Top 20 Girls in State Cross Country – predictions by Bob Martin

Top 20 Girls – Hawaii High School Cross Country 9/18/2012Compiled by Bob Martin – http://hi.milesplit.com 

These rankings are based on XC & track performances in 2011-12, and more so on 2012 XC performances to date, particularly in head-to-head competitions. They’re intended to project where individuals will be at the end of the 2012 cross country season. Comments are encouraged.

Name, School, C/O, City, Island, League

 1. Dakota Grossman – Seabury Hall, 2014, Makawao, Maui, MIL
 2. Elli Brady – Punahou, 2013, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
 3. Zoe Sims – Hawaii Prep, 2013, Waimea, Hawaii, BIIF
 4. Carmen Garson-Shumway – Hilo HS, 2014, Hilo, Hawaii, BIIF
 5. Mehana Sabado-Halpern – Hilo HS, 2015, Hilo, Hawaii, BIIF
 6. Hi’i Ellis – Kamehameha, 2016, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
 7. Teri Brady – Punahou, 2016, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
 8. Tandeka Nunn – Radford, 2013, Honolulu, Oahu, OIA
 9. Amanda Beaman – Iolani, 2016, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
10. Kristiana Van Pernis – Hawaii Prep, 2014, Waimea, Hawaii, BIIF
11. Mariah Haight – Hawaii Prep, 2014, Waimea, Hawaii, BIIF
12. Joy Claypoole – Island, 2013, Lihue, Kauai, KIF
13. Alice Liggett – Mid Pacific, 2014, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
14. Kai Hoshijo – Kamehameha, 2015, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
15. Melissa Wong – Punahou, 2013, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
16. Kari Van mols – Kealakehe, 2013, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, BIIF
17. Elise Uyehara – Hawaii Baptist, 2014, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
18. Erin Evans – Hawaii Prep, 2016, Waimea, Hawaii, BIIF
19. Noe Lum – Punahou, 2014, Honolulu, Oahu, ILH
20. Alea Amano – Kaiser, 2014, Honolulu, Oahu, OIA
 

Advertisement

Hawaii Preparatory Academy magnificant 7 all returns

     They’re playing the theme song to the Magnificent Seven out in Waimea as Coach Michael Franklin has his dream team back for another season.

Franklin the head coach of state cross country team champions Hawaii Preparatory Academy is fully loaded as they return all seven girls.  Ka Makani harriers in order of their state finish are Kristiana Van Pernis, Mariah Haight, Zoe Sims, Emily Evans, Kelly Ulrich, Veronica Ladwig and Cat Bradley.

HPA had five girls in the top nine at states which included Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Zoe Sims for a total of 35 points beating out Punahou with 50.

HPA’s boys under coaches Kimo Higgins and Lupe Diaz will need to adjust because of the numerous seniors lost to graduation.  “We are very excited about our prospects this year,” Higgins said. 

According to Higgins they have a balance between local runners with a strong contingent from Japan.

“Walt Disney, Michael Spetich, Justin Macy, Dan Masuda and Jake McCafferty will team with a strong group of harriers from Japan including Ryuta Yoda, Hide Akai and Keisuke Anzai,” Higgins said. “We certainly look forward to putting on our best efforts with the goal of scoring on our home course in the BIIF and State Championships.”

Five time boys BIIF champions Honokaa aren’t as lucky as their head coach Josh Abner has left for a job in Kentucky leaving Jerri Moniz as the new head coach for the Dragons.

If her last name sounds familiar it is because her son, Chayce, won the BIIF individual title last season. 

“This is a rebuilding year for us,” Moniz said.  “We do have Tony Connors, Clayton Robinson and Pedro Sanches that bring experience and leadership for us.”

On the girls side the Lady Dragons have Haldhang Adona and Kelly Greenwell returning.

“I worked with Coach Abner over the years and I plan on following his program,” Moniz said.

Langtry

Christian Liberty Academy is coached by long time harrier instructor Frank Grotenhuis.  CLA didn’t have a girl’s team last year, but had a good preseason turnout and as a result had 8 girls come out this year.

