DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Baldwin's Shyla Iokia tried to pin Punahou's Lauren Primiano in the 120-pound final.

Iolani girls, Kamehameha
boys win wrestling titles

Raiders come from behind to top
Baldwin for the state girls crown

The phrase "every match counts" might seem like nothing more than a clichˇ, but for the Iolani Raiders, their belief in it is why they are now called state champions.

A year's worth of dedication and hard work all came down to the final weight class of the HHSAA/Chevron 2005 State Girls Wrestling Championships as unseeded Akemi Holmes, needing a victory by pinfall, defeated Farrington's Ashlee Lilo in such fashion to give Iolani a come-from-behind one-point victory over Baldwin to win the school's first-ever girls state wrestling title yesterday at Blaisdell Arena.

"It has come full circle for these girls," Iolani coach Matt Ha said. "In 2003 I think the girls got tired of people laughing at them. We only had four wrestlers and while they would all win, we would get crushed in the dual meets."

Holmes, who had been pinned by Lilo earlier in the season, had no idea that the team championship was going to come down to her match.

"I think I was glad I didn't know," she said. "In the ILH (championships), I knew it might come down to me and I got a little pressured, but this time I just went out there focused, concentrated and gave it my all."

A fast start by the Raiders yesterday set the table for Holmes' final match as Iolani claimed the first three weight divisions.

In the opening and arguably most exciting final, top-seeded senior Kira Tamashiro forced overtime against third-seeded Joyce Transfiguracion by scoring a takedown with just 5 seconds left to tie the score in regulation, and then turned the clinching takedown into a pin with 4 seconds left in the extra period to claim the 98-pound state title, her first.

"I really don't know what happened at the end; it's all a blur," Tamashiro said of the overtime period. "I just was thinking about the team and how hard we all worked. Our one-team spirit is really strong."

"She could have just gotten up after the takedown and won," Ha added. "But she kept with it and pinned her and that was so huge because we needed it in the end."

Continuing Tamashiro's trend, top-seeded Carla Watase also needed overtime to win the 103-pound title, defeating Kahuku's second-seeded Danica Auna 4-2 with a takedown 17 seconds into the extra period. Only a sophomore, Watase kept her dreams alive to become a four-time state champion. She was the 98-pound champion last year.

"That's my goal since I started," Watase said. "This was definitely the hardest match of the year. When the referee said 'OK girls this is sudden death' I was really nervous."

Completing the trifecta for Iolani was Joleen Oshiro, the top seed at 108 pounds. After two overtime matches, last year's 103-pound state champion made the final in her new weight class seem easy, defeating Farrington's third-seeded Tani Ader 10-4 to complete an undefeated senior season.

"This one is actually better than last year's one," Oshiro said. "Everyone wanted to take me down and I was the target this year, so I had to work a lot harder. I felt like I had all this pressure because people expected me to dominate."

The only other returning state champions to successfully defend their titles were Kamehameha's Randolyn Nohara, who needed just 61 seconds to pin Waianae's Chasity Molina, and Waipahu's Delilah Joung, who narrowly defeated Moanalua's Alicia Fu 7-6 in the 155-pound championship.

In an all-freshman 125-pound final, unseeded Chaelynn Tan's dramatic run to the finals ended on a sour note as she was pinned by Moanalua's Danica Kamakana with 38 seconds left in the first round. Tan had knocked off top-seeded Nicole Chorney on Friday.

Other surprise unseeded winners included 114-pound champion Cory Arisumi from Roosevelt, 175-pound champion Tilana Kawaa of Kamehameha, and Kahuku's Summer Alo, who tied the 140-pound final late in regulation, and then scored a takedown with 18 seconds left in overtime to beat defending state champion Krystal Kiyuna.

Baldwin's Shyla Iokia and Punahou's Kara Takasaki successfully lived up to their No. 1 seeds, winning the 120- and 130-pound titles.

