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POSTED: Wednesday, December 31, 2008

It is not hard at all to find the motivation within Kaiser High wrestling star Jason Spiker.

One of the top grapplers in the state for the past three years, Spiker has endured disappointment and heartbreak before. Each time, he has bounced back with vigor, displaying the heart of a champion.

As a sophomore, Spiker advanced all the way to the state championship match at 103 pounds, falling to Saint Louis' Jordan Lai in the final.

Spiker returned to the mat last season with increased motivation and went undefeated throughout the course of the regular season and the OIA tournament, capturing his second straight league championship at 103 pounds. In doing so, Spiker also led Kaiser to a second consecutive OIA team championship.

“;Jason is a very smart guy, and that certainly helps him on the mat,”; said veteran Kaiser head coach Mike Kim. “;He's a 4.0 student and he is extremely strong for his weight class. Jason would be considered really strong even in the 114 weight class. At 103 and now 108, he's simply stronger than everybody else.”;

But in his state preliminary match a year ago, the top-seeded Spiker dropped a controversial 1-0 decision to Punahou's Jordan Ng. With a 1-0 lead in the final minute, Ng wrapped himself around Spiker's legs and held on for what seemed to be more than half a minute. By rule, Ng could have been whistled for stalling, which would have given Spiker some time to possibly mount a comeback. Instead, Ng advanced and Spiker was relegated to the consolation bracket.

“;After that loss, I still wanted to keep focused and I still wanted to do my best,”; Spiker said. “;I knew I had to keep competing to get some points for my team.”;

Spiker quickly regained his composure and proceeded to rip off five straight wins to capture third place, including two pins, two shutouts and a 9-1 domination of Ricky Anderson of Kamehameha in his final match. Spiker also took advantage of the opportunity to avenge his only loss of the season in the consolation semifinals, defeating Ng, 8-0. Thanks to Spiker's effort, Kaiser placed fifth in the team standings.

“;That one match, that was so hard to take,”; Kim said. “;I was very pleased to see how he was able to bounce back on the back side (of the bracket). A lot of guys would just fold mentally. It's really hard to do what Jason did. He put the team above his own misfortune and it really showed everyone what kind of kid he is.”;

Spiker's vigilant return from last year's disappointing defeat to Ng was clearly evident in last week's Hawaii Wrestling Officials Association Scholarship Tournament, as Spiker went 5-0, winning each match by pin en route to the 108-pound championship.

Growing up in the shadow of one of the best prep wrestlers in state history, Spiker didn't need to look very far for a role model. Big brother Jonathan Spiker was a four-time state champion in high school, capturing crowns at 135, 145 and 152 pounds for Saint Louis from 2000 to '03. For good measure, he also finished at the top of his senior class, and continued his wrestling career and education at Harvard University.

“;Seeing my brother do well all those years really motivated me to work hard and do well when it was my turn,”; Jason said. “;I just wanna do well and be just like him.”;

After his freshman year on the Crimson wrestling squad, Jonathan Spiker decided to drop wrestling to focus on his studies. Soon after, he received a bombshell when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.

“;Watching my brother deal with cancer really taught me to appreciate life a lot more,”; Jason said. “;I learned that there are a lot of people in the world who have it a lot worse than me, and I have to appreciate what I have. My brother was going through a lot of pain, but he never quit.”;

Jonathan Spiker did not blink in the face of his greatest challenge, enduring surgery and recovery and quickly returning to Harvard. He then suffered a herniated disc in his back and endured the excruciating pain associated with the condition. Still, he eventually graduated from Harvard with a degree in psychology in just three years. Last week, he graduated from the University of Hawaii's MBA program, with a degree in business finance.

“;I know it was really hard for Jason to see me go through that,”; Jonathan Spiker said. “;We are very close to each other, even though we're five years apart. When I went to Harvard, we'd always call and write each other a lot. Now that I'm back home, we'll work out together at home, in the gym. I really enjoy being able to give him any advice I can offer from my experience.”;

The Spiker boys share a lot in common. Both are accomplished wrestlers. Both are fine scholars, with Jason currently holding a 3.8 grade-point average at Kaiser and aspiring to a career in the medical field. Both have found a way to emerge from each challenge as a better version of themselves.

