STAR-BULLETIN ALL-STATE TEAM

Lending a helping hand

Baldwin goalkeeper Mahie Atay
is the Player of the Year after
helping the Bears capture the MIL title

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By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

Once Mahie Atay's hands latch on to something, the chances of escape are slim.

The Baldwin goalkeeper's secure mitts helped the Bears capture the Maui Interscholastic League title and advance to the state championship match for the third consecutive year.

While Mililani managed to wrest the state crown away from the Bears this season, Atay had certainly done enough to wrap her hands around 2002 Star-Bulletin state player of the year honors.

"She has great hands," Baldwin coach Kawika Keator said. "The ball gets stuck like glue."

"The whole year Mahie was the one that tried to push everyone to get better and work harder," he added. "Before this year she never really said anything, and this year she really opened up."

Atay, a senior, and Mililani coach James Uson headline this year's All-State team.

Uson is the state coach of the year after leading Mililani to the Oahu Interscholastic Association title and its first state championship since 1988, taking the title away from two-time defending champion Baldwin.

Under his guidance, the Trojans went 14-0-1 and finished the season ranked 21st in the Student Sports Fab 50 winter soccer rankings.

"What I'm going to miss is our 13 seniors," Uson said. "I had the leaders, they'd been through all the frustrating years.

"It's going to be hard to top this year, but I've got six girls returning from the starting group. So we'll have some experience back."

Atay is one of five repeat members of the All-State first team. Joining Atay as two-time honorees are fellow Baldwin standout Koren Takeyama and Mililani's Mele French, Jolie Nitta and Mallory Iha.

Baldwin and Mililani combined to place seven players on the 13-member first team.

Atay's stinginess in goal helped the Bears earn a trip back to the state title match despite the loss of two-time player of the year Nicole Garbin and earned her the support of the vast majority of coaches and officials polled for the All-State selections.

"I think it was her leadership," Uson said. "You could see it on the field. When things weren't going right she organized her defense."

Atay's shining moment came in the state tournament semifinals, when she helped the Bears defeat Punahou in penalty kicks.

She had made several spectacular saves throughout the match to send the match into overtime tied 1-1. After two scoreless periods, Punahou took a 2-0 lead in penalty kicks, but Atay blocked the next two shots and a third went wide as the Bears went on to win the shootout 3-2.

"Especially when it came down to penalty kicks, we knew we had a shot at it with her in the goal," Keator said.

Mililani's French was the most feared scorer in the state this season, finding the net 23 times in OIA matches, and was the focal point of the Trojans' state title march.

"Teams had a hard time with her because she's so fast up front," Uson said. "She was one of our leaders. She just kept everybody focused and in the game and was hard on everybody as far as demanding the best out of them."

While French lit up the scoreboard, Uson credited Nitta with keeping the Trojans on track throughout the season.

"She really was what kept this team going," he said. "She was the star behind the scenes. She didn't score the goals or make the saves, but she kept the team together. She was the glue between the defense and the offense."

Iha, who battled through injuries this season, and Jen Loo anchored the Mililani defense. Both are juniors along with second-team goalkeeper Eryn Kishimoto and should give the Trojans a solid foundation entering next season.

Baldwin's Kami Kapaku, Pearl City's Carmen Calpo and Punahou's Adria Campbell join French and Kapaku on the forward line. Calpo scored 15 goals in OIA play, while Campbell led the Interscholastic League of Honolulu with seven.

Punahou's Romy Trigg-Smith and Aiea's Jodie Unten are the all-state midfielders along with Takeyama and Nitta.

Baldwin's Kapua Atay joins Iha and Loo on the team's defensive unit.

Punahou senior Charlene Lui makes the team as a utility player. She played everywhere except in goal for the Buffanblu and provided quickness and energy wherever she appeared on the field.

French, Lui, Calpo and Trigg-Smith have already made their college commitments. French is headed for Oregon, Lui is going to Brigham Young, Calpo signed with Hawaii and Trigg-Smith will attend Princeton.

Keator said Mahie Atay is still mulling her college options. And given her performance this season, a spot on a college roster may also be within her grasp.

FIRST TEAM

Name	School	Position	Class
Kami Kapaku	Baldwin	Forward	Senior
Carmen Calpo	Pearl City	Forward	Senior
Mele French	Mililani	Forward	Senior
Adria Campbell	Punahou	Forward	Junior
Koren Takeyama	Baldwin	Midfielder	Junior
Romy Trigg-Smith	Punahou	Midfielder	Senior
Jolie Nitta	Mililani	Midfielder	Senior
Jodie Unten	Aiea	Midfielder	Senior
Mallory Iha	Mililani	Defender	Junior
Kapua Atay	Baldwin	Defender	Junior
Jen Loo	Mililani	Defender	Junior
Charlene Lui	Punahou	Utility	Senior
Mahie Atay	Baldwin	Goalkeeper	Senior