“The boys will be led by senior Keenan Freitas and juniors Caedan Cambra, Zech DeCleene, Kiyoshi Kaili and Kekoa Mundo,” Grotenhuis said.  “We would like to finish in the top half of the league this year.  We know it will be a challenge, but we are set to give it a good effort.”

Hilo boys return Stephen Hunter, Max Panoff, Max Kerr, Timon Skinner, and Israel Sims according to Coach McMahon.

“We have others that have joined the team over the summer and have worked hard to create a close knit team,” McMahon said.

Joining the Vikings during practice is St. Joseph star Andrew Langtry.

On the girls side Coach Lory Hunter has several returnees in Carmen Garson-Shumway, Kaylee Rapoza, Nina Bean, Satya Ray, Jordan Breibarth and Mahana Sabado-Halpern,

Makua Lani – Coach Doug Andrews is in his fourth year and he returns five girls from last year’s team.  Junior Joy Choe, Sophomore Keili Dorn, Seniors Tiffany Nakamura and Mercedes DeCarli.

“Joy has qualified for the state meet 2 times, Keili qualified as a freshman and Tiffany is a 3 times state qualifier.  If our girls work hard and run for the right reason, they have a good chance of being in the top 4 teams at the BIIF meet,” Coach Andrews said.

Andrews girls team finished third in the BIIF during the 2011 season.

For the boys Andrew Crietz returns as a junior and Josh Kuperus as a sophomore.

Kamehameha has veteran coaches Ryan Cabalse for the boys and Joel Truesdell for the girls. 

“We have three boys returning from last year’s squad that qualified as individuals for States they are all juniors Maka’ala Cruz, Jordan Hirae and Colton Hill,” Cabalse said.  “Our goal this season it to have a ‘team score’ at the state meet.”

For the girl’s team they have three girls returning that ran in the state meet last year.  They are Tiana Iwata, Mikela Cabel and TeHani Jones according to Truesdell.

Coach Cabalse

Garson-Shumway was the first female overall in the Vulcan Women’s 5K with teammate Sabado-Halpern taking second which make for a great one-two punch.

“Our goal for both teams this year is to create a strong team bond, a love for running and have both teams qualify for the State meet,” Coach Hunter said.

Makua Lani – Coach Doug Andrews is in his fourth year and he returns five girls from last year’s team.  Junior Joy Choe, Sophomore Keili Dorn, Seniors Tiffany Nakamura and Mercedes DeCarli.

“Joy has qualified for the state meet 2 times, Keili qualified as a freshman and Tiffany is a 3 times state qualifier.  If our girls work hard and run for the right reason, they have a good chance of being in the top 4 teams at the BIIF meet,” Coach Andrews said.

Andrews girls team finished third in the BIIF during the 2011 season.

For the boys Andrew Crietz returns as a junior and Josh Kuperus as a sophomore.

Kamehameha has veteran coaches Ryan Cabalse for the boys and Joel Truesdell for the girls. 

“We have three boys returning from last year’s squad that qualified as individuals for States they are all juniors Maka’ala Cruz, Jordan Hirae and Colton Hill,” Cabalse said.  “Our goal this season it to have a ‘team score’ at the state meet.”

For the girl’s team they have three girls returning that ran in the state meet last year.  They are Tiana Iwata, Mikela Cabel and TeHani Jones according to Truesdell.

“Right now we have a pretty solid pack running with them,” Truesdell said.  “We have depth and our team goals are to be the best team we can be, to have fun and to do well at states.”

KAU – The Trojans were still looking to hire a cross country coach according to their Athletic Director Kalei Namohala.

Keaau has a huge team of 60 runners for the boys and girls, according to Coach Donna Wong Yuen. 

The Cougars return Natalie Hagemann for the girls and Jeffrey Ferrell, Ariel Navarro and Davin Alviento for the boys.

“We are not a deep team so will need to rely on our core group to stay healthy and not get injured,” Wong Yuen said.  “We need to have our 7 through 10 runners step up.  Our goals are to look at individual improvement because we have a lot of first time runners.”

