LIHU‘E — For the first time ever, the KIF utilized an automatic timer at its track events and so far it’s receiving rave reviews. “It helped especially in sprints, giving a better and more accurate time,” Waimea coach Basil Scott
LIHU‘E — For the first time ever, the KIF utilized an automatic timer at its track events and so far it’s receiving rave reviews.
“It helped especially in sprints, giving a better and more accurate time,” Waimea coach Basil Scott said.
The girls 100-meter hurdles was the first event to use the automatic device and Kaua‘i senior Allison Arakaki is going down in the record books as the first athlete to win an event utilizing the new system, yesterday at Vidinha Stadium.
Her win in the 100-meter hurdles at the 59th Annual Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i Track Meet was also a great example of how the automatic timer comes in handy. With Arakaki and Kapa‘a’s Nahtice Nield head to head at the finish line, a photo finish was needed and on the Lynx System Timer computer screen, it clearly showed the Red Raider trackster just a nose ahead of the Warrior athlete at the finish line.
According to Scott, the County purchased the device for $20,000 and it takes photos four inches at a time.
More importantly though, the new automatic timer shaves off .24 seconds from the times.
“When we used hand times, we had to add .24 seconds to the times, but now we don’t have to with the new automatic device. It’s a big deal,” Scott said.
Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i president Margaret Kagawa also chimed in on the first time the club was able to hold a track meet with two new additions.
“It’s just one of our signature events. It’s so much more exciting this year with the new track and timer, but we were a little nervous,” Kagawa said.
The top three athletes received medals and as of press time, winners included Waimea’s Kollin Morikawa in the long jump (19-10.5), Kapa‘a’s Nathaniel Langi in the discus (131-8), Kapa‘a’s Greg Ragsac in the 110 meter hurdles (17.23), Kaua‘i’s Allison Arakaki in the 100 meter hurdles (17.19), Kaua‘i’s Jamilee Jimenez in the high jump (5-0), and Kaua‘i’s Tiffany Ikeda-Simao in the 100 meters (12.63).
Other medalists included Waimea’s Bailon Batalion (2nd, long jump, 19-4.75), Kapa‘a’s Coty Salausa (3rd, long jump, 18-9.5), Kapa‘a’s Simi Langi (2nd, discus, 114-5), Waimea’s Anson Acain (3rd, discus, 113-10), Kaua‘i’s Emma Makepa-Foley (2nd, 100, 13.32), Kaua‘i’s Auika Muragin (3rd, 100, 13.37), Kapa‘a’s Joe Velasco (2nd, 110 hurdles, 17.25), Kapa‘a’s Trevor Boro (3rd, 110 hurdles, 17.72), Kapa‘a’s Nahtice Nield (2nd, 100 hurdles, 17.21), Waimea’s Melia Prinzing (3rd, 100 hurdles, 17.62), Kaua‘i’s Savannah Rollins (2nd, high jump, 4-6), and Kapa‘a’s Erin Pickett (2nd, high jump, 4-6).
Full results of the 59th Annual Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i Track Meet will be published in a future edition of The Garden Island.
Former Miss Kaua‘i Filipina winner Rhoda Libre handled the announcing duties. The next KIF track meet, the fifth qualifying event, is set for April 21 at Vidinha Stadium (4 p.m.).
