StarBulletin.com

Dangerous dancer


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POSTED: Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Throughout her high school years, Kamehameha's Macy Yonamine has participated in a variety of non-sport activities.

“;All of them have been fun and enjoyable,”; Yonamine said. However, there is one particular leisure interest that has helped lift Yonamine to notable success as a talented high school girls wrestler.

That activity is contemporary jazz dancing.

“;It teaches me balance first of all and increases my flexibility,”; Yonamine pointed out. “;Because I have very good balance and flexibility I've been able to win consistently over the years.

“;My flexibility helps me to maneuver out of tight spots a lot easier than your typical wrestler. And my excellent balance helps me avoid getting tossed all over the mat.”;

Yonamine says she has danced as long as she can remember.

“;I can remember going to dance academy when I was around 3 years old, mainly to learn ballet tap. The dance techniques that I learned at that age I use today in my matches. These techniques give me that edge over my opponents in that I am able to move around the mat quicker,”; she said.

Yonamine is a strong contender to win back-to-back state titles at the Chevron/HHSAA championships Friday and Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena. Last year, she captured the 108-pound division state crown, defeating Kahuku's Anrian Auna by pinfall in the championship.

This season Yonamine will compete in the 103-pound weight class. Yonamine says she is wrestling at a lower weight division to give her team a greater opportunity at winning the state team title.

Last Saturday at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu championships, the Kamehameha girls took the team title narrowly over Punahou (182.5 to 179).

Yonamine, who is part-Hawaiian from her mother's side, led the way with a pinfall victory over Pacific Buddhist Academy's Nagatani Quinn in the 103-pound division. That victory kept intact Yonamine's undefeated record this season.

Yonamine says she got started in wrestling as a crossover from judo.

Last judo season, Yonamine defeated Punahou's Nicole Taniguchi to attain the state title in the 103-pound weight division.

“;Judo came before wrestling, but wrestling is where I have spent the most time preparing for. It is fun to wrestle, but it's a lot of hard work. You have to put more time into training your body for the bumps and bruises that are a part of the sport,”; Yonamine said.

Kamehameha girls coach Brandon Shimabukuro said, “;Macy is by far the most talented wrestler I have ever had the pleasure of coaching.”;

Shimabukuro says Yonamine's leadership will be crucial to the Warriors' efforts to win the state team title. “;With Macy on the team we have a real chance at winning. She gives encouragement and experience to her teammates. All season long she's been really unselfish in not only winning her matches, but she wrestles wherever the team needs.”;

Yonamine credits her closeness with her brothers for her fondness for wanting to participate in contact sports.

“;My two brothers and I all started wrestling around our house at an early age,”; the Pearl City resident said.

“;From there, we all started judo together when I was in the second grade. And then when we got to middle school we all got involved in wrestling competitively,”; Yonamine said. “;My brothers helped me a lot in my training, especially when I first got started.”;

In the future Yonamine has high hopes of attending a college where she can study criminal justice.

Yonamine, daughter of Kurt and Sheri Yonamine, concedes that wrestling at the state tourney will be emotional for her. She emphasized that no matter what happens at the state meet that it will be a day she will cherish forever.

“;The state meet will probably be the last time I will wrestle competitively. It will be sad for me because I like my teammates. I've wrestled for Kamehameha since the seventh grade. It's been long, but it's been really fun as well,”; Yonamine said.

“;I'm going to miss wrestling for Kamehameha. But I think the work ethics that I learned by being in this sport will surely help me in my future life.”;