Hawaii Prep boys take down Punahou with strong relays
Punahou's Jasmine Mau earned four gold medals yesterday, two individual and two in relays.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy seniors Logan Borowski, Kaikea Nakachi, Ryan Ross, coach Mark Noetzel, Kyle Katase and Sonny Hapgood earned a state title yesterday.
• Photo gallery: State Swimming and Diving Championships
In a victory that Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior Kyle Katase saw in biblical terms, the tiny Big Island school yesterday captured the boys state high school swimming and diving championship by minimizing individual glory in favor of higher-scoring team relays.
"It felt like David beating Goliath," said Katase, who with senior teammates Logan Borowski, Kaikea Nakachi and Ryan Ross placed first in all three relays. They set a state record of 1:35.70 in the 200-yard medley relay, topping the mark set by ‘Iolani two years ago by 0.27 seconds.
HPA has a student body of roughly 350, so it is always the underdog, Katase said, when competing against schools such as Punahou, ‘Iolani and Kamehameha. "But we have a lot of heart," he added.
HPA had 57 points, followed by Punahou with 36. ‘Iolani and Kamehameha were tied for third with 27.
Punahou captured the girls’ crown with 62 points, as freshman Jasmine Mau won the 200-yard individual medley (2:07.42) and 100-yard butterfly (56.88) and led the 200-yard medley and 400-yard freestyle relay teams to first-place finishes with times of 1:49.99 and 3:35.46, respectively. ‘Iolani finished second with 43 points. Third was Kealakehe with 19.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
This is Punahou’s 46th girls swimming crown since championships were first awarded in 1958.
"This outstanding record is a reflection of the hard work of the school’s divers and swimmers, and their desire to uphold a tradition of excellence," said Buffanblu coach Jeff Meister. "They know they are representing a great institution."
Meister cited senior LillyBelle Deer for her hard work to finish her prep career as the state and Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion in the 500-yard freestyle.
HPA coach Mark Noetzel said his four seniors came up with the strategy to emphasize the relays, which award the top five finishers double the number of points given in individual races.
"It was part of a two-year program that began last season when we finished third in states. The idea was to do what was best for the team to win a championship," he said.
The strategy was also a gamble. Under prep rules, a swimmer can swim two individual and two relay races or one individual race and three relays. Noetzel was confident that both Borowski, who won the 50-yard freestyle (20.74), and Nakachi, who won the 100-yard backstroke (51.44), could have triumphed in another event.
Noetzel also knew there would be strong relay competition from Punahou and ‘Iolani. As it turned out, a disqualification cost Punahou a second-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay, and in the 400-yard freestyle relay, ‘Iolani’s powerful Kacy Johnson, whose team was seeded No. 1 in this race, was able to overtake Punahou’s Ryan Saunders but not HPA anchor and team captain Nakachi.
Given the lead Nakachi had, Noetzel was convinced Johnson would not overtake him. "Not with Big Fish in," Noetzel said of Nakachi.
"All of us (four seniors) wanted to step up and swim our best in our last high school meet," Nakachi added.
Adding to HPA’s point total was Katase’s victory in the 100-yard breaststroke (59.60).
This was HPA’s second swimming crown; it also won the boys title in 1998 under Noetzel. Noetzel’s first championship came in 1989 when he coached the Punahou boys.
Two other state records fell yesterday.
Seabury Hall sophomore Renny Richmond finished in 48.04 seconds to set a record in the boys 100-yard butterfly, shattering the previous mark of 49.40 set by ‘Iolani’s Hong Zhe Sun in 2002.
"I felt a lot better (in the finals) than (during the trials on Friday)," Richmond said, even though he nearly broke a record then with a 50.20.
"I didn’t have my head in the game yesterday. I did today," said Richmond, who also finished first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:41.45).
In boys 1-meter diving, Punahou junior Spencer Madanay scored 486.10 points to break the record of 484.50 set by Punahou’s Drew Wallace in 2004.
"I guess my background in gymnastics helped," said Madanay, who has been diving since the eighth grade. "I’m happy with my score, and I’m excited that I beat the state record." Former record holder Wallace is Madanay’s coach.
