---

Wrestling champion
Tanielu will grapple
with culinary arts

Take a down-home Molokai boy, bring him to the state wrestling championships and the predictable happens.

He wins the 275-pound weight class and aims to enlist in the U.S. Army and eventually start a career in the culinary arts.

This is the future of Matthew Tanielu, if he has his way. Tanielu placed second in last year's 215-pound class at states, returned for this season at 260 -- he's a growing boy -- and had the self-control to get back into shape.

By the time the Maui Interscholastic League season arrived, he had melted his way down to 240 by cutting out poi, ulu and rice.

"I used to eat two pots of rice myself," he said of a normal dinner. "But now I only eat half a pot. That was hard. My mom said, 'You're gonna kill yourself.' "

Tanielu found himself behind in the state finals against Kahuku's Max Fairclough. At 209 pounds, Fairclough was exceptionally quick. Tanielu, still quick despite the weight gain, was extremely deft. He gained the lead with a leg shoot, and went on to win 3-1.

"Actually, I wish I'd won last year, but (Konawaena's Dylan) Rush is a good wrestler," Tanielu said.

"Visualization helped," he added, referring to one of coach Jon Small's techniques. "That, plus sprints and conditioning. Hard work really does pay off."

With a state title in hand, Tanielu's next move could've been college wrestling. Instead, he's done with the sport. His older sister, Leimomi, is an air traffic controller in the Army. Becoming a cook and chef, he jokes, is better than battling on the field.

"I like Iron Chef and Emeril (Lagasse)," said Tanielu, whose cousin, Justin Luafalemana, won the 215-pound title three years ago.

During Christmas break, Luafalemana was back on Molokai visiting his wrestling family. The two challenged on the mat, but it is Luafalemana who has the edge in size. He now weighs 290 pounds and is a defensive end at Washington State.

"That was his dream," Tanielu said.

Luafalemana won their duel, but Tanielu doesn't mind. After all, his dream requires stainless steel ovens in sparkling kitchens. The old mats and steamy training rooms are now a thing of the past.

Hoist, Joseph honored: Former Konawaena basketball standout Nancy Hoist was honored recently as Big Island Athlete of the Year.

The award, presented by Don's Grill, went to Hoist for leading the Wildcats to the girls basketball state championship last year. She currently plays for Eastern Kentucky, which won its conference title. She is planning to major in sports journalism.

Wayne Joseph, a veteran BIIF cross country and track coach, was selected as the Sportsperson of the Year for his community service and work with the Big Island Road Runners Club as well as coordinating or organizing various races on the island.

Rams seek new coaches: Radford High School is accepting résumés for head coaching positions in softball and in swimming and diving. Résumés can be sent to Radford High School, Athletic Director, 4631 Salt Lake Blvd., Honolulu, HI, 96818.

For more information, call 421-4200, ext. 332.

Tourneys galore: Five basketball tournaments, two on Oahu and two on the Big Island, will give fans plenty to choose from on their menu. The First Hawaiian Bank Lady Menehune Peek Tournament tips off today at 5:30 p.m. at Moanalua.

Tomorrow, a formidable field opens play at Kalaheo's Lady Mustang Tournament. That group includes Honokaa, ranked No. 7 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10 after a 6-0 start. Other ranked teams in the tourney include No. 3 Kahuku, No. 6 Kalaheo, No. 9 Iolani and top-ranked Punahou.

Radford, Roosevelt and Pearl City round out the Lady Mustang field.

The Neighbor Island vs. Oahu format still reigns at the Lady Tiger Invitational. Visiting schools Waimea, Lahainaluna and Baldwin are part of the eight-team field. Kamehameha, ranked No. 4, and fifth-ranked Maryknoll lead the Oahu roundballers. Host McKinley, Kaiser and Kamehameha II round out the field.

On the Big Island, the Konawaena Invitational tips off tomorrow with six teams: Maui, Kealakehe, Kohala, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Kealakehe and host Konawaena.

Across the island in Hilo, the Waiakea Invitational will also begin. Waipahu, King Kekaulike, Seabury Hall and Kailua join the local field of Keaau, Hawaii Prep, Pahoa and host Waiakea.

---

BACK TO TOP
|

Athletes of the week

BOYS

Jonathan Duquette, Roosevelt wrestling: Unseeded, he upset favorite Jared Silva of Saint Louis before tipping Lahainaluna's Patrick Kaina 5-4 to win the 189-pound state crown.

GIRLS

Summer Alo, Kahuku wrestling: The unseeded Red Raider upset Aiea defending champ Krystal Kiyuna to win the 140-pound state title.

Honor roll

BASEBALL

Nick Aquino, Mililani: Scattered six hits as the Trojans outdueled Kamehameha 2-1.

Kip Masuda, Mid-Pacific: Had a pair of RBI doubles in a 7-5 win over Marin Catholic (Calif.).

Kelii Zablan, Saint Louis: Hit a three-run homer and earned the save in a 10-8 win over Riverdale Baptist (Calif.).

BASKETBALL

Shanna-Lei Dacanay, Punahou: Scored 11 points with 10 assists against Konawaena.

Arielle Daniels, Punahou II: Scored 21 points against Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Leilani Galdones, Kamehameha-Hawaii: Scored 21 points in a 61-59 upset win at Punahou.

Jessica Hanato, Konawaena: Scored 23 points with 17 rebounds and 12 steals against Mid-Pacific. Also scored 24 points against Punahou II.

Shawna Kuehu, Punahou: Scored 23 points with seven rebounds against Kalaheo and scored 23 points against Konawaena.

Meghan Laughlin, Mid-Pacific: Scored 26 points against Moanalua.

Jamie Mattos, Kamehameha-Hawaii: Scored 19 points in the win over Punahou and 21 points against Punahou II.

Chelsie Sato, McKinley: Scored 21 points against Saint Andrew's Priory.

Hennasea-Sue Tokumura, Iolani: Scored 19 points against McKinley.

PADDLING

Kamehameha boys: The crew of Shawn Butler, Jonathan Pestana, Nainoa Quinn, Kaimana Smith, Drew Ueno, Kenui Viveiros, Jordan Wong and Kaihe Chong raced the half-mile course in 3 minutes, 52.8 seconds at Keehi Lagoon to capture a fourth straight state title.

Kamehameha girls: The crew of Makana Bruhn, Mehana Ho'opi'i, Kilty Inafuku, Pua Reis-Monis, Alyssa Pacarro, Kelsey Saifoloi and Cady Uyeoka captured the state title in 4:32.96.

Castle mixed: The crew of Alika Abordo, Kaimi Dudoit, Jared Duran, Kapili Kalahiki-Anthony, Cory Siqueira, Jayna Kapono, Kawena Kawainui, Tiare Kekauoha, Melissa Matsuda and Kevin Snodgrass won a state championship in 4:15.72.

WRESTLING

Delilah Joung, Waipahu: Repeated as the 155-pound state champion with a 7-6 win over Alicia Fu of Moanalua.

Brandon Low, Saint Louis: Won the 125-pound class, his second state title.

Randolyn Nohara, Kamehameha: Won her second straight state title at 220.

Joleen Oshiro, Iolani: Repeated as a state champion, winning the 108-pound class.

Johanson Quist, Hilo: Captured his second state crown with a victory in the 140-pound final over Mike Lauer of Baldwin.

Dylan Rush, Konawaena: Won his second straight title at 215.

Carla Watase, Iolani: Edged Danica Auna of Kahuku 4-2 in overtime for the 103-pound crown, her second state title.

To nominate ... To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday: Phone: 529-4782 Fax: 529-4787 E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com