Player of the Year: Mahie Atay, Baldwin
Coach of the Year: James Uson, Mililani

SECOND TEAM

Name	School	Position	Class
Lindsey Peck	Kalaheo	Forward	Senior
Megan Abbott	Punahou	Forward	Senior
Kimberly Unten	Aiea	Forward	Junior
Lisa Franke	Kealakehe	Forward	Junior
Rachael Gonzales	Kailua	Midfielder	Senior
Julie Broussard	Mililani	Midfielder	Senior
Mia Van Kralingen	Hilo	Midfielder	Junior
Ashley Doi	Mililani	Midfielder	Senior
Shelby Greer	Aiea	Defender	Senior
Rachel Nicholson	Pearl City	Defender	Senior
Tanya Jo Street	Hilo	Defender	Senior
Tori Kim	Baldwin	Defender	Junior
Eryn Kishimoto	Mililani	Goalkeeper	Junior

Honorable mention

Forwards: Jasmine Stevenson, Kapaa; Lauran Dignam, Iolani; Chante Figueroa, Pearl City.

Midfielders: Taryn Apo, Baldwin; Sheri Wilhelm, Hawaii Prep; Kara Ishikawa, Iolani; Jessica Domingo, Kamehameha; Kelly Devitt, Kapaa; Kanoe Arinaga, Kapaa.

Defenders: Lindsay Yuh, Punahou; Randene Ako, Aiea; Shaina Sonobe, Punahou; Kelsey Baker, Punahou; Seline Williams, Kamehameha; Lori Sakai, Iolani; Tiana Laranio, Kapaa.

Goalkeeper: Amy Lusk, Kalaheo; Tania Tasic, Kapaa; Allison Lipsher, Punahou; Megan Omura, Iolani.

OIA East

Player of the Year -- Rachel Gonzales, Kailua
Coach of the Year -- Alan Heu, Kalaheo

First team -- Goalkeeper: Amy Lusk, Jr., Kalaheo. Defenders: Chelsea Wong, So., Kalani; Nicole Takemoto, Sr., Kaimuki; Jana Yoshino, So., Kaiser; Brandi Benson, Jr., Kalaheo. Attackers: Allison Lee, Sr., Kaiser; Jasmine Yoshino, Sr., Kaiser; Rachel Gonzales, Sr., Kailua; Lindsey Peck, Sr., Kalaheo; Krisha Kai, Jr., Kahuku; Lesley Fujitani, Sr., Kalani.

Second team -- Goalkeeper: Tiana Cho, Sr., Roosevelt. Defenders: Marisa Yamada, So., Kailua; Valeen Giron, Sr., Roosevelt; Jackie Camit, Sr., Kahuku; Kari Shimomura, Sr., McKinley. Attackers: Tobi Kanehira, Fr., Roosevelt; Tina Garcia, So., Kalaheo; Kelly Higa, Sr., Roosevelt; Kelly Tengan, So., Roosevelt; Kamakamae Rezantes, Sr., Kahuku; Cherissa Tamayori, Sr., Kalani.

Honorable mention -- Castle: Dionne Kaneshiro, Megan Yogi, Leilani Kaluhiokalani-Myers, Aimee Watanabe, Leonie Sugai, Miki Iwai. Kailua: Stacy Takekawa, Keona Byers, Anela Ramelb, Anela Gonzales, Taryn Imai. Kaimuki: Jessica Arakawa, Bich Le, April Yasaka, Emily Sato. Kalaheo: Jen Katres, Jenny Junk, Breton Frazer, Rachel Cordery, Emily Garcia. Kalani: Lauren Cheng, Megan Suehiro, Kristie Saiki, Sandi Iha. McKinley: Sachi Lopez, Chelsea Maemori, Stephanie Oyama, Tiffany Takata. Roosevelt: Raylynne Silva, Kelli Kuwamura, Dara Kiyuna, Alyssa Furukawa. Moanalua: Brooke Hayashi, Lena Lee, Kimberly Ito, Loran Hamano, Peperlyn Baguio, Jessie Kamakura, Jaime Toyofuku, Renee Nahina, Minnie Pruner, Kristine Okumura, Lina Pruner, Randy Uyeda, Lauren Sayson, Joann Manual, Brittany Briem.

OIA West

Players of the Year -- Mele French and Jolie Nitta, Mililani
Coach of the Year -- James Uson, Mililani

First team -- Goalkeeper: Eryn Kishimoto, Jr., Mililani. Forwards: Mele French, Sr., Mililani; Carmen Calpo, Sr., Pearl City. Halfback: Jolie Nitta, Sr., Mililani; Jodie Unten, Sr., Aiea; Joni Yoon, Jr., Pearl City; Roxanne Lloyd, Fr., Waialua. Fullbacks: Jen Loo, Jr., Mililani; Rachel Nicholson, Sr., Pearl City; Randene Ako, Jr., Aiea; Shelby Greer, Sr., Aiea.

