KAPA‘A — Thirteen wrestlers between the ages of 8 through 20 turned out Saturday to grapple through four divisions during the USA Wrestling Spring Tournament that was held at the K-PAL Youth Center in Kapa‘a.
“There was a smaller turnout this week, but there was some excellent wrestling,” said Coach Mac Pigot of Westside Wrestling. “Mahalo to Coach Nelson Armitage and the K-PAL Youth center in Kapa‘a for hosting the tournament.”
Former Kaua‘i High School wrestler Jaiden Ogata, the 2019 Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champion at 138 pounds, returned to the mat to show the current KIF wrestlers that he still has it.
Kaua‘i High School Athletic Director Keli‘i Morgado, in a conversation with Hall of Honor inductee Nahe Bukoski, said the Red Raiders are still looking for a wrestling head coach to work with its corps of wrestlers. Interested candidates can call him at Kaua‘i High School.
“Jaiden won his division with some brilliant lateral drop takedowns,” Pigot said. “The youth matches had some great action as the wrestlers showcased the skills they have been learning at practice.”
There are three remaining events for the USA Wrestling spring calendar, including Tournament No. 4 that takes place Saturday at the K-PAL Youth center in Kapa‘a starting at noon.
On Friday, June 10, the Westside Wrestling will host the Clarissa Chung clinic with the two-time Olympic wrestler at the Clem Gomes Gym with a beach run and strength training starting at 8 a.m. followed by two sessions starting at 11 a.m.
Saturday, June 11 the spring season closes with the 2022 Sam Silva Memorial Kaua‘i USAW Championships with weigh-ins starting at 8 a.m. and featuring Freestyle, Greco, or Folkstyle for high school and open division, and Folkstyle for youth division.
There is no entry fee.
Results
Age Group 8-10, 65 pounds
1. Noah Hussey, 2. Keaolewa Armitage, 3. Gundy Magalogo, 4. Brody Aceret.
Age Group 10, 85 pounds
1. Kaonohi Armitage, 2. Kiakaha Lopez, 3. Kalinaray Aceret.
Age Group 11-15, 160 pounds
1. Deandrei Gonzales, 2. Skyelinn Ripley, 3. Josh Martin, 4. Ryder Vivas.
Age Group 15-20, 175 pounds
1. Jaiden Ogata, 2. Shawn Parraga, 3. Ephraim Salud.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
