HIGH SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
Strong showing for Radford boys, girls at OIA track trials
Radford is poised for a return to its track and field glory days.
The Rams are in great position to win their 16th boys Oahu Interscholastic Association championship and first in 10 years after yesterday's trials at Mililani.
The finals are tomorrow at John Kauinana Stadium. The host and defending champion Trojans will have a hard time repeating in both the boys and girls meets, partly because it is the night of their prom.
The Radford girls have a good chance to win their ninth title and first since 1983 -- although Kahuku is also very much in the chase after yesterday's trials at Mililani.
The Leilehua boys, with their strong distance runners, figured to challenge Radford and its blazing sprinters. But Alan Akagi, the OIA West champion in the 800 meters, scratched with an injury.
"At one point Leilehua looked like they had a chance, since their distance runners are as good as Radford's sprinters," said Mililani assistant coach Edwin Alfaro. "But Radford is also strong in the hurdles, and losing Akagi hurts Mililani."
Radford's Christopher Rainey swept the sprints at the West meet, and the transfer from St. Louis, Mo., easily qualified in all three last night. He also led the Rams to the top time in the 4x100 and a third-best heat in the 4x400.
Rainey has plenty of backup in Jonathan Atangan and Donniqtay Campbell. Hurdler Nathan Blue was the fastest qualifier in both hurdles events.
"The Radford sprinters looked like they were holding back, doing enough to qualify," Alfaro said.
The Radford girls qualified first in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
Waianae's chances were hurt when a bad pass got it disqualified in the 4x100.
Freshman Zhane Santiago positioned the Kahuku girls for major points, taking the lead in the triple jump, second in the long jump and qualifying first in the 100 hurdles.