High School in the consolation semifinals where she was eliminated by fall 1:17 into the bout.
Kauai’s Sarah Matsunaga, grapping in the G145 pound class, suffered two straight falls, dropping to Jaqueline Fuamatu and Heavenli Sardinha.
Kauai’s Kimberly Yago in the G155 pound class enjoyed an opening bye before falling to Erika Larson 1:22 into the quarter finals. Yago was pitted against Rae Cardosa who dropped the Red Raider on a fall 1:32 into the consolation second round match.
Kapaa’s Bernadette Lindsey also dropped two straight matches in the G168 pound class, being felled by Nika Paogofie 1:36 in the opening bout before being ousted by Tyzandria Wells 1:53 into the consolation round.
On the boys’ mats, Kauai’s Aukahi Kalama battled in the B120 weight class, but dropped two straight, the first to Raulin Santiago before coming back to battle Charles Freitas who eliminated the Red Raider 2:17 into the consolation round.
Waimea’s Naikoa Simao made his appearance on the B126 pound class, but dropped two straight, being eliminated by Jericho Manning 1:58 into the opening bout and 3:39 into the consolation round by Noah Wusstig.
Waimea’s Noah Espanto went into the B132 weight class, but dropped two straight, falling to Antonio Ruiz 1:03 into the opening match and 29 ticks into the consolation round by Jacob Montes.
Kapaa’s Raffy Perono went into the B138 weight class, holding off Alex Mimura of Mid Pacific Institute for 2:55 of the opening bout before dropping on a fall. Perono moved to the consolation round where he was eliminated by Talan Nakamura on a Major Decision, 13-3.
Kauai’s Bryson Yoro, grappling in the B145 pound class, held his own until being dropped by Aston Murakami 4:24 in the opening round. Yoro moved to the consolation round, beating Ronin Ganoot by decision, 8-3 before being felled by Jaron Pagaduan 4:46 into the second consolation round.
Kauai’s Madison Leanio, grappling in the B152 pound class, fared better, moving past his opening round by felling Trevor Alvarado 3:09 into the match. Leanio advanced to face Jacob Lealamanua and took that match on a fall 2:57 into the bout to be pitted against KJ Pascua of Iolani in the championship semifinals. No results of that match were available at press time.
Athens Acosta of Waimea took to the B160 pound mats, dropping a heartbreaker by decision, 10-9 to Maiaku Mahookaulana. Acosta then faced Liam Meyer who took the consolation round by fall 2:29 into the bout.
Kauai’s Raycyn Aviguetero filled in the B170 pound class, dropping his opening round by fall to Kaeo Burley 3:31 into the bout. Alize Wright eliminated Aviguetero 2:31 into the consolation round by fall.
Kauai’s Micah Cardinez was in the B182 pound class where he suffered two falls, first to Taulelei Toledo 3:43 into the opening round, and being eliminated by Chadrach Gushi 2:49 into the consolation round.
Waimea’s Conner Donaher dropped a decision to Jess Kanongataa, 12-6 in the B195 pound class. Moving to the consolation round, Donaher was eliminated by forfeiting his match to Ethan Ramos.
Waimea’s Andrew Evans advanced past the opening round of the B220 weight class, advancing following a 6-4 decision over Chris Kubota.
But the Menehune was taken out of the title fight in the quarterfinals after falling to James Sullivan 1:05 into the bout. Moving to the second consolation round, Evans was eliminated on a 4-1 decision to Makananui Ka‘ahanui.