“;When I went through my ordeal, the dean and professors at school wanted me to take some time off but I was determined,”; Jonathan said. “;I didn't want to let anything stop me. Jason's the same way. We share the same work ethic and determination.”;

If Kaiser is to make a run at a third league title and its first team state crown since 1982, the time is certainly now. With a senior-heavy roster and Spiker leading the way, the Cougars are primed to take the next step in their recent success.

“;I know he has what it takes to become a state champ,”; Jonathan Spiker said of his brother. “;He has all the physical tools. The Kaiser coaches do a great job, as well as my Dad and myself.

“;If he stays focused and stays healthy and on track, an undefeated season and a state championship are well within reach. It's his time.”;

Athlete of the week

Desmond Tautofi Kaimuki basketball

 

The 6-foot-3, 270-pound junior had 18 points against Baldwin, and 20 points to go with 20 rebounds against No. 3 'Iolani

 

Honor roll

BOYS BASKETBALL

» Kaleo Cummings, Kauai: 28 points against 'Iolani II

» Noah Chong-Viernes, University: 17 points against Aiea

» Josiah DeMello, Pearl City: 15 points against Island Pacific

» Devone Florence, Kauai: 20 points against Irvine (Calif.)

» Brad Foster, Word of Life: 17 points against McKinley

» Zack Hannemann, Aiea: 15 points against University

» Wai Kalama, McKinley: 16 points against Word of Life

» Micah Kalepa, Maryknoll: 21 points against Word of Life

» Christian Mendoza, Waianae: 19 points against Western (Calif.)

» Marcus Monroe, Moanalua: 18 points against Menlo-Atherton (Calif.)

» Michael Palmer, Seabury Hall: 18 points against King Kekaulike

» Mitchell Resurrection, Pearl City: 17 points against Island Pacific

» Lincoln Seto, Baldwin: 18 points against Moanalua; 15 against McKinley

» Mitchel Shintani, Waiakea: 15 points against Saint Louis II

» David Taulung, Kaimuki: 16 points against 'Iolani II; 18 against Baldwin; 18 against 'Iolani

» Michael Tuiloma, Saint Louis: 20 points against Hamamatsu (Japan)

» Patrick Ward, Campbell: 32 points against Damien

» Pablo Warner, 'Iolani: 19 points against Kaimuki

» Tana Woodard, McKinley: 15 points against Menlo-Atherton (Calif.)

  GIRLS BASKETBALL

» Bui Baravilala, Radford: 16 points against Kalani

» Jamie Higa, Kalani: 18 points against Radford

» Noelani Kawashima, St. Andrew's Priory: 16 points against Punahou II

» Ashlyn Onaga, Kalani: 22 points against Radford

» Kim Palea, KS-Hawaii: 18 points against Mulgrave (British Columbia)

  BOYS SOCCER

» Carl Gibson, 'Iolani: two goals against Damien

» Hiroki Tokuyama, 'Iolani: two goals against Damien

  GIRLS SOCCER

» Jenny Chan, Mid-Pacific: two goals against St. Francis

» Kalynn Ichinose, Waianae: two goals against McKinley

» Tamra Nee, Kaiser: two goals against Roosevelt

» Meleana Shim, Kamehameha: two goals against Sacred Hearts

» Elle Watson, Mid-Pacific: two goals against St. Francis

 

To nominate:

Call: 529-4782. Fax: 529-4787. E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

 

Basketball top 10

The Top 10 high school boys and basketball teams in Hawaii as voted on in the preseason by coaches and media from around the state.

  Boys

Team

  1. Kamehameha
  2. Punahou
  3. 'Iolani
  4. Kalaheo
  5. Kahuku
  6. Kaimuki
  7. Mid-Pacific
  8. Waiakea
  9. Moanalua
10. Saint Louis

  Girls

Team

  1. Punahou
  2. Farrington
  3. Lahainaluna
  4. Konawaena
  5. Kamehameha
  6. Mid-Pacific
  7. Kahuku
  8. 'Iolani
  9. Waiakea
10. Honokaa