LIHU‘E — Niki Upson picked up a pair of birdies on the front nine, Saturday during the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation golf match contested at the Puakea Golf Club.
Upson, the defending KIF boys individualist, crossed as the only golfer with an under-par performance, moving on with a 1-under 35. He finished with a 3-over on the back nine to end the day at 74, the highest score in the field.
However, the effort fell short for the Kapa‘a boys team that included scores from Brock Baldwin (124), Joshua Gandia (95), Upson (74), Chasen Tumamao (120), and Cody Yadao (103). The Warriors team finished with 392 points for second place in the team showing.
Jaydon Kyono of the Kaua‘i boys team finished second overall at 85 to lead the Raider boys to a team 359 that included scores from Henry Anderson (121), Mosiah Bautista (91), Aiden Belermino (91), Kyono (85), and Carson Oyama (92).
Waimea golfer Luke Dela Pena finished third overall at 87, two strokes off of Kyono’s pace, to lead the Menehune to a 445 team total. Scores from that team included Kylan Constantino carding a 104, Matt Taeza finishing at 124, and Kylan Takakusagi ending at 129.
Island School suffered a casualty to end with an insufficient number of golfers to qualify for team scoring.
On the girls’ course, Kaua‘i High School golfer Jessica Hreljac set the pace with an 85 to lead the Red Raider ladies to a 279 team score. The quartet leading to the team total included Hailey Arakaki carding a 106, Keesha Brown finishing at 94, Samantha Murphy getting a 100, and Hreljac at 85.
Island School’s Ema-Lani Ebesu, returning from last year’s tour, finished with a 103, and Olivia Lutkevich ended at 133 in the six-girl field.
The Saturday match was the only one contested in the 2020 KIF golf season before the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association suspension of sports took effect, Monday.
Results – Boys
Niki Upson (Kp) 35-39-74, Jaydon Kyono (Ka) 43-42-85, Luke Dela Pena (Wai) 42-45-87, Aiden Belarmino (Ka) 48-43-91, Mosiah Bautista (Ka) 42-49-91, Carson Oyama (Ka) 43-49-92, Spencer Summerhays (IS) 45-49-94, Joshua Gandia (Kp) 47-48-95, Justice Snyder (IS) 48-50-98, Cody Yadao (Kp) 51-52-103), Kylan Constantino (Wai) 54-51-105, Sterling Mexia (Kau) 59-57-116, Chasen Tumamao (Kp) 57-63-120, Henry Anderson (Kau) 63-58-121, Gen Hew (Kau) 63-59-122, Matt Taeza (Wai) 66-58-124, Brock Baldwin (Kap) 60-64-124, Kylan Takakusagi (Wai) 64-65-129, Tanner Hadley (IS) 65-68-133.
Results – Girls
Jessica Hreljac (Kau) 40-45-85, Keesha Brown (Kau) 48-46-94, Samantha Murphy (Kau) 52-48-100, Ema-Lani Ebesu (IS) 53-50-103, Hailey Arakaki (Kau) 56-50-106, Olivia Lutkevich (IS) 69-64-133.
Results – 9 Hole
Imi Corpuz (Kp) 51, Christopher Harvey (Kp) 60, Sheldon Kaneholani-Cruz (Kap) 68.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