PAHOA – Coached by John Oliver who has been coaching Dagger harriers for 5 years.  Oliver has no girls and 8 boys that came out to run for the cross country team.

“Most of the boys are just trying to get in shape for wrestling and they are hoping to be able to run the 3 miles,” Coach Oliver said.  “Some of them are pretty large and are doing their best to lose some weight.”

Parker Coach

PARKER – The Bulls Athletic Department is headed by cross country coach, Ceri Whitfield who is a five year veteran. 

Whitfield boy’s team is led by Paul Gregg and Tyler McCullough who both ran in states last season.  While carrying 18 boys and 6 girls the coach has them shooting for the stars.

“Our goal is always to try to win BIIF’s,” Whitfield said.  “I always try to have them set their sights on the stars.”

KEALAKEHE – Third year Coach Arturo Morales has 13 boys and 7 girls on his squad.  Returning for the girls is Kari Van Mols who was 15^th in the state last year. Also for the Waveriders are Sydney Kirkhill and Mika Bettencourt.

 “For our boys team we hope to finish 2^nd in the BIIF this season,” Morales said.

KONAWAENA-both the boys and girls teams are coached by Kuulei Saole in her fourth year with the Wildcats.   “We currently have 4 girls and 3 boys,” Saole said.

The Wildcats return sophomore Shayli Nakamoto who made it to states last season.

“My main goal this year is to get more girls and boys to come out for cross country,” Saole said.

Waiakea with boys coach Jordan Rosado return Ian McQuate, Dyson Sato, Nate Parez, HaJime Hayano and Keoni Rice.

“Keoni is the only senior so we have a good foundation for the next few years,” Rosado said.  “This year we hope to do at least as well as last year and qualify our team for States.”

Rosado might have one of the best runners in the league in McQuate who finished the Vulcan 5K as the top high school runner and looks to be in prime preseason shape.

For the Warriors girls its Coach Winona Hai-Kelly returns Sky Ombac, Jillian Hughes, Vandey Okinaka and Haley Rasse. 

“The fight this season will be for second place between Hilo and us,” Hai-Kelly said.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation season kicks off with the Cane Fire Conditioner at CLA starting at 10 am on Saturday August 25.

Hawaii Prep announces Athletic Awards for 2011-2012

Sport	Most Valuable	Coach’s Award	Most Improved	other
Girls Volleyball	Leeta Grap	Katie Case	Asia Kaden
Boys X-Country	Justin Macy	Carson Magoon	Walter Disney
	Michael Spetich
Girls X-Country	Emily Evans, Mariah Haight	Zoe Sims		FAAL Award
	Kristiana Van Pernis			Kelly Ulrich
Football	Offensive Back	Defensive Back	Most Improved	Holi Bergin Award
	Keanu Yamamoto	Kawohi Schutte	Zack Greenbaum	Shane Brostek
	Offensive Lineman	Defensive Lineman
	Jayse Bannister	Dustin Hoover
Boys Swimming	Dane Uy	Kulan Tarnas	Carson Magoon
Girls Swimming	Anu Nihipali	Vera Mahoney	Malia Brown
Girls Wrestling	Mikeala Owen	Tori Greco-Hiranaka	Madi Inman
Boys Wrestling	Troy Choi	Shannon Samura	Josh Ching
Boys Soccer	Trevor Edwards	Cole Moniz	Hiroki Kawakami
Girls Soccer	Katie Case	Emily Evans	Rae Kennon
	Nanea Tavares	Tori Campbell	Jah’nae Ayoso-Purdy
Boys Basketball	Dakota Berman	Keanu Yamamoto	Tyler Van Kirk
Girls Basketball	Chancis Fernandez	Nani Lum	Anna Juan	Honoring the Game
				Yuki Ainge
Boys Paddling	Kainoa Tanoai	Brock Kobayashi	Hunter Ainslie
		Kawohi Schutte
Girls Paddling	Sydney Budde	Emily Johnson	Mia Croonquist
		Kawena Lim-Samura
Boys Track	Shane Brostek	Kayden Haleakala	Michael Spetich
Girls Track	Zoe Sims	Sabrina Disney	Katie Case
		Noor Sarwar
Boys Tennis	JJ Minakata	Zane Moran	Bryce Zeffert
Girls Tennis	Mai Reinvald	Alina Sabyr	Maddie Wolfenberger
		Alua Jumbayeva
Boys Volleyball	Keanu Yamamoto	Nick Chock	Kainoa Tanoai
Water Polo	Bhillie Luciani	Tori Campbell	Anu Nihipali
GOLF	Andrew Paisley	Bo Bleckel	Justin Macy
Baseball	Jayse Bannister	Holden Pattengil	Kai Fink
Softball	Stacie Doi	Alex Disney	Tehani Grasso