Chevron/HHSAA 2005 Girls Wrestling Championships

Yesterday's final results
At Blaisdell Arena

Team
1. Iolani, 130.5; 2. Baldwin, 129.5; 3. Kahuku, 116; 4. Moanalua, 92; 5. Pearl City, 91; 6. Farrington, 86; 7. Kamehameha, 82; 8. Kealakehe, 77; 9. Punahou, 67.5; 10. Waipahu, 62; 11. Aiea, Kaiser, Kapolei, 37; 14. Waianae, 35; 15. Lanai, Roosevelt, 29; 17. Lahainaluna, 21; 18. University, Word of Life, 20; 20. Castle, 19; 21. Kaimuki, 18; 22. McKinley, 16; 23. Kailua, 15; 24. Maui, 14; 25. Kohala, Mid-Pacific, 11; 27. St. Anthony's, 10; 28. Leilehua, 8; 29. Maryknoll, 7; 30. Kamehameha-Hawaii, 6; 31. Molokai, 5; 32. Hawaii Prep, Konawaena, Kamehameha-Maui, 4; 35. King Kekaulike, 3.

Individual
98 pounds--1. Kira Tamashiro, Iol; 2. Joyce Transfiguracion, Keal; 3. Candace Sakamoto, Cast; 4. Agriana Aguino, Kah; 5. Kristanlyn Daquip, Bald; 6. Erin Uwaine, MPI.
103--1. Carla Watase, Iol; 2. Danica Auna, Kah; 3. Samantha Batoon, Farr; 4. Keri Kaneshiro, Kaim; 5. Tonya Kageno, PC; 6. Ashley Hayase, Lah.
108--1. Joleen Oshiro, Iol; 2. Tani Ader, Farr; 3. Shaelene Kamakaala, Kam; 4. Vanessa Chavez, Bald; 5. Lisa Katsura, Moan; 6. Vickey Milanio, Lah.
114--1. Cory Arisumi, Roos; 2. Danica Lute, Lan; 3. Catherine Chan, Iol; 4. Sarah Aoki, WOL; 5. Clarissa Reidy, Kap; 6. Lianne Tomishima, McK.
120--1. Shyla Iokia, Bald; 2. Lauren Primiano, Pun; 3. Ashley Poling, Kais; 4. Ashlee Estioko, Kah; 5. Cherae Pascua, PC; 6. Brandee Toyama, Iol.
125--1. Danica Kamakana, Moan; 2. Chaelyn Tan, Kap; 3. Nicole Chorney, Pun; 4. Natasha Chang, Bald; 5. Kalimari Billings, PC; 6. Shante Hookano, Kais.
130--1. Kara Takasaki, Pun; 2. Pukea Kalalau, Bald; 3. Merisa Wong, Keal; 4. Jackie Baniaga, Waip; 5. Kuuipo Bedayos, Wain; 6. Punahale Luafalemana.
140--1. Summer Alo, Kah; 2. Krystal Kiyuna, Aiea; 3. Nicole Young, PC; 4. Kuulei Barton, Keal; 5. BN Alafonso, Farr; 6. Candice Coratibo, Bald.
155--1. Delijah Joung, Waip; 2. Alicia Fu, Moan; 3. Lani Visesio, Maui; 4. Amanda Soliai, Kah; 5. Penny Rodrigues, Keal; 6. Faye Toyama, Aiea.
175--1. Tilana Kawaa, Kam; 2. Desiree Memea, UHS; 3. Leolani Corpuz, Bald; 4. Stacey Ikawa, PC; 5. Kiele Lehel, Kail; 6. Christine Meredith, Kah.
220--1. Randolyn Nohara, Kam; 2. Chasity Molina, Wain; 3. Akemi Holmes, Iol; 4. Ashlee Lilo, Farr; 5. Andrea Reyes, Moan; 6. Autumn Williams, PC.

The Warriors earn their
fourth boys state crown
and first since 1999

The worthy challengers came from the island of Maui, but Kamehameha's Warriors fought them off down the stretch.

