HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
KIF trying to add wrestling
Two firsts are coming to the Garden Island, if Bill Arakaki and supporters of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation have their way.
The KIF, which has never had wrestling, hopes to begin the sport in the 2007-08 school year, said Arakaki, the league's executive director.
The league revealed its plan yesterday during the latest powwow of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive board at Mid-Pacific Institute.
Arakaki added that there is also a plan in motion to possibly telecast two basketball games. The KIF is seeking sponsorships to fund a "pilot project" that would allow OC 16 to broadcast the Kauai-Kapaa boys basketball game Feb. 9 and a Waimea-Kauai girls basketball game March 30.
The games would be shown after a 2-hour delay.
"Kauai people will still come to the games," Arakaki said. "There's nothing else to do on a Friday night."
Wrestling would seem to be a natural fit for KIF athletes. The development of the sport has been accelerated, Arakaki said, by youth involvement. He cited the West Kauai Wrestling Club as an example.
"They've always had good athletes, and they've always had good judo programs," HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya said. "Those kids would be more inclined."
Certify or else: Coaches who are not certified within two years of their date of hire will be banned from state tournaments. That was decided by the board in near-unanimous fashion.
Leading the pack: Locally, despite some initial opposition, measures were passed to check on drastic weight loss in high school wrestling more than six years ago.
The trend has spread.
"Comprehensive weight-monitoring program is now a national federation rule," Amemiya said.