The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation announced its all-stars last week, and from watching the games, I agreed with the athletes chosen. It was basically a list of all the stars on the team, hence the name of the lists being all-stars.
The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation announced its all-stars last week, and from watching the games, I agreed with the athletes chosen. It was basically a list of all the stars on the team, hence the name of the lists being all-stars.
I want to say congratulations to all who made the coveted lists.
It made me wonder a lot of things. First, I wondered how the all-stars are chosen. I know in some areas, coaches, officials and media vote on them. That doesn’t seem to be the case here. I don’t mind though. I’m content just covering the games.
The coaches basically vote for the players who they think should be recognized as outstanding players, based on position. The utility players being the athletes who play more than one position.
There’s no set criteria for choosing them. It’s just who the coaches think are the standouts.
But it also made me wonder how the athletes feel when they hear they made the list. Does it really matter? (It’s an honor and all, but when I was named in the “Who’s Who in High School Athletes,” I mainly used that as one of the many accolades to put on my college applications.)
When I called Brittany Carvalho and congratulated her on being an all-star soccer player, she responded “I’m an all-star?” Why should be have been surprised?
She’s got a killer kick that was responsible for several of Kapa‘a’s big goals this season. She was almost unstoppable. And yet she was surprised she made the list?
Senior captain Ka‘ala Leong was equally surprised to hear she had been named player of the year.
Softball’s Jessica Iwata was shy to talk about her being the player of year.
I guess that goes to show you how nice and humble these Kaua‘i kids are.
To me, it seems almost obvious that all these players and coaches were clear choices. Maybe no one is as arrogant as I was when I was in high school.
What about those who don’t make the list? Do they get upset? I doubt it. All the kids I’ve encountered here are great.
My thoughts floated back to the coaches. There aren’t many of them out there. I wondered if somehow this was a competition for them to get as many of their players on the list. I doubt it, though.
They don’t seem all that cutthroat here. Instead, it seems like everybody kind of grows up with each other and the coaches know all the kids from watching them from coaching them in Little League, Hawai‘i Youth Soccer League, community basketball and or swim club.
It seems like they spread the respect for everyone. If they don’t, they certainly have me fooled. I guess it could be hard for the coaches because they love everyone.
It’s almost like how high school seniors vote for the superlatives: Best Dressed, Most Athletic and whatnot. How do you choose?
I guess I don’t have to worry about that.
Canoe paddling just wrapped up, so I’ll post those all-stars as soon as I get them.
Congrats, again.
