Nanakuli made it a clean sweep, claiming the Oahu Interscholastic Association West boys, girls and mixed divisions in outrigger canoe paddling yesterday afternoon at Keehi Lagoon.

Kalaheo nearly did the same in the OIA East. The Mustangs claimed victory in the boys and mixed divisions. Anuenue took the girls race—edging Kalaheo by 4.91 seconds—in the final OIA regular-season regatta.

The top six crews from both the OIA West and East, as determined by a cumulative point standings system encompassing the league's four regular-season races, advance to Saturday's OIA championship regatta. The overall boys, girls and mixed titles are up for grabs.

“;We've been doing well all season,”; said Daniel Rzonca, a member of Nanakuli's undefeated boys squad. “;We stick together as a team. (We focus on) pulling yourself, and taking care of the person in front of you.”;

The Golden Hawks won the mile-long boys course in 8 minutes, 10.4 seconds. The winning crew members are: Dylan Kuewa, Brian Kaaa, Koalii Bumanglog, Rzonca, Maika Kamakeeaina and Dayne Van Gieson.

Radford (8:22.68) crossed the line second, followed by Waialua (8:32.68) and Mililani (8:35.02).

The Kalaheo boys also completed an undefeated season in the East, and notched a regatta-best time of 8 minutes, 2.3 seconds yesterday. The winning crew included: Alexander Guillaume, Kaoru Lovett, Barak Argov, Torin Luis, Nicholas Seegar and Wade Applebaum.

“;We had an amazing regular season, thanks to some good, hard practices”; said Luis, whose Mustangs squad finished ahead of Kaiser (8:07.49), McKinley (8:10.68) and Kahuku (8:18.87). “;I've learned so much this year. We still have to keep working on some things for next week: our blending, power and (extending the) reach.”;

After finishing its first race of the year in third place, the Nanakuli girls crew went on to win its next three races, including yesterday's competition in 9 minutes, 42.02 seconds. Leilehua was the next closest competitor (9:54.11), followed by Kapolei (9:55.02) and Pearl City (9:59.74).

“;I wouldn't say we dominated,”; said Nanakuli coach Ryan Van Gieson, “;but we got better as the season moved on. That's a credit to their work ethic, and it makes my job easier when I get to work with these talented individuals.”;

Anuenue also came back from a third-place finish in the season's first race to win its next three races, culminating with yesterday's victorious finish in 9 minutes, 21.02 seconds. Kalaheo (9:25.93) came in second, followed by Kaimuki (9:50.37) and McKinley (10:18.05).

“;We've been trying, the effort's been there, and we've been blessed the past few races,”; said Na Koa coach Reggie Keaunui. “;We got off to a rough start, but we're back on track.”;

Nanakuli's mixed crew, composed of three male and three female paddlers, took the West race in 8 minutes, 38.46 seconds. Kalaheo followed suit in the East race, winning in 8 minutes, 53.34 seconds.

Prior to the season, Anuenue was the OIA's undisputed top dog in paddling. Na Koa boys are three-time defending champs, and the school's mixed crew has won two straight titles, while the girls squad has won four crowns in the past five seasons.

But, as Keaunui explained, the small Native Hawaiian immersion school located in Palolo Valley recently added more sports and that has depleted the number of students coming out to join paddling.

As a result, of the three crews, only Na Koa's girls have enough points to qualify for a shot at defending their title.

The OIA will send its top nine crews from both the boys and girls divisions, and its best 10 mixed division clubs from Saturday's championship regatta to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association/First Hawaiian Bank Canoe Paddling Championships at Maui's Hanakao'o Beach Park on Feb. 7.

“;We're looking forward to it, as far as East vs. West,”; said Van Gieson of Saturday's championship regatta. “;All we can do is compare times, but that's why we race. Anything can happen.”;