Organizers of the Punahou Relays expect a much bigger turnout for the 57th annual meet than a year ago. The major difference this year is the public schools aren't on strike. Bigger turnout expected
for Punahou RelaysBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThe meet at Punahou's Alexander Field heralds the coming of the state's championship meets and gives private and public school athletes a final opportunity to scout each other up close before the state championships in May.
Last year's meet was largely reserved for Interscholastic League of Honolulu teams as the Oahu Interscholastic Association squads were just getting back together after a three-week teachers strike.
"It's always nice to have the OIA teams, and it's fun to be able to compete against some other teams," Punahou boys coach Louis Johnson said.
Trials for the running events are set for tomorrow. Saturday's finals open with the invitation-only field events at 11:30 a.m. The running events start at 1:15 p.m.
The meet again features the Football Power Relay and the Hawaii's Fastest Human race.
The 400-meter power relay is open to six-man teams with each runner weighing at least 200 pounds. The trials are scheduled for 1:40 p.m. The final is set for 2:20.
"Kahuku called to ask how many teams they can enter," Johnson said.
"So I think they're taking it pretty seriously."
The 100-meter Hawaii's Fastest Human race is set for 4 p.m. Kelsey Nakanelua won his fifth title at last year's meet.
Raiders net another title: One of the state's quieter dynasties added another jewel to its crown as Iolani won its fifth consecutive ILH girls tennis championship earlier this month.
The Raiders defeated Punahou 3-2 in the finals on April 13. Mariana Lee's singles win and doubles victories by Kellie Crail and Jenna Kappel and Jenna and Allison Ishii gave Iolani the title.
Iolani finished the ILH season with a 13-1 record and had its 59-match winning streak snapped by Kamehameha earlier in the season.
Iolani will pursue its fifth straight state team championship at the Carlsmith Ball State Championships from May 9-11 on Maui.
Burton takes over Sacred Hearts volleyball: Thomas Burton has been named the varsity volleyball coach at Sacred Hearts.
Burton coached in the school's lower levels last year and replaces Sweetie Nelson, who stepped down for personal reasons.
Final four memories: Iolani junior Bobby Nash got a taste of big-time college basketball when he accompanied his father, Hawaii assistant coach Bob Nash, to Atlanta for the Final Four.
Among the people he bumped into was Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.
"It was fun to talk to Coach K and learn more about Duke," Nash said. "I saw (Kansas forward) Drew Gooden in the store and we were talking a little."
While Nash enjoyed the trip as a fan, it was also a chance for him to leave a favorable first impression with some of the coaches in attendance.
"They're always watching you and what you do," he said. "It's really tough, because everyone's looking at you and seeing how you act in public and how you carry yourself."
In other Iolani news, 6-foot-4 senior Jon Grobe will join the top-ranked Pepperdine men's volleyball team as an invited walk-on next year.
Grobe helped the Raiders reach the state championship match last fall and was a second-team all-state pick. He was also a starting forward on the basketball team.
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Athletes of the Week
BOYS
>> Shannon Kahale, Kamehameha baseball: Helped the Warriors clinch a state tournament berth with a complete-game win over Punahou. He also went 5-for-8 and drove in two runs in Kamehameha's victories over Punahou and St. Louis.
GIRLS
>> Megan Ching, Kamehameha basketball: Averaged 13 points per game in wins over Maryknoll and Sacred Hearts. She also totaled 11 assists, nine steals, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.
Honor Roll
BASKETBALL
>> Mounia Nihipali, Kamehameha: Snagged 22 rebounds in the Warriors' wins and posted 18 points, eight steals and four blocked shots.>> Rayna Isaki, McKinley: Drained four 3-pointers and had the assist on the game-winning bucket in the Tigers' 42-41 win over Kahuku.
>> Dalia Solia, Kaimuki: Hit four 3-pointers and finished with 21 points in the Bulldogs' loss to Kaiser.
>> Heather Massey, Radford: Averaged 17.8 points in the Rams' last four games, with 18 coming in a 39-30 win over Nanakuli.
>> Darci Watanabe, Mililani: Scored 19 points, including three 3-pointers, in the Trojans' 48-31 win over Waialua.
>> Christina Sierra, Moanalua: Hit four 3-pointers en route to a 20-point performance in a 53-45 win over Kalaheo.
>> Latoya Wily, Kalaheo: Scored 34 points in the Mustangs' two games last week.
BASEBALL
>> Jonathan Keao, Waialua: The junior tossed a three-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Radford to help the Bulldogs move into playoff contention in the OIA West.>> Lee Matsuura, Waialua: Went 4-for-5 with four RBIs in a 12-8 win over Waipahu.
>> Keone Peiler, Waialua: Hit a double, a home run and drove in four runs against Waipahu.
>> Ikaika Neizman, Lahainaluna: Struck out nine batters and walked none in an 11-1 win over Seabury Hall.
>> Jordan Tom, Castle: Hit a pair of two-run homers in a 9-7 win over Roosevelt. He also earned the save.
>> Ryan Lum, Castle: Picked up a complete-game win in a 7-1 victory over Moanalua and went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in.
>> Chad Itokazu, Pearl City: Struck out seven in a complete-game two-hitter as the Chargers shut out Waipahu 2-0.
>> Greg Aquino, Maryknoll: Went 3-for-4 with two triples in a 9-4 win over Damien.
JUDO
>> The Mililani boys team: Defeated Pearl City 47-40 to capture the OIA championship.>> The Kahuku girls team: Scored a 75-15 victory over Pearl City in the OIA championship match.
GOLF
>> Pomaikai Shishido, Iolani: Shot a 5-under-par 67 at New Ewa Beach Golf Club to finish first at last week's ILH boys tournament.>> Neal Manutai, Moanalua: Shot a 3-over-par 75 to lead the Menehunes to the OIA boys team championship at Waialae Country Club. Moanalua edged Aiea by one stroke, 319-320.
>> Megan Sakamoto, Aiea: Helped Na Alii win the OIA girls championship with a 6-over-par 78.
>> Kevin Tomisato, Iolani: Carded a 78 at Leilehua Golf Course to win the ILH junior varsity boys championship.
TRACK AND FIELD
>> Lorin Millota, Waialua: Won the girls 110- and 300-meter hurdles at the OIA junior varsity championships.>> Jason Rivers, St. Louis: Won the boys 100- and 200-meter dash at the ILH JV championships.
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