Kaeo Kruse, a Kauai native from Kalaheo and a senior at the Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, has been named to one of the 12 spots on the Enterprise Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor. Kruse was named to the prestigious
Kaeo Kruse, a Kauai native from Kalaheo and a senior at the Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, has been named to one of the 12 spots on the Enterprise Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor.
Kruse was named to the prestigious honor for his contributions in cross country, swimming, and track and field to the Kamehameha Warriors.
“He broke all of Pierce Murphy’s records,” said his mother, Pam Kruse. “He is a 4.0 student and will be attending Harvard College in the fall. He’ll also be running collegiate cross country and track for Harvard.”
On April 9, Kaeo completed the Arcadia Track meet, breaking the all-time Hawaii state best in the seeded race with a 9:11.37 in the 3,200. He is a two-time cross country champion.
He was also featured in a recent SI Kids issue where it indicated that he is a two-time winner in his age group at the National Junior Lifeguard Championships.
“He aged out of the Kauai program for this summer,” said Kalani Vierra, supervisor at the Kauai Ocean Safety Bureau. “However, he is still eligible to be with the group when we travel to the Nationals. We’ll have to figure out how to use him as an instructor, or coach, when our program starts June 6 at the Salt Pond site.”
Joining Kruse are Teshya Alo, also of Kamehameha, who was recognized for wrestling and judo.
Punahou Schools placed three on the Enterprise/HHSAA Hall of Honor, including Emalia Eichelberger for water polo and paddling, Mariel Galdiano for her golf, and ‘Aukai Lileikis for swimming and water polo.
Shannon Hopeau of Kapolei High School was named for soccer, and Vae Malepeai of Mililani High School was recognized for his football prowess. Austin Matautia of Moanalua High School was named for volleyball.
The Maui Interscholastic League finished with two being named to the Hall of Honor, including La‘akea Kaho‘ohanohano-Davis of Baldwin for achievements in football and track and field, and Laielei Mata‘afa of Lahainaluna for wrestling and water polo.
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation also placed two on the Hall of Honor, including Chanelle Molina of Konawaena High School for basketball and volleyball, and Emma Taylor of Hawaii Preparatory Academy getting the nod for track and field, soccer, and volleyball.
The Kauai Interscholastic Federation did not place anyone on the Hall of Honor for this year.
The 12 Hall of Honor student-athletes will be formally inducted at an HHSAA awards banquet, June 5 at 5 p.m. at Dole Cannery’s Pomaika‘i Ballroom where they will each be presented with a $2,000 scholarship.
