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Tuesday, February 22, 2000

Wrestling titles
up for grabs

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Kamehameha's three-year grip on the boys' title will likely come to an end in the Data House State Wrestling Championships, set for Friday and Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena. All six of the Warriors' 1999 individual champions are gone.

Who will end up on top?

"I think there are some clear favorites," Iolani coach Carl Schroers said. "Us, St. Louis, Punahou and Kahuku."

Schroers was quick to point out he doesn't know much about the neighbor island teams. But if the seedings list is an indicator, none have enough depth to contend.

Maui, however, has one of the seven returning champions -- Saia Lotulelei in the 275-pound class and Lahainaluna another in Kawika Casco at 171. The other defending champions are Travis Lee (119) of St. Louis; Ken Kakesako (125) and Taylor Takata (140) of Iolani, and Mark Grammer (145) of Castle. All have moved up in weight from last year.

"The champions are spread around pretty well," said Schroers, who coached Iolani to 10 state championships from 1984 to 1996.

The Raiders are among the deep teams. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu champs have 13 wrestlers and one alternate.

In addition to Kakesako and Takata, Brent Nakasone (130) and Clayton Schroers (215), the coach's son, are seeded No. 1.

Malama Sylve of Leilehua (220) is the only defending champion in the girls' meet. Moanalua is the girls' defending state champion.

Qualifying rounds begin Friday at 10:30 a.m., followed by preliminary and quarterfinal matches.