CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Charre' Williams and Natasha Minor from Radford gave chase to Mililani's Britney Stephens in the 100-meter dash.

Mililani dominates West

Once again, Mililani ended the suspense early at the Oahu Interscholastic Association West Track & Field Championships -- early enough, anyway, for most of the Trojans to make the junior prom, knowing they came away with a win.

For the second year in a row, the host Trojans swept the boys and girls varsity team titles. Despite solid performances by Campbell and Leilehua on the boys side, and Radford on the girls, Mililani managed wins in 15 events.

As a result, the Trojans steamrolled to 121.5 points on the boys side, followed by the Sabers with 54 and the Mules with 52. The girls varsity events turned into a duel between the Trojans and the Rams, but Mililani was tops with 152 points, followed by Radford with 118 and Leilehua with 54.

If some of the Mililani athletes on the field were concerned about their busy day, they certainly didn't show it. They just raced and were gone in the blink of an eye.

"On the girls side there's hair appointments, stuff like that, but whatever the problem is, we don't hold it against them," said Trojan girls varsity coach Dane Matsunaga. "But we had some girls willing to stay until everything was done. (Team captain) Britney Stephens actually declined to go to the prom, for the betterment of the team. Track was more important for her."

Since a scheduling change moved the start time for the OIA West meet to 10 a.m. instead of 3 p.m., it turned out there would be enough time for most of the Trojans to participate in their events, then rush off to get ready. The gambit paid off for Stephens, who won the 100-meter dash and was runner-up to teammate Ciara Quarles in the 200.

"Everyone's running their heart out to get to their junior prom, (but) I think it's worth it (to stay), playing for the team," Stephens said.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Mililani's Micah Kia placed fourth in the discus with a throw of 134-4 yesterday.

"Yessir, I feel that it is an advantage," said Mililani junior d'Andre Benjamin, who was victorious in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. "I feel more comfortable -- everybody feels like they don't want to lose on their home field, right?"

AJ Clark -- also a Trojan -- put on the most dominant individual display at the meet, winning the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter dashes, as well as the long jump.

"Practicing here, we know how it feels on the track," said Clark, a senior. "It gives us an advantage. Everyday, just working hard."

Kapolei senior Charnelle Ione captured the girls shot put and discus events. Her 110-foot, 3-inch discus toss was more than 13 feet farther than the next closest mark, set by Mililani senior Chasity Senas at 96-4.

Those wins came from nowhere -- even Kapolei coach Tony Gamboa said he was surprised.

"It's very impressive because in the beginning of the season she wasn't doing really well," Gamboa said. "And then, starting with this West division championship meet, she just pulled it all together. She struggled with some of her academics, and eventually she conquered that and did well. She came back on the field and did what she had to do."

Other multiple girls winners were Quarles in the 200- and 400-meter dashes, Mililani junior Jasmine Pratt in the long and triple jumps, and Radford sophomore Kharyse Thompson in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles.

Leilehua won the boys 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays, and added the 4x400 girls relay title.