BIIF track and field season gets a running start on Saturday

     It’s never easy to dethrone a champion and this track & field season won’t be any different as the Big Island Interscholastic Federation defending girls and boys champions look for a repeat.

The Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s girls and Waiakea boys look to defend their team titles when the BIIF gets a running start with dual season openers at Kamehameha and Konawaena on Saturday.

“We return a young, but experienced girls team,” Veteran Ka Makani Coach Pat Lau said.

“Our strength will be with our distance girls in events of 400 meters and above.”

Lau has the luxury of having the entire 2011 girl’s state champion cross country team on the track.

Zoe Sims, last year’s 1500 meter state champion along with Kristiana Van Pernis who placed in both the 1500 and 800 meter events at states, will headline the talented Ka Makani distance squad.

“Besides our distance girls we have two strong finishers in pole vault, Sydney Budde and Taylor Esaki,” Lau said.

Experience is the name of the game with HPA having two hurdlers in Emily Evans and Katie Case which give firepower and depth to Ka Makani track squad.

“In the rest of the events we have a lot of new girls and they should do well,” Lau said.

Lau also has a host of talent to choose from with another large turnout on the track.

“This year we have another big  team with 47 girls and 32 boys, most are still learning,” Lau said.  “Pole vault alone will have 11 athletes with only 4 having experience.”

Lau points to his coaches which are working hard at finding the right events for each of his athletes.

“Our coaches will spend time with each and every one of them to find how they can best contribute to the team,” Lau said.

The HPA boys return state shot put and discus champion Shane Brostek and Lau feels that he will have another great year.

“Our senior leader is Kayden Haleakala in the pole vault and sprints,” Lau said.  “We expect a few surprises in the hurdles and jumps with our young boys.”

Defending boy’s team champions, Waiakea, return most of their squad from last season which have coaches Mary Jane and Lance Tominaga looking for a repeat.

“We’re expecting our returnees to contribute in their events,” MJ Tominaga said.

The Tominaga’s have high expectations for Mauna Palama-Danielson, throws, Jackson Halford, Ian McQuate and Keoni Rice in the mid to long distance races, Michael Morikawa and Kevin Nicolas in the hurdles and jumps and Colton Austria in sprints.

“We have about 40 athletes on the boy’s side and we expect some of our new additions to be key contributors to this year’s team,” Coach Tominaga said.  “We feel the team will be competitive as we have the depth to field athlete in every event except for pole vault.”

Waiakea has a small girl’s team with 15 and the Tominaga’s agree that they lack the depth of the boy’s squad.

Key individuals for the Warrior girls will come from Kelsie Kobayashi in distance, Haley Rasse, mid distance and Teisha Nacis in sprints.

Around the rest of the league:

KEAAU will field a large squad of 77 athletes, but according to Coach Vicky Chai-Guerpo most are young and have raw talent.

“We have a close knit group of kids who are focused on doing their best,” Chai-Guerpo said.  “Our goal is to be a ‘brotherhood’ caring about each other and if we accomplish this, then a win may follow.”

The Cougars will rely on the experience of a sprint core made up of Jesse Huihui, Damien Packer, and Alexander Engdahl. Teammates Cliff Ericksson, jumps and hurdles; Nelson Enos, pole vault; Talon Ota, jumps and 400; Joey Aquino, high jump; Randi Estrada, sprints; and Deann Nishimura-Thornton at distance events.