Kamehameha amassed 128.5 points to edge Lahainaluna (126) and Baldwin (123) to win the Chevron State Boys Wrestling Championships last night at Blaisdell Arena. It is Kamehameha's fourth state boys crown and the first since 1999.

It was a special night for the Warriors and coach Billy Venenciano, who originally hails from Molokai of the Maui Interscholastic League.

"The key was that last round. Our kids were in the finals and we could get extra points," he said.

Some key performances by his grapplers, like Reggie Torres Jr., gave the Warriors the valuable points they needed. Torres, wrestling in the 119 weight class, came through with a win in his third-place battle for two valuable points.

"When I asked the kids who they wanted in their corner, Reggie wanted his dad," Venenciano said.

So, he called on Reggie Torres, who also happens to be the head coach of Kahuku.

"Reggie's style is more mental, and he beat the wrestler from Iolani. That really helped," Venenciano said.

Most of the top seeds won, but there were some remarkable upsets.

Unseeded Jonathan Duquette knocked out No. 1 seed Jared Silva of Saint Louis in the semifinals and went on to edge Lahainaluna's Patrick Kaina, 5-4, to win the 189 championship.

Another big upset came from Landon Kurota of Waiakea. He won the 119 state crown with a 5-3 overtime win over Lahainaluna's Michael Viloria.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Iolani's Nick Matayoshi tried to take down Punahou's Bryson Fukushima in the 103-pound final yesterday.

At 145, Mililani's William Smithe outquicked the taller No. 1 seed, John Stricklin-Pu of Hana, 7-4, for a state championship title.

In one of the most intense matches of the night, Molokai's Matthew Tanielu and Kahuku's Max Fairclough went back and forth in a defensive battle for the 275 crown.

After an even opening period, Tanielu became the aggressor. However, the slippery Fairclough got away and scored for a 1-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Tanielu came through with a leg shoot for two points late in the second to take the lead. Early in the third, he slipped away from Fairclough's grasp to take a 3-1 lead.

Tanielu escaped four leg shoots by Fairclough in the final minute to pull out the win.

Another classic duel came from two MIL wrestlers, Ryan "Bulla" Tuzon of Baldwin and Nathan Harris of Lahainaluna.

Harris was the more aggressive wrestler from the start, but the first period ended without a score. That changed quickly. Harris scored two points shortly into the second period, and added another two-point score for a 4-1 lead with a minute left in the third.

Harris led 6-2 late in the second period, but Tuzon chipped away, escaping Harris' clutches twice to pull within 6-4 with 1:37 left. Tuzon then came through with a pair of two-point moves to take an 8-6 lead with 29 seconds remaining. Tuzon hung on in the final seconds for the win.

Harris was unseeded, but the close battle wasn't a surprise. Tuzon outpointed Harris in overtime at the MIL championships.

Perhaps the most decisive win came from two-time state champion Dylan Rush of Konawaena.

Rush led just 2-0 going into the second period, but was in complete control. The 6-foot-3 junior added three more points in the second en route and was cruising to a win when the unseeded Mullen surprised Rush midway through the fourth.

Mullen came relatively close to getting a hold on Rush, but the Wildcat escaped and was never threatened again. Rush captured his second state championship in a row at 215.

Chevron/HHSAA 2005 Boys Wrestling Championships

Yesterday's final results
At Blaisdell Arena

TEAM
1. Kamehameha, 128.5; 2. Lahainaluna, 126; 3. Baldwin, 123; 4. Punahou, 112.5; 5. Kahuku, 106; 6. Saint Louis, 87; 7. Iolani, 84; 8. Roosevelt, 72; 9. Pearl City, 64.5; 10. Waiakea, 55.5; 11. Waianae, 54.5; 12. Hilo, Konawaena, 49.5; 14. Mililani, Waipahu, 48; 16. Leilehua, 45; 17. Molokai, 31; 18. Hana, 29; 19. Pahoa, 26; 20. Kealakehe, 24; 21. Kaiser, 22; 22. Honokaa, Kalaheo, 21; 24. Moanalua, 20; 25. Farrington, Mid-Pacific, 18; 28. Nanakuli, 17; 29. Maui, 14; 30. King Kekaulike, 13; 31. Hawaii Prep, Kapolei, 11; 33. Aiea, Radford, 9; 35. McKinley, 7.5; 36. Damien, 6; 37. Castle, 5; 38. Kalani, 4; 39. Saint Anthony, 4; 41. Academy of the Pacific, Christian Academy, 2.

