[ HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ]
Punahou’s Lim after
third straight state
tennis titleState tournaments are also being
held this week for girls golf, girls
water polo and track and field
Robbie Lim has learned how to balance his athletic and academic lives. He is No. 1 in his sport and an honors student at Punahou on his way to Dartmouth.
This week Lim wants to maintain intensity and still have a good time while going for his third straight individual state tennis championship. Lim is the top-seeded boy in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association/Carlsmith Ball State Tennis Championships, one of four HHSAA events this week.
The tournament is Thursday through Saturday at the Mauna Lani Racquet Club and Tennis Garden on the Big Island's Kohala Coast.
"I'm trying to find a balance," Lim said. "I feel a little bit of pressure, but I want to have fun playing tennis, too. I know I have to keep my competitive edge if I'm going to win again."
Punahou is the defending team champion for boys and girls. The Buffanblu boys have won the last 13 titles and 20 of the past 21.
"This year looks really good for us as a team. Our entire team made states, so we have a really good chance again," Lim said.
Lim placed fourth individually as a freshman. He won the state championship the past two years despite suffering from cramps both times.
"It's usually very hot, scorching last year. You play two matches for three days, so it can be tough to stay hydrated," Lim said. "For me, I tend to get nervous. I think that gets me tight and I cramp up. In practice, it doesn't happen."
Farrington's Mark Ilagan, Kauai's Jordan Kukino and Punahou's Jonathan Farm are the Nos. 2-4 seeds.
Kalei Gora of Saint Francis goes in as the top-seeded girl, followed by defending champion Heidi Kaloi (Kamehameha), Chloe Bihag (Waipahu) and Jenna Mezin (Seabury).
The Punahou pairs of Michael Azuma and Ryan Laws and Erin Katayama and Julia Sandborn are the top-seeded doubles teams.
» Water polo has its inaugural state tournament this week, as eight girls teams vie for the title. Oregon and Illinois are the only two other states with water polo championships.
Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Punahou is the top-seeded team. The Buffanblu have at least two players headed on to college water polo next year: Kamaile Crowell (UCLA) and Avery Cavanah (Harvard).
The HHSAA/Local Motion Girls State Water Polo tournament is Thursday through Saturday at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex at the University of Hawaii.
» Kira-Ann Murashige transferred from Hilo to Waiakea, and so did the balance of power in girls golf. She joins Big Island champion Amanda Wilson as the Warriors try to capture their third HHSAA/David S. Ishii Foundation Girls State Golf Championships, tomorrow and Thursday at Wailua Golf Course on Kauai.
Murashige won the 2002 Jennie K. Invitational and played in the 2003 national public links championships. Last year she led the Vulcans to their second state team championship while winning the individual title.
Punahou, with four players averaging in the 70s (more than any other school), has a chance to be the first Oahu school to win the tournament since its inception in 1999.
Kauai, with three golfers in the 70s and playing on its home course, also has a shot.
» Kamehameha's boys and Punahou's girls are early favorites to win the HHSAA/Island Movers Track and Field Championships on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium on Maui. Trials are Thursday.
But the Warriors could be vulnerable if injured jumper Waika Spencer can't compete, and it must be remembered the Buffanblu girls won last year's ILH title only to lose to league-rival Iolani for the state championship.
One of the glory individual events, the boys 100 meters, will be especially intriguing. Joseph Locey of Kapaa appears to be the favorite, running 10.78 for a new Kauai Interscholastic Federation record in the KIF championships last Friday on a slow track.
ILH champion Nick Frazier (Kamehameha), Oahu Interscholastic Association winner Nathaniel Nasca (Pearl City) and J.J. Pacheco (St. Anthony) are among those who will try to beat Locey.
Baldwin's Jensen Somera beat Pacheco in the Maui Interscholastic League championships, but Somera hurt a hamstring in the 200 meters and might not compete in the state meet.
HHSAA Girls Golf
At Wailua Golf Course, Kauaiwednesday
First round, 1st tee from 7 to 9 a.m.thursday
Second round, 1st tee from 7 to 9 a.m.