HILO with veteran coach Bill McMahon has a good turnout of mostly young girls and he is trying to see how they will develop.

“Our girls will bring back Carmen Garson-Shumway at distance, along with Shina Chung at Pole Vault,” McMahon said.

The Viking boys will see Zack Atagi in the discus and shot.

“Our boys had a good turnout but almost all are new guys so we don’t know what we have yet,” McMahon said.  “We are going to try to be competitive.”

HONOKAA – One of the league’s best distance coaches, Josh Abner, brings with him one of the strongest 1500 and 3K runners on the track in Chase Moniz along with brothers Robert and Tony Conners handling the mid distance. 

“I also have high expectations for our 4×400 meter relay team and sprints with the addition of Dylan Oanadasan, Brooks McVey, and Koa Phenice returning,” Abner said.

Abner also noted that Josh Tobias will join the team, after a fantastic soccer season.

For the Dragon girls Abner has high hopes for Hildhang Adona and Kelly Greenwell in the distance races along with Nahe Lau and Yvonne Daniels in the sprint events.

KAU – has a new coach, but a familiar face on campus, Kapua Lapera returns to her alma mater after graduating and running cross country for the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

The Trojans return one of the islands fastest sprinter and jumper in junior Christina Padrigo. 

Marley Stand-Nicolaisen, triple jump and hurdles along with teammate Alika Kaopua, the BIIF triple jump champion will also be a highlight for Kau.

KAMEHAMEHA – Under head coach Kimo Weaver always produces outstanding hurdlers who have gone on to win state titles.  Weaver is a master coach in the hurdles as that is his area of expertise.

The Warriors will carry between 20 and 30 boys and another 20 to 30 girls, according to Weaver.

Outstanding returnees include Kaenen Aukai Akau in the long jump and sprints along with Chelsea Poe in sprints and relays and Alyssa Lehua McGuire in the hurdles, pole vault and relays.

“Our strengths are in the jumps, but we are a young and inexperienced team,” Weaver said. “Our main goal is to simple get better every week and having fun doing it.”

KONAWAENA –  Wildcat coaches Kuulei Saole and Kuulika Taveras return some super star power in Ua Ruedy, the defending state champion in the 300 hurdles and Lita Taomoefalau who placed third in the BIIF throws.

The big question was whether or not basketball great Lia Galderia will compete as she was questionable going into the preseason while she was still working on preparing for college, according to a school source.

Galderia, a muli talented athlete will appear in action on the BIIF track scene, as her presence will add a boost to the Wildcat program according to sources within the BIIF.

The BIIF regular track and field season gets a leaping start this Saturday as West side schools head to Kona with East side running on the Kamehameha Keaau track.

Both venues start with field events at 9 am and running events commencing at 10 am.

HHSAA state girls cross country championships, photos and results

Girls Team Results

1. Hawaii Prep; 2. Punahou 50; 3. Kamehameha-Oahu 120; 4. Iolani 153; 5. Seabury 155; 6. Leilehua 161; 7. Hilo 206; 8. Radford 212; 9. Kauai 229; 10. Baldwin 281; 11. Waipahu 287; 12. Kamehameha-Hawaii 299; 13. Kaiser 320; 14. Kapolei 351; 15. Pearl City 363; 16. Kamehameha-Maui 401

Girls individual   1. Dakota Grossman Seabury 19:27.5   2. Elli Brady Punahou 19:47.3

