LIHUE — Island School athletes broke three Kauai Interscholastic Federation track and field records Thursday during the KIF track and field championships Friday night at Vidinha Stadium.
The individual efforts came up short for the Voyagers who could not muster enough team points to claim the KIF championships, settling for third place in the girls competition, and fourth in the boys’ arena.
Kauai High School girls, led by Mia Takekuma and Jenna Takeuchi each securing two state qualifying standards, captured the team trophy with 161.5 points followed by Kapaa High School (155 points), Island School (83.50 points), and Waimea High School (64 points).
On the boys’ arena, the Kapaa High School men, topped by Jai Alapai securing two state standards, and Samuel Mokuahi topping the high jump with a state qualifying mark, walked off with the top trophy at 135.50 points followed by Kauai High School (129 points), Waimea High School (104 points), Island School (90 points), and the Kauai Christian Academy (3.50 points).
Voyager Joshua Graves set a new KIF standard in the 800-meter run during the Thursday night qualifying meet by tripping the digital camera at 2:00:99.
“He is ranked among the fastest boys in the state as he prepares for the state championship meet that will be contested on Maui,” said Island School coach Dr. Eric Wortmann.
Wortmann said Jaden DeSousa, breaking two KIF records over the weekend, is also among the fastest girls in the state.
“Jaden, a sophomore, won the 400 meter championship race with a new KIF record time of 1:00.21, and the 800 meter championship race with a new KIF record time of 2:25.30,” Wortmann said. “The previous 800 meter record had stood since 2006. Jaden also anchored the Island School girls 4 x 400 meter relay race and ran an electrifying last 400 meters, leading the Voyager girls to the 4 x 400 meter title.”
Other Voyagers making their mark at the KIF championships included Ella Beck, a sophomore, who crossed the 1,500 meter run with a state qualifying 5:18.01 before successfully defending her title in the 3,000 meter run.
Matthew Vickers, a junior at Island School, also made a state qualifying mark by winning the 1,500 meter run on a 4:21.66 tour around the Vidinha Stadium track.
The 2019 Island Movers Hawaii High School Athletic Association track and field championships will be contested on May 3 and 4 at the War Memorial Stadium on Maui.
Results – Qualifiers
Girls: Taelyn Nunes (100 meter hurdles – Kap) 16.93, Mia Takekuma (100 meter dash – Kau) 12.87, Ella Beck (1,500 meter run – IS) 5:18.01, Kau 4×100 Meter Relay (1) 50.80, Wai 4×100 Meter Relay (2) 52.33, Kap 4×100 Meter Relay (3) 52.57, Jayden DeSousa (400 meter dash – IS) (1) 1:00.21, Violet Alao (400 meter dash – Kap) (2) 1:02.84, Jayden DeSousa (800 meter run – IS) 2:25.30, Mia Takekuma (200 meter dash – Kau) 26.45, Makana Duncan (200 meter dash – Wai) 26.80, Lilia Unutoa (Discus Throw) 100-10, Gheymee Perreira (Shot Put – Wai) 33-04.00, Jenna Takeuchi (Long Jump – Kau) 17-06.00, Kaleonahe Bukoski (Long Jump – Kau) 16-08.00, Jenna Takeuchi (Triple Jump – Kau) 32-11.50, Waileia Edwards (High Jump – Kau) 5-02.00.
Boys: Joseph Hedstrom (110 meter hurdles-Wai) 16.27, Jai Alapai (100 meter dash-Kap) 11.28, Matthew Vickers (1,500 meter run-IS) 4:21.66, Jai Alapai (400 meter dash-Kap) 52.69, Joshua Graves (400 meter dash-IS) 59.11, Joshua Graves (800 meter run-IS) 2:00.99, Whitney Lugo (200 meter dash-Kau) 22.97, Micah Carvalho (Long Jump-Kau) 20-02.00, Samuel Mokuahi (High Jump-Kap) 5-10.00.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
