Salvador kicks Sabers
to OIA title
Annzen Salvador used a late surge to claim the Oahu Interscholastic Association girls cross country title, and led her Campbell Sabers to the team championship at Waialua High School yesterday.
Aiea won the boys crown, and Kaleikini Barrares of Mililani took home the individual title.
Salvador entered the final lap around the track of the 2-mile course a couple of seconds behind Mililani's Sara Mitman, who beat out Salvador in the OIA West championships two weeks before. But a final push by Salvador on the back half of the track pushed her ahead of Mitman. She then extended her lead to finish in 12:52.31, more than 8 seconds ahead of Mitman.
"Coach (Arturo Morales) told me before the race don't be afraid to push myself and do my best. I kept that in mind," Salvador said.
Salvador said she didn't expect to win because she was feeling rusty before the warmups. But her coach and teammates knew that she could break through to become OIA champion.
"She didn't come out of nowhere. She's been working hard for three years," Morales said. "At the end of this year, her senior year, she felt like she got no respect. ... She's been running great all three years."
Three Saber runners finished in the top 11, with all five whose times counted in the final placing completing the course in the top 42 out of 109 participants. Campbell sophomores Michelle Mendes and Crystal Woodward finished in sixth and 11th place overall, contributing to the 89 points posted by the Sabers.
"This year is like a new year for us," said Morales, who is in his second season as head coach. "We're like a family. In years past, just by how the atmosphere surrounding the program was, it wasn't like that."
Mitman finished in a time of 13:00.70, with Kaiser's Lei-Aloha Bratton coming in third (13:03.38). Mililani coach Chad Miyamoto said Mitman's season-long back injury affected her performance.
"I knew if the race came down to a kick, which it did, I knew she didn't have it," Miyamoto said. "She's a trooper."
The Trojans finished third overall with 96 points, while Kaiser took second, also with 96.
Na Alii varsity boys team was led by senior Lance Agena, who came in a distant second to Barrares, finishing 20 seconds behind the Mililani senior in a time of 16:49.75. Aiea bested Kaiser by seven points, posting 107 to Kaiser's 114. Pearl City finished third with 125 points.
"It's because of their hard work and discipline that they've reached this point," Aiea coach Bryan Terauchi said. "Today was a battle."
With the help of three underclassmen who ran in the junior varsity level at the OIA West championships, Na Alii earned their first boys OIA title in Terauchi's 18-year tenure.
"If I could keep this group with me for the next 10 years, I'd love that," Terauchi said.
Barrares led throughout the race, posting a time of 16:29.54. Moanalua's Kalen Darling came in third in 16:54.05.
"I'm really happy about (winning the OIA). That was my goal for this year," Barrares said.
