LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation released its Wrestling All-Stars on Thursday morning.
Natalie Mata, a girls basketball coach with Waimea High School, said one male wrestler, Kaylo Labanon, and one female wrestler, Skyelynn Ripley, a former Menehune basketball player before migrating to the wrestling ring, should be acknowledged, like all of the all-star recipients, for their efforts through the KIF wrestling season, as well as at the state tournament held on Feb. 23-24 on O‘ahu.
“All three KIF schools had representation in the state tournament,” Mata said. “However, Waimea High School had two athletes who made it to the second round, which is considered “Championship Day.”
Labanon, wrestling in the 138-pound bracket, advanced to the second round after losing to Andy Oviedo of Maui High School by a fall. He was successful against Conan Paahana of Kona High School by an 11-4 decision, but lost to Kanoa Iwankiw, who took Labanon by a fall 4 minutes and 17 seconds into the match.
“Skyelynn, wrestling in the 155-pound bracket, made Waimea High School history by being the first female athlete from Waimea High to ever podium in the state tournament,” Mata said.
Ripley finished the state tournament with a 3-3 record that resulted in her placing sixth overall in the 155 Bracket.
She opened with a win by fall 3:48 over Hiroko Yasu of Campbell before Kaui Lee-Tynan dropped her by fall at 5:31 to relegate the Menehune to the consolation bracket.
Ripley took out Kylah Brown of Damien by fall at the 3:15 mark to advance. She won over Kaya-Ala Smith of Punahou by decision 9-8 before being taken by Shansi Boaz-Vasquez of Lahainaluna on a fall at the 2:39 mark. Ripley’s run to the podium ended when Ola Haupu of Baldwin pinned the Menehune at the 4:57 mark for fifth place.
Boys Wrestling
All-Stars
w Bracket 106 Pounds: Cheysan Sagadraca (Gr. 11 – Kaua‘i HS), Bracket 113: Joaquin Santiago (Gr. 9 – KauHS), Bracket 120: Julius Naanop (Gr. 11- KauHS), Bracket 126: DeAndrei Gonzales (Gr. 12 – WaiHS), Bracket 132: Orien Hodges (Gr. 12- KapHS), Bracket 138: Kaylo Labanon (Gr. 10 – WaiHS), Bracket 144: Jonithan Johnny (Gr. 10 – WaiHS), Bracket 150: Drayden Gerardo (Gr. 12 – KauHS), Bracket 157: Isaac Funtanilla (Gr. 12 – WaiHS), Bracket 165: Shawn Parraga (Gr. 12 – WaiHS), Bracket 175: Jaevyn Navarro (Gr. 11 – KauHS), Bracket 190: Dylan Rockwell (Gr. 11 – KauHS), Bracket 215: JJ Deguchi (Gr. 9 – KauHS), Bracket 285: Eldon Simpliciano-Siliado (Gr. 12 – WaiHS).
Girls Wrestling
All-Stars
w Bracket 105: Nahe Marshall (Gr. 9 – KapHS), Bracket 110: Jordan Atwood (Gr. 10-WaiHS), Bracket 115: Raia Agor (Gr. 9 -WaiHS), Bracket 120: Casey Bernabe (Gr. 12 – KapHS), Bracket 130: Avah McRoberts (Gr. 10 – KapHS), Bracket 135: Bella Kellerman (Gr. 11 – KauHS), Bracket 155: Skyelynn Ripley (Gr. 12 – WaiHS), Bracket 170: Hailee Racca (Gr. 12 – KauHS), Bracket 2254: Lillian Edwin-Gonzalez (Gr. 10 – WaiHS).
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
