Sabrina Hollins is adept at throwing masses into the periphery.

Powered by athleticism, strength and love for what she does, the Waipahu senior is on the verge of a rare double state title feat. In just her second year of judo, Hollins defended her title at Saturday’s state judo championships in the 220-pound weight class. This week, she enters the Island Movers/HHSAA Track and Field Championships on Maui as the state’s top thrower in the discus and shot put.

No female has ever won state titles in both of those sports, and Hollins has an opportunity to conclude her high school career with state titles on successive weekends. Trials for track begin Friday at War Memorial Stadium and finals are Saturday.

"I’m glad she has another chance to make it again," said Waipahu judo coach Josh Alcantara. "Hoping for the best."

Hollins won the OIA shot put and discus titles as a sophomore and won the OIA shot put title on May 2. Hollins joined wrestling and judo as a junior, with no background in either of those sports, at the suggestion of peers. After winning a state judo title last May, she followed it up with a national title at July’s United States Judo Federation Championships while competing for Pearl City Hongwanji.

Even Hollins admitted her judo background sounded unusual.

"That’s crazy, my first year," Hollins said.

Hollins has been busy the past few months. She finished second in the 225 weight class at March’s state wrestling championships, then moved on to judo and track.

"I used to skip judo practice to come to track," Hollins said. "But since I’m involved in club judo, I can go to track practice and then judo after."

Deli Oania, one of Waipahu’s throwing coaches, said they hold practices when Hollins isn’t at judo. Hollins pointed out this year’s schedule has worked out since the OIA and state championships for judo and track aren’t on the same weekend.

"Whatever (competition) comes first, I focus on that," Hollins said.

While her time is split between two sports, she has the support of both of her coaches.

"As long as they give 100 percent wherever they go, I’m more than supportive of them," Alcantara said. "She knows how to balance it out, she respects both coaches, both coaching staffs, her teammates. When she does come out to practice, she’s always willing to help. Not just improving herself but her teammates, too."

There’s a misconception that wrestling and judo are similar. Hollins learned that her wrestling techniques — such as grabbing an opponent’s legs — weren’t applicable in judo. But each sport has developed muscle groups that are used in all three of her sports, where core and balance are vital. Imagine trying to control your body while throwing a 200-pound opponent, or spinning in a circle to launch a discus some 130 feet into a field, and still remain upright after the throw.

"They all help out each other," Hollins said. "In judo, it helps out the legs and wrestling, the arms and endurance. That helps with the shot put and discus with the balance."

Alcantara said most wrestlers have a difficult time transitioning over to judo, two sports with different dynamics. Hollins’ athleticism eased the transition.

"When she came out from wrestling, it was kind of a hard transition," Alcantara said. "They’re more on the ground, judo is stand-up. But she had the athletic ability to adapt."

Hollins is one of only two girls from Waipahu to win a state judo title. Keisha Marcelino won in 2009 at 220. Hollins is also one of five judoka affiliated with Pearl City Hongwanji to win at Saturday’s state championships.

The joyous feeling of winning was slightly tempered by a tinge of disappointment. After winning May’s OIA shot put title, Hollins was disappointed because her throw wasn’t far enough. Hollins knew she could’ve thrown farther than her winning mark of 44 feet, 4 inches, which was a season best and just 2 inches off the meet record.

"I throw a 45 during practice," said Hollins, who also placed second in the OIA discus. "I was shooting for the 45. That’s all right, but I want to shoot for more."

A 45 might be enough to win a state shot put title. Hollins enters this weekend with the top mark in the discus at 137-2.

"I was hoping she would reach 45," Oania said. "She’s been consistent at 45 at school. That’s always been her goal, the 45. I know she can hit it."

At states last year, Hollins was seventh in the shot put and fouled in all three of her attempts in the discus. Oania said an improved attitude has allowed Hollins to improve this season.

Waipahu’s faculty and staff encourage Hollins to go further. When Oania recently asked if she applied to college, Hollins said she already did. After graduation, Hollins plans to continue with club judo and wants to throw at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas before transferring back to Hawaii.

"The support and the pride, everybody supports you in everything you do," Hollins said. "The teachers, even the ladies in the office, they always tell me, ‘Shoot for more, shoot for more.’ They make me want to go farther."

Hollins is built for the physical demands of her three sports. Those encouraging words may provide the final boost for back-to-back state titles.

"I feel humbled because I want to show them I can do what they want me to do," she said.

NOTES

Punahou boys tennis coach Komori to take break

Punahou boys tennis coach Rusty Komori is taking a well-deserved break.

No one can question his accomplishments. On Saturday, he wrapped up his 22nd consecutive state team title (the 25th in a row for the program) and, before that, he won 130 matches in singles and doubles combined as a player for Creighton University.

But those 22 years of titles came with what he calls "22 years of stresses."

At this time next year, he won’t have to worry about getting to the state tennis site nice and early to bite his nails while one of his singles players or doubles teams is challenging for a title.

"I have no energy left for it," he said bluntly on Saturday. "There is so much emotion in it, along with countless hours of preparation."

Komori, 45, will continue to work at Punahou as a full-time tennis pro, running the age-group program. He’s just taking the varsity high school part out.

He’s intensely proud to be part of the national record of 25 straight titles in any prep sport.

"That is something all of Hawaii can be proud of," he said. "People ask me all the time, ‘Why is it you that has the record?’ I tell them that No. 1, we don’t take anybody for granted. And two, we always try to outdo what we’ve done. There is a constant striving for excellence. It’s such an individual sport, but since I took over in 1994, I want all 12 players to feel important and a big part of the team. No. 12 should feel just as important as No. 1."

Tom Holden, a Punahou athletic administrator, had a ton of positive things to say about Komori, who was inducted into the Creighton Athletic Hall of Fame last year.

"Rusty holds all of his athletes accountable to the highest standard of character and sportsmanship," Holden said. "One of his biggest gifts is being able to make on-court adjustments for the players between sets to manage their game better and get inside their heads to settle them down if their confidence starts to fade. He sets the bar for his players extremely high and is uniquely adept at peaking his athletes at the right time — the state tournament."

—Nick Abramo

Shimokawa, Okamura out at ‘Iolani

‘Iolani is losing two spring sports coaches, according to athletic director Carl Schroers.

Baseball coach Brent Shimokawa and softball coach Corey Okamura will not return for next season.

“I am proud of both of them,” Schroers said. “They gave their heart and soul to a bunch of our students. They were both well liked and kept a high standard. It (the reason for leaving) was time issues for both of them.”

This spring, ‘Iolani went 4-11 under Okamura and 5-11 under Shimokawa.

Raiders co-athletic director Wendell Look is accepting applications for the baseball and softball positions through May 22. Resumes can be sent to football@iolani.org.

—Nick Abramo

THE TOP 10

Voted on by coaches and media from statewide. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, etc.