LIHU‘E — Meleana Rita is the sole senior listed on the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation wrestling All-Stars list that was released last week.
Rita, wrestling in the 147 pound class, is from Kaua‘i High School, and showed well throughout the KIF wrestling season that resumed this year following a pandemic pause. During several of the exhibition matches, Rita was pit against wrestlers above her weight class and finished with victories, many being by pinfall.
The remainder of the 17-wrestler KIF All-Star field are underclassmen who will bring solid experience back to the ring during the upcoming 2022-23 winter sport season.
One freshman, Mary Joy Angala from Waimea, three 10th graders and a junior return for the wahine grapplers, and one freshman, Naka Lovell Obatake of Kaua‘i High School, four 10th graders, and five juniors make up the returnees in the boys division.
The KIF wrestling All-Stars are comprised of the individual weight class winners and went on to represent the KIF at the state tournament.
Girls: 99 pounds – Tristin Asuncion (Kau-11), 104 pounds – Kayeleigh Martinez (Wai-10), 109 pounds – Mary Joy Angala (Wai-9), 114 pounds – Casey Bernabe (Kap-10), 147 pounds – Meleana Rita (Kau-12), 157 pounds – Skyelynn Ripley (Wai-10).
Boys: 108 pounds – Thomas Ramos (Kau-11), 122 pounds – Jayden Manibog (Kau-11), 134 pounds – DeAndrei Gonzales (Wai-10), 140 pounds – Connor Raybuck (Kap-11), 147 pounds – Kaden Libre (Wai-10), 154 pounds – Jayred Tumbaga (Wai-11), 162 pounds – Kal-El Butac-Sagucio (Kau-10), 172 pounds – Nathan Marovish (Kap-11), 184 pounds – Eliam Ornellas (Wai-10), 197 pounds – Nakoa Lovell Obatake (Kau-9), 222 pounds – Walker Turpin (Kau-11).
