Robinson & Kobayashi come up with big wins at Waiakea

Battle for first between Kaneshiro, Robinson and Langtry

Often times in sports a kick during the closing moments of an event will decide the outcome.  Such was the case this past Saturday when Honokaa’s Josh Robinson used a late kick in the final 300 yards of a Big Island Interscholastic Federation cross country meet at Waiakea to win the race.

Robinson followed several talented runners during most of the 3 mile race before taking a brief lead just past mile two.

“I didn’t warm up well enough before the race today,” Robinson said after winning.  “I usually need an hour to warm up so I didn’t feel right in the early stages of the race.”

Robinson played a catch up game right from the start with Hilo’s Tyde Kaneshiro, St. Joseph’s Andrew Langtry and Christian Liberty’s Jordan Grotenhuis taking turns as the front runners in a field of 142 harriers.

“During the whole race I kept talking to myself as I wanted to run my own race.  I kept hearing people behind me and kept the leaders within striking distance,” Robinson said.

When the leaders returned to the Waiakea High track, with only 300 yards to go, Robinson was trailing and in third place before displaying his powerful final kick.

“I came into the race today knowing that my kick might win it for me,” he said.

Honokaa coach, Josh Abner, also believes in the power of the kick as the Dragon coach teaches his runners to utilize that tool.  Following the meet Abner was headed out for the Dragon football game where he also serves as a coach.

“I coach the kickers,” Abner said.

Kaneshiro and Langtry fight for second

Robinson crossed the finish line in 16 minutes and 48 seconds with Kaneshiro and Langtry  following (16:53) and Grotenhuis taking fourth (17:01)

“I had the lead at around mile two before Josh (Robinson) passed us,” Kaneshiro said.  “I tried to go with Josh and regained the lead with a half mile to go until he out kicked me on the track.  I’m still pleased with my effort as this was the fastest time I’ve ever run.”

Langtry, a Cardinal sophomore who is one of only two members on the St. Joseph cross country team, also ran the race of his young career not only with his fastest time ever which gave him his best overall BIIF finish.

“It’s all about my doing my best,” Langtry said.  “My goal this season has been to stay in the top 10 and to finish within that number at the BIIF championships.”

Kobayashi wins at WHS

The kick didn’t play any roll in the girl’s race as Waiakea’s Kelsie Kobayashi jumped out to an early lead and distanced herself from the field of 103.

“I always try to go out fast in all my races,” Kobayashi said.  “I don’t focus on any of the other runners and I just focus on myself as I try to run my own race.”

Kobayashi was chased during the entire 3 miles by Hilo’s Shalila de Bourmont and Carmen Garson-Shumway.

“I felt well rested and my legs felt better than the last time we ran on this course,” Kobayashi said.  “Whenever I run I just want to do my best and to keep my pace the entire way.  I heard footsteps and cheering for the girls behind me, so I was always aware that I was being chased.”

Kobayashi, like most of the top runners in Saturday’s Waiakea race, achieved her best time by clocking in at 20 minutes and 9 seconds.

Garson-Shumway

Hilo’s de Bourmont and Garson-Shumway had a near photo finish for second place with both clocking in at 20:47 and de Bourmont getting the nod.

“Shalila and I work together and we work off each other’s energy,” Garson-Shumway said.  “When Kelsie (Kobayashi) pulled out fast and maintained her speed Shalila and I decided to stay together and do our best to stay close.”

“I don’t focus on the fact that Carmen is only a freshman,” de Bourmont said.  “She (Garson-Shumway) is a good runner and we help each other through the pain and hardships that we go through during the race.”

The Hilo girls claimed 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th overall places to easily win the team scoring as the Vikings continue to be the dominate team in the BIIF.

“I’m really happy that our girls ran well,” Hilo Coach Bill McMahon said.  “We feel like we’re running well and we look forward to ever race.”

Grace Choe

Also doing well was Makua Lani’s Grace Choe who took fourth in a time of 21:06.

“I was being sandwiched during the race by a pair of Hilo girls,” Choe said.  “The Hilo girls pushed me to run fast and helped me to run my best race.  It’s all about being mentally tough and having perseverance.”  

Coming up on Saturday the BIIF cross country venue moves to Waimea as Hawaii Preparatory Academy will host an all-schools meet.  The girl’s 3-miler begins at 10 am followed by the boy’s race.

Hawaii Prep will also play host to the BIIF championships to be held on Friday, October 22.

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