Second team -- Goalkeeper: Diana Shiroma, Jr., Aiea. Forwards: Kimberly Unten, Jr., Aiea; Julie Broussard, Sr., Mililani. Halfback: Tracie Miura, Jr., Pearl City; Jessica Jackson, So., Leilehua; Liane Tom, Jr., Mililani; Claire Yabes, So., Radford. Fullbacks: Ashley Yoshizu, Jr., Waialua; Jonalle Edra, Jr., Leilehua; Christina Swartz, Jr., Radford; Chanel Wong, Sr., Leilehua.

Honorable mention -- Aiea: Jodie Toyama, Dana Kagawa, Loren Osaki. Campbell: Hoku Leiato, Raynette Whitfield, Irene Bayudan, Denise Alonzo, Natasha Hong. Leilehua: Karley Peterson, Nachelle Scott, Kristi Shigeoka, Bianca Preslar-Medina. Mililani: Erica Salvador, Jasmine Kim, Ashlee Doi, Sarah Yoro, Brandi Matsumoto. Pearl City: Kori Nitta, Shayna Egloria, Chante Figueroa. Radford: Jessie Sur, Christina Arnold, Casey Norris, Vanessa Avila, Sheena Fuertes, Jenna Johnson-Endo. Nanakuli: Jasmine Carvalho, Chelsey Kaimi, Jasmine Wagner, Chanel Ching, Ashley Gasper, Teila Watson. Waianae: Michelle Ah King, Janeen Lee-Abelaye, Tristina Nitta. Waialua: Crystalen Lopez, Lorin Milotta, Michelle Umbay, Melissa Baker, Krystin Galapia, Jennifer Luke.

ILH

Player of the Year -- Lauran Dignam, Iolani
Coach of the Year -- Eddie Wong, Pac-Five

First team -- Goalkeeper: Brittney Aiwohi, Pac-Five. Forwards: Adria Campbell, Punahou; Lauran Dignam, Iolani; Charlene Lui, Punahou. Midfielders: Kara Ishikawa, Iolani; Romy Trigg-Smith, Punahou; Jessica Domingo, Kamehameha. Fullbacks: Seline Williams, Kamehameha; Monica Yempuku, Pac-Five; Lehua Wood, Kamehameha; Lori Sakai, Iolani.

Second team -- Goalkeeper: Megan Omura, Iolani. Forwards: Keomailani Eaton, Kamehameha; Shannon Nishi, Mid-Pacific; Britta Bourne, Pac-Five. Midfielders: Kaily Lam, Punahou; Kelly Figueira, Pac-Five; Jaime Benoza, Kamehameha. Fullbacks: Heather Motonaga, Iolani; Karlee Ka'ili'ehu, Pac-Five; Laurie Nakamura, Mid-Pacific; Karlyn Oyama, Pac-Five.

Honorable mention -- Kelsey Baker, Punahou; Tiffany Todo, Iolani; Heather Paik, Mid-Pacific; Monica Chock, St. Francis.

KIF

Player of the Year -- Jasmine Stevenson, Kapaa
Coach of the Year -- Althea Arinaga, Kapaa

First team -- Goalkeeper: Hillary Cox, Kauai; Tania Tasic, Kapaa. Forwards: Jasmine Stevenson, Kapaa; Jackie Huttger, Kapaa, Madison Perry, Kauai. Midfielders: Kanoe Arinaga, Kapaa; Kelly Devitt, Kapaa; Amber Santos, Kauai. Defenders: LaRisa Nebre, Kapaa; Nicole Phillips, Kapaa; Tiana Laranio, Kapaa; Sarah Agudong, Kapaa.

BIIF

Player of the Year -- Lisa Franke, Kealakehe
Coach of the Year -- Kelsey Hiraishi, Hilo

First team -- Goalkeeper: Cecily Okimura, Hilo. Forwards: Rachel Gleed, Hawaii Prep; Lisa Franke, Kealakehe; Amy Malinowski, St. Joseph. Midfielders: JoBette Nabarro, Waiakea; Mikela Yarawamai, Hawaii Prep; Sheri Wilhelm, Hawaii Prep; Rodlyn Segawa, Hilo. Defenders: Eila Bernstein, Hawaii Prep; Tanya Jo Street, Hilo; Katie Krochina, Kealakehe; Jolie Okabe, Waiakea.

Second team -- Goalkeeper: Stephanie Rice, Konawaena. Forwards: Erica Chong, Hilo; Rachel Clevenger, Hilo; Andrea Wong, Waiakea. Midfielders: Tia Anthony, Hilo; Jessica Hara, Hilo; Shanelle Inman, Kealakehe; Jenna Fear, Kealakehe. Defenders: Chelsea King, Hilo; Kiki Meeks, Waiakea; Rebecca Hedrix, St. Joseph; Venna Shurte, Kealakehe.

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