Those who won their weight class at the Kauai Interscholastic Federation championship meet and qualified for states were named this year’s league wrestling all stars. Kauai High made up a bulk of the all star list with nine girls and
Those who won their weight class at the Kauai Interscholastic Federation championship meet and qualified for states were named this year’s league wrestling all stars.
Kauai High made up a bulk of the all star list with nine girls and five boys.
“On the girls side, we had a lot of seniors. It gave us a pretty strong turnout. They had good energy, and we had a fun year,” said Kauai High wrestling coach Matt Ballard.
He said the boys have a young team.
“We’re kind of rebuilding,” Ballard said. “Girls side, we’re going to have to rebuild for next year.”
He added: “Some of them, they turned out for their first year. Their first year was this one year of wrestling. It looks like we had a good time. The end of season survey that the school did with the athletes, 100 percent of the kids said that they will be wrestling again next year. So, that was great. So, the kids are into it.”
Kapaa had two girls, sophomore Anna Malia Santos and freshman Bernadette Lindsey, and one boy, freshman Raffy Perono, who were given all star honors.
“They were all first-year wrestlers, and they all were lucky enough to be naturally talented,” said Kapaa coach Larry Richardson. “It was their first year, but they worked hard. And that brought them to the state tournament.”
Waimea had five boys on this year’s all star list — freshmen Naikoa Simao and Noah Espanto, junior Andrew Evans, and seniors Connor Donaher and Athens Acosta.
Waimea wrestling coach C.J. Threat couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
Island School had one boy, sophomore Ian Penner, in the list of wrestling standouts.
“He’s definitely a hard worker and always had a good attitude,” Island School coach Erin Cobb Adams said of Penner.
KIF wrestling all stars
Girls
102 pounds: Kaisa Ishikawa, Kauai, senior
107 pounds: Jordyn Kahananui, Kauai, sophomore
112 pounds: Justice Funamura-Sasil, Kauai, freshman
117 pounds: Anna Malia Santos, Kapaa, sophomore
122 pounds: Nika Tapucol, Kauai, senior
127 pounds: Halle Sakai, Kauai, sophomore
132 pounds: Sierra Kalama, Kauai, senior
138 pounds: Sheena Juliano, Kauai, senior
145 pounds: Sarah Matsunaga, Kauai, senior
155 pounds: Kimberly Yago, Kauai, senior
168 pounds: Bernadette Lindsey, Kapaa, freshman
Boys
113 pounds: Ian Penner, Island School, sophomore
120 pounds: Aukahi Kalama, Kauai, freshman
126 pounds: Naikoa Simao, Waimea, freshman
132 pounds: Noah Espanto, Waimea, freshman
138 pounds: Raffy Perono, Kapaa, freshman
145 pounds: Bryson Yoro, Kauai, senior
152 pounds: Madison Leanio, Kauai, junior
160 pounds: Athens Acosta, Waimea, senior
170 pounds: Raycyn Aviguetero, Kauai, senior
182 pounds: Micah Cardinez, Kauai, sophomore
195 pounds: Connor Donaher, Waimea, senior
220 pounds: Andrew Evans, Waimea, junior
