For four years, Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz has successfully cleared the bar.
Nearing the end of his final season, the Kamehameha senior won his fourth boys high jump title at the ILH track and field championships at Kunuiakea Stadium. Smith-Bejgrowicz cleared 6 feet, 2 inches to capture the high jump on Wednesday and won the triple jump and long jump on Friday.
"It’s been nice, it’s definitely a blessing," Smith-Bejgrowicz said. "I have great coaches who’ve helped me out so much. We started focusing on high jump, and as the years progressed we reached into long jump and triple jump. High jump has always been consistent, so that’s great."
Smith-Bejgrowicz started Friday’s meet by winning the long jump, his favorite event, with a leap of 22-0 3⁄4. Later, he won the triple jump with a mark of 44- 9 1 ⁄4 . His performances helped the Warriors win the team title with 167 points. The Kamehameha girls also won the team title with 163.50 points.
"It’s been amazing, especially being at home, it felt like being at states (at Kamehameha) last year as a matter of fact," Smith-Bejgrowicz said. "It’s that feeling of being home and you’re putting out for your team, doing the best you can for everybody around. It’s a great environment to be in."
Kamehameha’s Keola Pedrina, Justin Desaki, Noah Sua-Godinet and Dylan Kane set the meet record in the boys 4×100-meter relay with a time of 42.64 seconds. Kane, the defending state champion in the 100, ran the anchor leg.
"We pride ourselves on the 4×100, always trying to improve every week. We’ve had injuries here and there, everyone this year," said Kane, who has a strained left bicep. "We haven’t really been healthy, but we’re finally starting to jell and get healthy at the right time."
Kamehameha junior Kaeo Kruse repeated as the 1,500 and 3,000 winner. He won the 1,500 in 4:02.88, holding off Punahou’s Connor Lehl (4:03.13). In the 3,000, Kruse sprinted ahead in the final 200 meters to win in 9:27.01. Lehl was second in 9:30.64.
The Warriors’ Alema Kapoi won the shot put. ‘Iolani’s Jonathan Liu won the 110 and 300 hurdles and teammates Kamuela Borden and Keoni-Kordell Makekau took the discus and 100. Punahou’s event winners were Kyle Bosworth (pole vault), Donovan Brown (400), Gordon Kowalkowski (800), Kanawai Noa (200) and the 4×400 relay team of Brown, Eamon Brady, Justin Matias and Aaron Woo.
Hawaii Baptist’s Madison Moku won the girls 100, 200 and 400. The freshman trains under her father, Sam, a former Kamehameha coach who led the Warriors to boys state team titles in 2000, 2003 and 2005.
"It was amazing, being able to win all those events and be able to show what I’ve been training for for a long time," she said. "I want to thank my parents and coaches for helping me get to where I am today."
‘Iolani senior Lindsey Combs was ecstatic she ran personal records in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles, more so than winning the 100 hurdles for the second time and 300 hurdles for the third time. This provides a shot of confidence heading into the state meet in two weeks, knowing she’s competitive with hurdlers from the neighbor islands. Combs also ran on the winning 4×400 relay team with Ariane Roy, Helen Hogan and Marissa Miyagi.
"The most important part of this meet was PR, because I’m racing against all the girls here, but in my head I have an image of girls from other islands running next to me," Combs said. "It feels pretty good, but I wouldn’t feel as happy as I am now if I hadn’t PR’d today."
Kamehameha’s Cassidy Apo finished her senior year with her third straight high jump title. Apo won by clearing 5 feet and was unsuccessful at clearing 5-4, a height she’s been aiming for. Attaining a mark over 5 feet would be key at winning a state title.
"It’s really competing at my best," Apo said. "From freshman year, I’ve been moving up. I know I can jump 5-4. I know I can do what I need to do, just going out there and just like any other meet, do what I need to do. Five-two is comfortable for me. Some days it’s maybe my step is off or not having enough pop that I usually have. But I know when I put my mind to it, I’ll get it."
Also winning events for the Warriors were Kayla Afoa (long jump), Reyn Akiu (triple jump), Shantel Aleki (shot put) and the 4×100 relay team of Afoa, Mikiala Maio, Mikaylah Kaohu and Sarah Lau.
Sacred Hearts’ Phoebe Kirk repeated as 800 champion. Damien’s Melenaite Vaea won the discus. ‘Iolani’s Amanda Beaman won the 1,500 and 3000 and teammate Jessica Lau won the pole vault.