The Kapa‘a High School Warriors will enter the 2020 Texaco Wrestling Championships at Blaisdell Center Arena with one of Kauai’s top-tier wrestlers Joji Miner-Ho.
During the wrestling preseason, Miner-Ho positioned herself to be one of the preseason favorites to be mentioned in the championship conversation, when she placed second in the two-day Punahou Invitational Girls Wrestling Tournament on O‘ahu.
The Punahou Invitational is considered one of the premier preseason events and is a good barometer of the wrestlers in contention for a state title.
Warriors’ head wrestling coach Jess Jensen wants Miner-Ho and the rest of the Warriors competitors to do their best in the state-wide showcase of talent.
“Doing well helps to see how they would do against the (same caliber) of competition,” Jensen said. “She will compete with girls there that didn’t compete earlier in the season so that anything can happen. She has every opportunity to be competitive and has the confidence in her training, and it will be exciting to see how she does.”
Warriors send ten
Miner-Ho is just one of Kapa’a’s many wrestlers to qualify for state.
The Warriors’ list is extensive and includes — Herman Santos (110), Kaz Espina (138), Lester Garcia (145), Joshweih Aguinaldo (220) for their boys’ roster.
The Kapa‘a a girls list includes — Anjoelina Miyashiro-Catbagan (117), Meah Jensen (122), Olivia Kelekoma (127), Amber Cotter (132), Tessa Jensen (145), and Miner-Ho at 168.
Wrestlers vary in skill. Where they fall on the bracket, and who they are up against are just some of the variables that dictate success at a tournament format like this.
“It’s exciting for them to get the jitters out. Being in a tournament like this is great for them to see the fire, and it motivates them to get better and compete at this level. This is where they work harder and train harder for their future,” Jensen said.
Red Raiders roll
into state
Kaua‘i High School wrestling coach Paul Shindell says at a state competition anything can and does happen.
“That is the exciting thing about sports is that we are all human beings and we all train on the same moves,” Shindell said. “In competition, everyone has a chance, and you have to respect all and fear no one.”
The Red Raiders will feature two wrestlers: Alana Takata (155), and Mason Stoll-Tolentino (120), who of the top Kaua‘i kids competing.
For Shindell’s wrestlers, his goal is simple as they compete against some of the best wrestlers in the state.
“I would like to get better every year and see continued improvement, and I would like to win more matches each year than the proceeding year,” Shindell said. “It would be nice to see kids make it to day two, and you have to win about three matches, generally. I would like to some placers, but most importantly, I just want everyone to go out there and wrestle hard.”
Menehune preps
for big show
Waimea High School coach C.J. Threat says is it is an honor for his wrestlers to get to state.
Five Menehune competitors Kaya Akana (107), Ashlyn Agena (112), Kayana Niheu-Kamaka (184), are the girls who qualified, and Kylen ‘A‘ana (113) and Barak Aviguetero (126).
“I try to be a realist and not have expectations, and if it doesn’t happen, then things will bring you down, and you just have to compete as hard as they can,” Threat said. “That is why I try to go over and talk to them.”