Individual
103 pounds--1. Nick Matayoshi, Iol; 2. Bryson Fukushima, Pun; 3. Richie Mitchell, Hon; 4. Nathan Duarosan Jr., Keal; 5. Brandon Mina, Waip; 6. Joshua Tingman, Moan.
112--1. Aaron Ishikawa, Iol; 2. Lean Gumboc, Bald; 3. Royce Mandarang, Waip; 4. Lopaka Sumudio, Lah; 5. Lee Inouye, Roos; 6. Dylan Klink, Kahu.
119--1. Landon Kurata, Waik; 2. Michael Viloria, Lah; 3. Richard Torres, Kahu; 4. Zachary Matayoshi, Iol; 5. Keani Nishigaya, StL; 6. Kauila Moore, Roos.
125--1. Brandon Low, StL; 2. Bricen Yakabe, Kais; 3. Daniel Chow, Pun; 4. Bailey Ball, Lah; 5. Jared Kawamata, Mil; 6. James Blair, Mol.
130--1. Brendan Whitt, Pun; 2. Van Michael Shiroma, Roos; 3. Reggie Torres, KS; 4. Kelsey Kokubun, Iol; 5. Torey Seminara, PC; 6. Nevin Kamaka'ala, Kahu.
135--1. Daniel Morita, Kahu; 2. Alapai Bungo, KS; 3. Steven Chong, Pun; 4. T.J. Dowell-Howko, Mil; 5. Lindsey Babayan, Lah; 6. Chad Fujiyoshi, Waiak.
140--1. Johanson Quist, Hilo; 2. Mike Lauer, Bald; 3. Jarrod Sandobal, KS; 4. Seth Ching, PC; 5. Chris Bovo, Kalh; 6. Andrew Byron, Pun.
145--1. William Smithe, Mil; 2. John Stricklin-Pu, Hana; 3. Bryson Vivas, KS; 4. Garrett Roan, Waik; 5. Josh Green, Wain; 6. Darrell Poole, Kalh.
152--1. T.J. Kuahine, Bald; 2. Clinton Manley, MC; 3. Bryson Pascua, PC; 4. Charles Smiley, StL; 5. Simon Iaone, Farr; 6. Kenrick Pai, KS.
160--1. Ryan Tuzon, Bald; 2. Nathan Harris, Lah; 3. Gaison Ontai, KS; 4. Jordan Allencastre, StL; 5. Thomas Iinuma, PC; 6. Jared Ha'o, Keal.
171--1. Gerritt Vincent, Kam; 2. Mike Egesdal, Pun; 3. Nicholas Kuhn, Lah; 4. Keoni Long, Bald; 5. Ikoa Rosa-Paris, Lei; 6. Samson Tenele, Wain.
189--1. Jonathan Duquette, Roos; 2. Patrick Kaina, Lah; 3. Yancy Medeiros, Wain; 4. Jared Silva, StL; 5. Matt Maze, HPA; 6. Jorey Baysinger, Kona.
215--1. Dylan Rush, Kona; 2. Mike Mullen, Lei; 3. Joshua Gisa, Nan; 4. Elijah Medeiros, Hilo; 5. Clellan Aalona, Kahu; 6. Nicholas Spotkaeff, Wain.
275--1. Matthew Tanielu, Mol; 2. Max Fairclough, Kahu; 3. Matt Wharton, Pah; 4. Russel Fisher, MPI; 5. Shannon Saili, Waip; 6. Phillip Trani, Kapo.