Punahou's Cabreros a triple-jump threat
Punahou coach Duncan Macdonald had just a few words of advice for star triple-jumper Samantha Cabreros yesterday at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu trials.
"Stick to your specialty," Macdonald told Cabreros as she got ready for her signature event at the Kamehameha track. "Don't be a jack of all trades and master of none."
Macdonald smiled as he said it, because he knows no one in the state has thoroughly mastered an event the past three years the way Cabreros has dominated the triple jump.
The Buffanblu can count on 10 points from the two-time state champion every meet -- and often, 10 more in the long jump.
Cabreros -- who already holds the ILH and state records in the triple -- figures to continue her reign as queen of the runway tomorrow at the ILH finals, as well as next week at the state meet on Maui.
Although she fell short of her goal of 40 feet yesterday, Cabreros went 38-6.75 in the triple and won't have to jump again to collect her gold. Her 17-9.25 in the long jump should also withstand any challenges.
Cabreros has been so good for so long, you have to wonder what motivates her.
"Not too many people break state records as a sophomore and continue to improve," Punahou jumps coach Vern Hashimoto said.
"The gains usually stop. We throw a lot of functional training at her, and she keeps getting better."
Cabreros said Hashimoto's coaching -- and a taste of quality national competition at last summer's Golden West Invitational -- has helped her strive for improvement.
"It helps to have Coach Vern because he finds lots of ways to motivate me, keep my drive going," she said.
"At the Golden West, I came in second-to-last in my flight. I learned how much competition there is out there."
Cabreros figures to lead the Punahou girls to their fifth consecutive ILH championship. As usual, the Buffanblu are talented and deep. Sprinter Ashley Satterwhite and distance runner Mari Carmichael are both poised to score heavily.
The Kamehameha boys' streak of four league titles is in serious jeopardy, as the Punahou boys have come into their own.
Buffanblu junior sprinter Zach Coronas emerged last week with a 49.57 in the 400 meters, and he was the top qualifier yesterday at 50.93.
He was hoping for a rematch with Saint Louis' Billy Stutzmann, who edged him with 49.56 last week.
But Stutzmann's dance card is filled with the 100, 200 and both relays (the ILH allows individuals to enter four events per meet).
They will clash in the 200, where Stutzmann qualified first in 22.70 and Coronas second in 22.85.
"He has a very natural running style that you can't teach," Punahou sprints coach Gary Satterwhite said of Coronas.
"He's very smooth. Plus he's a hard-working kid."
The Buffanblu boys will likely get a first from Drew Uperesa, defending champion in the shot put. He qualified first with a heave of 53-5. Damien's Sione Tau is also poised to repeat in discus after throwing it 154-9 yesterday.
Much of Kamehameha's hopes rest on Brandon Hardin.
He ended yesterday first in the long jump (22-8) and the triple (43-10) and was fastest in the 100 at 11.21.
"He's the key," Warriors coach Sam Moku said. "We don't have enough depth. Basically Punahou's in the lead and it's theirs to lose."
Tomorrow's finals at Kamehameha begin with the boys discus at 4 p.m.
The first running event, the girls 110 hurdles, starts at 5 p.m.