Kauai Interscholastic Federation wrestlers — Coby Lawrence and Braeden Jensen — each finished with two wins and two losses at the 2017 Officials Scholarship Tournament that wrapped up Saturday on Oahu.
“This was a tough year for the KIF wrestlers at the Officials Tournament,” said Coach Mac Pigott, the KIF wrestling tournament director. “It was a tough tournament. This is the second year out of six that KIF wrestlers failed to make it to the podium at this prestigious preseason tournament.”
Kauai High School coach Paul Shindell, although disappointed with the final results, was optimistic.
“One highlight for the island of Kauai wrestlers came from freshman Red Raider Coby Lawrence,” Shindell said. “Coby won two tough matches at the tournament, and the fact that he is just starting as a freshman wrestler made it all that much more exciting. All of the Kauai wrestlers showed heart and fire in them which is great to see.”
Pigott said this week, KIF wrestlers will be involved with the Moanalua Holiday Duals Tournament on Oahu.
“The season is early, and the KIF wrestlers continue to train hard,” he said. “This week, there will be an All-Garden Isle team featuring an all star team from the KIF member schools to enter the Duals format tournament. Wrestlers from Waimea, Island School, Kauai, and Kapaa will line up wearing Team Garden Isle shirts against high school teams from Hawaii and the mainland in a two-day event at the Moanalua High School, Wednesday and Thursday.”
Following the Moanalua tournament, an all-girls tournament, the Pa‘ani Challenge will contest, Jan. 3 and 4 at the Punahou Schools on Oahu. The KIF tournament season opens Jan. 6 at Island School.
The KIF Championships and state qualifying meet will contest Feb.3 at Waimea High School with the KIF Champion in each boys and girls weight class earning a berth to the state championships which will take place Feb. 14 and 15 at the Neal Blaidesll Arena in Honolulu.
