LIHUE — Kauai High School athlete Wailea Edwards topped the list of 11 athletes making state qualifying marks during the third Kauai Interscholastic Federation qualifying track and field meet held Thursday evening at the Vidinha Stadium.
Edwards made her mark by hitting qualifying marks in three of the field events, finishing in a tie for the highest jump with Kapaa athlete Jaliyah Casem at 4 feet, 10 inches, easily surpassing the posted state mark of 04-07.
Edwards also surpassed the long jump by nearly a foot, finishing first in the event on a leap of 16-08, passing the state mark of 15-08.50, where she was joined by her team mate Jenna Takeuchi who cleared 15-11.25 for the state standard.
Edwards rounded her evening on the field by nailing the triple jump on a 33-06.50 leap, again nearly a foot ahead of the state mark. Takeuchi joined her in the reserve spot on a leap of 32-06.50 for the state standard.
Kapaa athlete Samuel Mokuahi made his mark for the boys in the field events, taking first place in the high jump on a 5-09 leap, the posted state standard.
On the track, Jai Alapai made his mark with a first finish in the 400 meter dash when he stopped the clocks on a 52.52 run, surpassing the posted state mark of 53.14.
Island School athlete Joshua Graves made his mark in the same event, finishing below Alapai on a 52.71 run.
KIF athletes continue to achieve state qualifying marks Saturday morning when the Rotary Clubs host its annual meet at Vidinha Stadium.
Qualifying athletes
Mia Takekuma (Kau) 100 meter dash (13.00/13.054)
Kapaa Girls 4×100 relay (52.12/53.14)
Wailea Edwards (Kau) High Jump (4-10/4-07)
Jaliyah Casem (Kap) High Jump (4-10/4-07)
Wailea Edwards (Kau) Long Jump (16-08/15-08.50)
Jenna Takeuchi (Kau) Long Jump (15-11.25/15-08.50)
Wailea Edwards (Kau) Triple Jump (33-06.00/32-06.50)
Jenna Takeuchi (Kau) Triple Jump (32-06.50/32-06.50)
Jai Alapai (Kap) 400 Dash (52.52/53.14)
Joshua Graves (IS) 400 Dash (52.71/53.124)
Samuel Mokuahi (Kap) High Jump (5-09/5-09)
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
