High School Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Kahuku's Torres bumps up weight despite shaved head
The Kahuku Red Raiders will be the last to pat themselves on the back, but on the mat, they are contending for league and state crowns once again.
Richard Torres, who has been one of the finest grapplers in the state since his freshman year, has bumped up to the 145-pound weight class. He recently captured the division crown at the Maui Invitational and is now 8-0 in the young season despite the change in weight.
"I can go down to 135, but for the team it's better for me to stay at 145," said Torres, who helped lead Kahuku to the state football title earlier in the month. He had three days of practice on the mat before the Maui Invitational. His tourney title is a testament to fundamentals and coaching. His father, Reggie Torres, has been wrestling head coach for 18 seasons.
Still, moving up 10 pounds is no easy feat.
"Now I know where I stand technique-wise, but I have to get into shape and everything else will fall into place," the senior said.
He defeated Josh Plechaty, Punahou's tough wrestler, 8-2 on Maui. Over the weekend. Torres edged Plechaty 5-3 at the Officials Tournament at Leilehua.
He has plenty of motivation after placing second at 135 a season ago. He's thinking in larger terms, though.
"I think we can be a contender. Right now the favorite is Punahou and possibly Pearl City. We're young, so hopefully by the end of the season, we'll be up there," he said, noting that this year's Red Raiders are stocked with a ton of junior-varsity products. Only three of Kahuku's grapplers that went to Maui are seniors.
In the meantime, Torres is still getting used to a more aerodynamic existence.
"I shaved my head," said Torres, who wore shoulder-length hair all through football season. "It's illegal if your hair isn't a certain length. You can wear a hairnet, but my dad doesn't let the boys wear them.
"He said, 'Yup, now you look like a wrestler.' "
Footage to Texas:
Doris Sullivan of Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance will be at the American Football Coaches Conference in less than two weeks to distribute footage to potential recruiters.
Sullivan, who offers service to Hawaii student-athletes at no charge, had success helping players when she last attended the conference a few years ago. The upcoming conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas.
"I will be handing out DVDs to some very anxious coaches who are expecting plenty of video from PIAA," she said.
Sullivan encourages players to send her full game footage from any and all high schools. For more information, go to www.pacificathleticalliance.com or call Sullivan at 226-7077.
Athletes of the week
BOYS
Spencer McLachlin, Punahou basketball: scored 19 points with 15 rebounds against Villa Park (Calif.) in the final of the Punahou Tournament. Also scored 17 points in a semifinal win over St. Mary's (N.Y.).
GIRLS
Caira Pires, Kalaheo softball: went 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs against Kaimuki. She was also the winning pitcher.
Honor roll
BASKETBALL
Beau Albrechtson, Kaimuki: scored 22 points against Campbell and 20 against Kamehameha.
Troy Antoque, Pearl City: scored 22 points against Maui.
Tyler Caswell, Kalaheo: scored 26 points against Marshall (Ore.).
Breydan Castillo, Ka'u: scored 30 points against Christian Liberty.
Walter Daniels, Campbell: scored 25 points against Mililani.
David Howell, Keaau: scored 22 points against Hilo.
Cheynne Lishman, Kalaheo: scored 21 points against Mojave (Nev.).
Riley McKibbin, Punahou II: scored 23 points against Thompson.
Case Miyahira, Iolani: scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers, against White Station (Tenn.). The senior guard also scored 20 points, including four more treys, against Vincent (Wis.).
Liloa Nobriga, Iolani: scored 19 points against White Station (Tenn.).
Donovan Olmos, Mililani: scored 22 points against Campbell.
Clifton Pires, Kalaheo: scored 22 points against Mojave (Nev.).
Vincent Sanekane, Pahoa: scored 22 points against Christian Liberty.
Tristian Sealy, Thompson: scored 23 points against Word of Life and 19 against Punahou II.
Scott Smith, Saint Louis: scored 26 points against Radford and 26 against Moanalua.
Keoni Ucker, Christian Liberty: scored 32 points against Ka'u.
SOCCER
Chyanne Alejado, Kapolei: scored three goals against Radford.
Nick Botelho, Saint Louis: scored four goals against Damien.
Ashley Carillo, Waialua: scored all three of her team's goals against McKinley.
Chazmyne Morgan, Nanakuli girls: scored four goals against McKinley.
SOFTBALL
Makani Duhaylonsod, Mililani: went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and hurled a shutout against Aiea.
Ambree Hauhio, Nanakuli: went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs against Kahuku.
Kishti Kamaka, Kapolei: fired a shutout and went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs against Waipahu.
Kira Kubota, Punahou: went 3-for-4 against Maryknoll.
Leann Lariosa, Pac-Five: went 3-for-3 with two doubles against Sacred Hearts.
Tara Odo, Iolani: went 3-for-4 against Maryknoll.
Breanne Patton, Campbell: hurled a shutout against Pearl City.
Mya Quinn, Mid-Pacific: went 2-for-4 with a home run against Iolani.
Nicole Reister, Waiakea: went 3-for-4 with two RBIs against Kamehameha-Hawaii.
Courtney Senas, Mililani: went 4-for-4 against Aiea
Ka'ili Smith, Kapolei: went 3-for-3 with a homer and two doubles against Waipahu.
To nominate ...
To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:
Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com
To nominate ...
To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:
Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com
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