Winning two individual race gold medals were:
» ‘Iolani junior Johnson, in the 200-yard individual medley (1:52.04) and 500-yard freestyle (4:32.56). Johnson has drawn interest from USC, Yale, Princeton and Pennsylvania.
» Kapolei senior Madeline Jamora, 50-yard freestyle (23.72) and 100-yard backstroke (58.09).
BOYS
| Team Standings | |
| 1. Hawaii Prep | 57 |
| 2. Punahou | 36 |
| 3. (tie) ‘Iolani | 27 |
| 3. (tie) Kamehameha | 27 |
| 5. Mililani | 22 |
| 6. Seabury Hall | 18; |
| 7. (tie) Island Pacific | 8 |
| 7. (tie) Waiakea | 8 |
| 9. (tie) Kalani | 7 |
| 9. (tie) Kalaheo | 7 |
| 11. (tie) Kihei | 3 |
| 11. (tie) Kealakehe | 3 |
| 11. (tie) Le Jardin | 3 |
| 11. (tie) Moanalua | 3 |
| 11. (tie) Baldwin | 3 |
| 16. (tie) Roosevelt | 2 |
| 16. (tie) Kaiser | 2 |
| 16. (tie) Hilo | 2 |
| 19. Lahainaluna | 1 |
1-meter dive
1. Spencer Madanay, Pun, 486.10; 2. Austin Howlett, SH, 455.25; 3. Ryan Brem, Bald, 370.15; 4. Roman De Shong, 252.00.
200-yard medley relay
1. Hawaii Prep (Kaikea Nakachi, Kyle Katase, Logan Borowski, Ryan Ross), 1:35.70; 2. Punahou, 1:39.02; 3. Mililani 1:41.07; 4. Kamehameha, 1:41.26; 5. Waiakea, 1:41.98; 6. Sacred Hearts, 1:43.06; 7. Bald, 1:45.84; 8. Kaiser, 1:47.99.
200-yard Freestyle
1. Renny Richmond, SH, 1:41.45; 2. Jacob Urbano, Kalah, 1:43.39; 3. Taiga Hashimoto, Kaln, 1:44.43; 4. Robert Kiessling, Pun, 1:44.83; 5. Kale Ai, KS, 1:46.72; 6. Kinney Gandall, Hilo, 1:47.04; 7. Joshua Gaastra, Luna, 1:47.08; 8. Campbell Causey, Waik, 1:50.84.
200-yard Ind. Medley
1. Kacy Johnson, Iol, 1:52.04; 2. Austin Hirstein, IPA, 1:57.55; 3. Dane Kawamoto, Mili, 1:59.44; 4. Victor Alumbaugh, Kais, 1:59.93; 5. Evan Uy, KS, 2:00.88; 6. Ryan Saunders, Pun, 2:01.06; 7. Evan Rosca, Moan, 2:01.21; 8. Ren. Kuwaye-Tamanaha, Waik, 2:03.17.
50-yard Freestyle
1. Logan Borowski, HPA, 20.74; 2. Ryan Stack, KS, 22.11; 3. Mitchell Richmond, Pun, 22.20; 4. Jay Smart, Pun, 22.48; 5. Sky Hirsch, Kihei, 22.65; 6. David Lim, Iol, 22.76; 7. Evan Hamamoto, Iol, 22.90; 8. Ryan Rimando, Waik, 23.01.
100-yard Butterfly
1. Renny Richmond, SH, 48.04; 2. Kevin Frifeldt, Mili, 50.71; 3. Grant Uekawa, Waik, 53.09; 4. Mitchell Richmond, Pun, 53.31; 5. Ky Foo, Keal, 54.60; 6. Andrew Lum, Pun, 54.64; 7. Ryan Kawano, Waik, 55.63; 8. Sean Yamada, Mili, 56.86.
100-yard Freestyle
1. Robert Kiessling, Pun, 48.16; 2. Taiga Hashimoto, Kaln, 48.30; 3. Ryan Ross, HPA, 48.94; 4. Ryan Stack, KS, 49.21; 5. Kramer Ichimura, Mili, 49.25; 6. Jay Smart, Pun, 49.85; 7. Evan Hamamoto, Iol, 50.15; 8. Sky Hirsch, Kihei, 50.23.
