LIHUE — McKenna Kerry of the Kauai Christian Academy found all three of the KCA blue ribbons to earn Outstanding Female honors in the middle school division at the Mayor’s Youth Track Meet that wrapped up Sunday following two days of competition at the Vidinha Stadium.
Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami made appearances on both days, greeting, cheering, and assisting the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation move the sea of student athletes that ranged from kindergarten through grade eight.
Kerry made her solid mark Sunday when the middle school (grades 6-8) took the turf, winning blue in the 400 meter, 50 meter, and 800 meter events. Those blue ribbons were the sole first place honors reaped by the Kilauea school.
Following two days of competition that was started with Kawakami sounding the gun on one of the opening races, Kekaha Elementary School topped the Elementary School division with a total of eight first place finishes, four second places, eight third places, a dozen fourth places, four fifth places, and five sixth place finishes.
Efforts of the elementary school located at the Western-most site in the United States were led by Tykei Chang-wo who finished in a tie for Outstanding Male (Elementary School division) honors with Takzee Thomas of the Elsie Wilcox Elementary School.
Carlynn Rapozo-Kamoku of Kapaa Elementary School reaped Outstanding Female honors for the elementary division, helping the school to finish with four first place honors, three second places, a pair of fourth places, and one ribbon apiece in fifth and sixth finishes, respectively.
Amidst the excitement of the sea of youthful athletes, Eleele Elementary School finished in second place with a pair of blue ribbons, four red, or second places, four third places, five fourth places, seven fifth places, and four sixth place finishes.
Kilauea Elementary School placed third with four first place finishes, four second places, a fourth place, and a sixth place finish.
Moving to the middle school division arena where Kawakami was assisting Kauai Fire Department and other student volunteers in chasing down tosses in the softball throw, the double-digit finishes in all categories except the elusive blue ribbon earned Island School the overall top performing school.
Voyager goldenrod flooded the walls of Vidinha Stadium accompanied by frenzied cheer as the Island School fans egged their athletes on the field, the Puhi school finishing the overall competition with six first finishes, 15 seconds, 15 thirds, 18 fourth place finishes, 13 fifth places, and 11th sixth place finishes.
Student athletes Zyden Vea and Jaiden Sams, named Outstanding Male athletes in a three-way tie with Hekili Dizol of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, led the Waimea Canyon Middle School to runner-up honors in the grade 6 to 8 division.
Athletes from the Westside school finished the meet by capturing 12 blue ribbons, four seconds, four thirds, three fourth places, a pair of fifth finishes, and six sixth place finishes.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