3. Kyleigh Mann Punahou 19:54.1   4. Breanne Ball Iolani 20:06.7

5. Kristiana Van Pernis Hawaii Prep 20:22.0   6. Mariah Haight Hawaii Prep 20:27.5

7. Zoe Sims Hawaii Prep 20:33.0   8. Emily Evans Hawaii Prep 20:35.8

9. Kelly Ulrich Hawaii Prep 20:38.1   10. Hallie Lam Punahou 20:40.6

11. Kelsie Kobayashi Waiakea 20:44.5   12. Carly Neal Kamehameha-Oahu 20:46.6

13. Justine Malek Seabury 20:46.6   14. Joy Claypoole Island School 20:48.0

15. Kari Van Mols Kealakehe 20:48.7   16. Kiana Smith Seabury 20:49.8

17. Tandeka Nunn Radford 20:49.8   18. Kelsi Teramae Island Pacific 20:53.0

19. Melissa Wong Punahou 20:53.5   20. Brooklin Jensen Leilehua 21:04.9

21. Katelyn Lacamera Leilehua 21:06.6   22. Tessa Baker Radford 21:15.1

girls top 20

23. Kai Hoshijo Kamehameha-Oahu 21:16.9   24. Noe Lum Punahou 21:19.0

25. Jamie Durso Punahou 21:27.8   26. Carmen Garson-Shum Hilo 21:45.3

27. Lindsey Mau St. Francis 21:45.3   28. Ellie Bio Baldwin 21: 45.4

29. Liana Dollar Kamehameha-Oahu 21:54.8   30. Satya Ray Hilo 21:55.3

31. Krista Schnackenbe Kauai 21:58.3   32. Risa Lam University High 22:00.5

33. Heidi Herr Kauai 22:09.5   34. Deylynn White Kapolei 22:12.8

35. Sydney Kirkhill Kealakehe 22:12.9   36. Alexis Damo Sacred Hearts 22:14.4

37. Cassie Wilson Kapaa 22:16.0   38. Joy Choe Makua Lani 22:17.5

39. Kaycee San-Agustin Waimea 22:19.5   40. Celina Eklund Leilehua 22:24.1

41. Cassidy Cox Mid Pacific 22:24.1   42. Domenique Banta Moanalua 22:24.4

43. Jennifer Borziller Island Pacific 22:24.8   44. Keri Fujiwara Waipahu 22:26.5

45. Grace Choe Makua Lani 22:27.2   46. Kaile Eli Pearl City 22:29.9

47. Deann Nishimura-Thornton Keaau 22:31.3  48. Brianna Summer Kamehameha-Oahu 22:32.7

49. Ishly-Ann Agbayani Waipahu 22:33.2   50. Kimiko Matsuda-Law University High 22:38.8

51. Janelle Stone Kamehameha-Oahu 22:39.1   52. Paige Omura Iolani 22:41.5

53. Veronica Ladwig Hawaii Prep 22:42.8   54. Chaynna Guinto Iolani 22:46.6

55. Krislyn Kuraya Iolani 22:47.3   56. Marissa Miyagi Iolani 22:48.0

57. Tamako Delfino Roosevelt 22:49.4   58. Erin Carvalho Kamehameha-Hawaii 22:51.1

59. McKenzie Arita Kaiser 22:52.7   60. Kailee Murray-Pass Kaiser 22:53.5

Other Big Island finishers

61. Shayli Nakamoto Konawaena 22:53.5   63. Shalila De Bourmon Hilo 22:55.0

66. Mika Bettencourt Kealakehe 23:03.2   67. Corin Kim Kamehameha-Hawaii 23:05.4

69. Cat Bradley Hawaii Prep 23:06.2   80. Jordyn Breitbarth Hilo 23:24.4

81. Kaylee Rapoza Hilo 23:24.7   82. Keili Dorn Makua Lani 23:26.0

84. Hildhang Adona Honokaa 23:31.4   85. Elizabeth Aguirre Honokaa 23:33.5

92. Kelly Greenwell Honokaa 23:42.4   94. Mikela Cabel Kamehameha-Hawaii 23:44.0

95. Tiffany Nakamura Makua Lani 23:44.1   100. Natalie Hagemann Keaau 23:51.1

101. Katie Aguilar Honokaa 23:51.5   104. Jillian Hughes Waiakea 23:55.8

109. Tiana Iwata Kamehameha-Hawaii 24:09.6   114. Skye Ombac Waiakea 24:22.3

118. Nina Bean Hilo 24:33.3   133. Tehani Jones Kamehameha-Hawaii 24:54.5

134. Jessica Busek Waiakea 24:55.8   155. Karina Lawrence Hilo 27:02.1