HHSAA Tennis
At Mauna Lani Racquet Club and Tennis Garden, Big Island
Boys singles seeds: 1. Robbie Lim (Pun). 2. Mark Ilagan (Farr). 3. Jordan Kukino (Kau). 4. Jonathan Farm (Pun). 5. Nainoa DePontes (Keal). 6. Andy Narido (Hilo). 7. Holden Ching (HPA). 8. Daniel Llarenas (WOL). 9. Jonathan Lo (Iol). 10. Bryce Silva (KSO). 11. Keven Wong (LeJ).
Girls singles seeds: 1. Kalei Gora (StF). 2. Heidi Kaloi (KSO). 3. Chloe Bihag (Waip). 4. Jenna Mezin (Sea). 5. Jenna Kappel (Iol). 6. Christie Pagatpatan (Waip). 7. Julienne Yamamoto (Moa). 8. Amy Blackwell (Iol). 9. Janelle Arita (Pun). 10. Sheena David (Pun). 11. Crystal Shimabukuro (Pun).
Boys doubles seeds: 1. Michael Azuma/Ryan Laws (Pun). 2. Chris Iwamura/Nicholas Leong (Pun). 3. Marcus Kutara/Reyn Makishi (StL). 4. Alex Lefief/Kyle Barrett (Kula). 5. Ryan Murakami/Andrew Murakami (Lei). 6. Torin Ching/Jon Okada (Iol). 7. Will Grosswendt/Jon Wong (Pun). 8. Evan Hirata/Shimpei Kobori (Roos). 9. Austin Nakatsuka/Sean Tomas (KSO). 10. Brandon Narasaki/Tyler Tobita (Bald). 11. Michael Amorio/Clint Nabua (Farr).
Girls doubles seeds: 1. Erin Katayama/Julia Sandborn (Pun). 2. Brooke Doane/Lauren Shin (KSO). 3. Jessica Broadfoot/Adriann Gin (Pun). 4. Christina Klein/Sarah Jo Peters (Lah). 5. Lelia Kanuha/Simone Wax (Keal). 6. Keri Sugiyama/Sara Yoshinaga (Iol). 7. Marie Tanaka/Joelle Tanaka (Kail). 8. Stacy Shimata/Jennifer Young (Iol). 9. Cassie Yoneshige/Tiffany Villanueva (Lei). 10. Lindsey Blattner/Jennifer Dunn (Sea). 11. Kaleana Wakamatsu/Anne Yoshizawa (Bald).Thursday
First- and second-round matches starting at 8 a.m.Friday
Third-round and quarterfinal matches starting at 8 a.m.Saturday
Semifinals, 8 a.m.; Finals, 10 a.m.
HHSAA Track and Field
At War Memorial Stadium, MauiThursday
Trials: Field events, noon; running events, 3:15 p.m.Saturday
Finals: Field events, 3:30 p.m.; running events, 5:40 p.m.
HHSAA Girls Water Polo
At Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex
Seeds: 1. Punahou. 2. Kahuku. 3. Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion*. 4. Kamehamehathursday
Game 1: Punahou vs. Kalani, 3:15 p.m.
2: BIIF #1* vs. Roosevelt, 4:30 p.m.
3: Kahuku vs. BIIF #2*, 5:45 p.m.
4: Kamehameha vs. Kaiser, 7 p.m.friday
5: Losers 1 & 2, 3:15 p.m.
6: Losers 3 & 4, 4:30 p.m.
7: Winners 1 & 2, 5:45 p.m.
8: Winners, 3 & 4, 7 p.m.saturday
9: Losers 5 & 6 (Seventh place), 3:15 p.m.
10: Winners 5 & 6 (Fifth place), 4:30 p.m.
11: Losers 7 & 8 (Third place), 5:45 p.m.
12: Winners 7 & 8 (Championship), 7 p.m.* Hawaii Prep faces Waiakea today to decide BIIF champion. Both teams have qualified for state tournament.