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Wednesday, February 28, 2001
Mighty Menehunes Stephany Lee and Caylene Valdez have rarely tasted defeat in their wrestling careers.
Moanalua's top wrestling duo
will try to make it three in a rowBy Brandon Lee
Special to the Star-BulletinMoanalua's two top-seeded wrestlers are looking to ensure that the trend continues, as they lead the two-time defending state champion Menehunes into the third annual Data House Girls State Wrestling Championships Friday and Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena.
Both Lee, a junior, and Valdez, a sophomore, are defending state champions who are nationally ranked and come from judo backgrounds. Lee competes in the 140-pound division and Valdez at 108.
DATA HOUSE STATE
WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPSWhere: Blaisdell Arena
Valdez has never lost in the islands and is ranked in the top 10 in the nation, according to coach Joel Kawachi. The only defeats of her career came when she placed fourth and fifth at the U.S. Girls Nationals the past two years.
Lee, wrestling for only her second season, has never competed at nationals, though she is currently ranked No. 2.
Her only defeat came earlier this year when she forfeited a preseason match in Maui for executing a hard takedown that was ruled an illegal slam. But Kawachi struggles with considering that a real loss.
"As far as talent, I don't think anybody comes close to them (in history of Moanalua program)," Kawachi said. "But now, because there are so many people out there that want to beat them, they have to work harder and really push themselves. They go all out, all the time."
Lee, Valdez and the rest of the Menehunes will all have to go all out if they are to beat the rest of the field at the state tournament, particularly Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division rival Castle.
The Knights handed Moanalua its first regular-season loss ever earlier this year, and tied the Menehunes last weekend at the OIA championships.Some, including Kawachi, consider Castle a slight favorite. But don't tell that to either Lee or Valdez.
"It's good to have pressure because it makes you better," Lee said.
Said Valdez: "I think we'll do really good in states. I'm ready for it, no worries."
Both Lee and Valdez conceded, however, that the Knights probably have more overall experience as a team.
Still, the matchup continues to look pretty even on paper going into states, with Castle and Moanalua both having qualified nine wrestlers, and the Knights also having a top-seed and defending state title-holder in 121-pound senior Cathy Migita.
"We're going to need big performances from everyone," Castle coach Ben Guerrero said. "It's going to be tight, just like the OIAs."
Of Lee and Valdez in particular, he said: "They are good offensive and defensive wrestlers who can take it to you from anywhere on the mat."
Moanalua has two other wrestlers who were state bronze medalists in their respective weight divisions last year, and two more who finished in the top five.
"Everybody takes care of their part," Lee said. "They do theirs and we do ours, so that way, the team comes as one."
And as for any added pressure that can come with the chance to three-peat and potentially build the foundation for a dynasty, both shrugged it off.
"You take one day at a time," Valdez said. "If we take (states) three times, then that's really good, I'd be so proud. If we don't, all we can say is we tried our best and we can still say we were the first school to take it."
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