500-yard Freestyle
1. Kacy Johnson, Iol, 4:32.56; 2. Kale Ai, KS, 4:44.93; 3. Jacob Urbarno, Kalah, 4:47.52; 4. Ky Foo, Keal, 4:49.93; 5. Ryan Saunders, Pun, 4:51.68; 6. Marcus Gilliland, KS, 4:55.54; 7. Kinney Gandall, Hilo, 4:57.48; 8. Campbell Causey, Waik, 5:02.72.
200 Freestyle Relay
1. Hawaii Prep (Kyle Katase, Kaikea Nakachi, Ryan Ross, Logan Borowski), 1:26.47; 2. Kamehameha, 1:29.20; 3. ‘Iolani, 1:29.20; 4. Mililani, 1:30.71; 5. Waiakea, 1:32.90; 6. Le Jardin, 1:33.72; 7. Kalani, 1:34.36; DQ-Punahou.
100-yard Backstroke
1. Kaikea Nakachi, HPA, 51.44; 2. Austin Hirstein, IPA, 52.43; 3. Ian White, LJA, 54.18; 4. Kevin Arakaki, Roos, 54.74; 5. Joshua Gaastra, Luna, 55.13; 6. Sonny Hapgood, HPA, 55.37; 7. Nigel Ng, Pun, 55.90; 8. Victor Alumbaugh, Kais, 56.50.
100-yard Breaststroke
1. Kyle Katase, HPA, 59.60; 2. Evan Uy, KS, 1:00.39; 3. Evan Rosca, Moan, 1:00.55; 4. Christian Kubo, Hilo, 1:02.00; 5. Ryan Rimando, Waik, 1:02.18; 6. Alex Yee, Maryk, 1:02.49; 7. Ren. Kuwaye-Tamanaha, Waik, 1:02.95; 8. Zachary Woo, Pun, 1:03.11.
400 Freestyle Relay
1. Hawaii Prep (Logan Borowski, Kyle Katase, Ryan Ross, Kaikea Nakachi), 3:12.82; 2. ‘Iolani, 3:15.26; 3. Punahou, 3:15.73; 4. Mililani, 3:17.86; 5. Sacred Hearts, 3:18.34; 6. Kamehameha, 3:18.97; 7. Waiakea, 3:26.57; 8. Kalani, 3:26.96.
GIRLS
| Team Standings | |
| Team | Pts. |
| 1. Punahou | 62 |
| 2. ‘Iolani | 43 |
| 3. Kealakehe | 19 |
| 4. Waiakea | 18 |
| 5. (tie) Kaiser | 17 |
| 5. (tie) Hilo | 17 |
| 7. Kamehameha | 16 |
| 8. Kapolei | 12 |
| 9. Mid-Pacific | 10 |
| 10. Baldwin | 8 |
| 11. Lahainaluna | 5 |
| 12. (tie) Hawaii Baptist | 4 |
| 12. (tie) Castle | 4 |
| 14. Mililani | 3 |
| 15. Leilehua | 2 |
1-meter Dive
1. Kathryn Chinn, Pun, 441.85. 2. Nikki Imanaka, Cas, 376.80. 3. Danae Olaso, Bal, 344.45. 4. Caitlin Curammeng, Bal, 328.75. 5. Christin Lim, Iol, 318.40.
200 medley relay
200-yard Medley Relay
1. Punahou (Jasmine Mau, Brandi Halemano, Sara Kahanamoku-Snelling, Naomi Ng), 1:49.99. 2. ‘Iolani 1:51.58. 3. Kaiser 1:53.86. 4. Kealakehe 1:53.91. 5. Kamehameha-Hawaii 1:54.73. 6. Waiakea 1:54.94. 7. Kamehameha-Maui 1:58.91. 8. Mililani 1:59.84.
200-yard Freestyle
1. Kiana Yamashiro, KSH, 1:54.79. 2. LillyBelle Deer, Pun, 1:56.45. 3. Beth Tsuha, Hilo, 1:56.90. 4. Rachel Shimizu, Wai, 1:59.30. 5. Jesselee Chapman, Lah, 2:00.95. 6. Anya Littlefield, Kapaa, 2:01.06. 7. Jessica Watkins, Kaiser, 2:02.67. 8. Trisha Ishikawa, Kaimuki, 2:03.66.
200-yard Ind. Medley
1. Jasmine Mau, Pun, 2:07.42. 2. Summer Harrison, MPI, 2:09.94. 3. Madison-Gail Hauanio, Kea, 2:12.39. 4. Kelcie Kimura, Iol, 2:14.15. 5. Eryn Nakashima, Pun, 2:17.01. 6. Charlea Goodness, KSH, 2:17.41. 7. Michaela Yamashita, Mryk, 2:17.92. 8. Sharae Ichinose, Hilo, 2:18.22.
50-yard Freestyle
1. Madeline Jamora, Kap, 23.72. 2. Madisyn Uekawa, Wai, 24.47. 3. Aja Grande, Iol, 25.16. 4. Maile Edwards, Kaiser, 25.34. 5. Sandy Chun, Iol, 25.54. 6. Sheila Altura, Bal, 25.55. 7. Roxanna Kiessling, Pun, 25.63. 8. Jenna Shibano, Bal, 26.5.
100-yard Butterfly
1. Jasmine Mau, Pun, 56.88. 2. Caitlyn Whang, Iol, 59.42. 3. Sheila Altura, Bal, 1:00.53. 4. Josette Gose, Mil, 1:00.81. 5. Aurora Calderara, Wai, 1:01.63. 6. Michaela Yamashit, Mryk, 1:01.90. 7. Korl Gill, Lah, 1:02.54. 8. Alyssa Ssaki, Iol, 1:03.15.
100-yard Freestyle
1. Summer Harrison, MPI, 52.60. 2. Kiana Yamashiro, KSH, 52.76. 3. Beth Tsuha, Hilo, 53.93. 4. Kelcie Kimura, Iol, 54.13. 5. Sara Kahanamoku-Snelling, Pun, 54.69. 6. Melisa Kegans, Iol, 54.84. 7. Maile Edwards, Kai, 55.46. 8. Naomi Ng, Pun, 56.10.
500-yard Freestyle
1. LillyBele Deer, Pun, 5:09.89. 2. Jesselee Chapman, Lah, 5:13.69. 3. Natsuko Muranaka, HBA, 5:16.49. 4. Leahi Camacho, Kea, 5:18.28. 5. Rachel Shimizu, Wai, 5:20.62. 6. Charlea Goodness, KSH, 5:22.19. 7. Anya Littlefield, Kap, 5:23.13. 8. Jessica Watskins, Kaiser, 5:28.46.
200 Freestyle Relay
1. ‘Iolani (Caitlyn Whang, Sandy Chun, Melisa Kegans, Kelcie Kimura), 1:39.94. 2. Punahou 1:40.78. 3. Hilo 1:43.16. 4. Waiakea 1:43.60. 5. Kaiser 1:43.77. 6. Lahainaluna 1:44.77. 7. Baldwin 1:45.30. 8. Kamehameha-Hawaii 1:46.58.;
100-yard Backstroke
1. Madeline Jamora, Kap, 58.09. 2. Madison-Gail Hauanio, Kea, 1:00.56. 3. Sharae Ichinose, Hilo, 1:00.61. 4. Sandy Chun, Iol, 1:00.87. 5. Natsuko Muranaka, HBA, 1:01.62. 6. Kristi McQuaid, Kai, 1:02.02. 7. Miranda Estrella, Pun, 1:02.97. 8. Naomi Ng, Pun, 1:03.18.
100-yard Breaststroke
1. Madisyn Uekawa, Wai, 1:05.65. 2. Corrine Shigeta, Kai, 1:08.54. 3. Kira Fox, Sai, 1:08.72. 4. Charlene Rivers, Lei, 1:09.32. 5. Josette Gose, Mil, 1:09.32. 6. Cara Jernigan, Kea, 1:10.38. 7. Brandi Halemano, Pun, 1:11.65. 8. Catia Marie Kaniho, KSH, 1:11.97.
400 Freestyle Relay
1. Punahou (Sara Kahanamoku-Snelling, Zoe Namba, Jasmine Mau, LillyBelle Deer), 3:35.46. 2. ‘Iolani 3:37.26. 3. Kamehameha-Hawaii 3:44.74. 4. Hilo 3:45.13. 5 Kaiser 3:48.83. 6. Molokai 3;57.24. Kealakehe and Mililani disqualified.
