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Records fall at ILH championship

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FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARADVERTISER.COM
Breanne Ball of ‘Iolani sprinted around the turn en route to a record run in the 800 meters during yesterday’s ILH track and field championships at Punahou.
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FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kamehameha’s Jordan Thibodeau sprinted home to set a boys 800 record. He also won the 1,500.

Punahou won the boys and girls team titles at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu track and field championships yesterday, but the surprise was the six individual records set at the meet.

Overcast, cool conditions prevailed for most of yesterday’s meet at Punahou’s Alexander Field. That helped Kamehameha’s Jordan Thibodeau shatter the boys 800-meter run record by 2 seconds. The senior finished with a time of 1 minute, 54.32 seconds. He also won the 1,500.

"I’m happy. I was going for it, so I’m glad I broke it," Thibodeau said of the record, which officials said had stood for 30 years. "I could feel my face, the pain up to my face. Overcast it’s cooler and there’s not much wind, that generally makes it easier. The air is heavier, but the benefits of the shade and less wind counters the air thickness."

Thibodeau also won the 1,500.

"The 1,500 was more of a relaxed pace. I wanted to save it for the 800. For the 800, I went all out," the senior said. "The first time I won the 800, it was on a wet track, so it brought back good memories. The last time was at the state championships my sophomore year."

‘Iolani teammates Breanne Ball and Abrianna Johnson-Edwards teamed up to help their 4×400 relay team place first, but prior to that, they set ILH marks. Ball ran the 800 in 2:15.88. Johnson-Edwards, a sophomore, broke the mark in the 100 hurdles — one of three events she won — with a time of 12.52.

"I feel good. I’m real excited that our 4×400 team won, too," Ball said. "I like it better with team, but individually, I’m happy, too."

Johnson-Edwards is also a varsity basketball player at ‘Iolani, but setting a mark may attract more attention.

"It took a lot of heart, and my coaches are a big part of everything. They believe in me sometimes when I don’t believe in myself. A lot of my confidence comes from my coaches, my family and my teammates," Johnson-Edwards said.

Punahou also had two record breakers. Julia Brand won the 300 hurdles in 44.64 seconds.

"Last year, I didn’t do as well, a lack of training, so that served as an incentive to work harder," Brand said. "All the intervals we’ve been doing really helped."

Sammy Marumoto, a freshman, set a record in the pole vault with a height of 10 feet, 7.5 inches. Her record was set during Wednesday’s qualifying trials.

Hannah Sherill of Pac-Five also set a mark on Wednesday, tossing the discus 140 feet, 6 inches.

Christian Academy’s Raion Black was spectacular, with wins in the girls 100 (12.52), 200 (26.00) and 400 (59:37). She was happy to become the Patriots’ first three-event champion.

"We used to practice at Aiea, but they allowed us to practice at Hickam. It’s a good track," Black said. "I’m grateful."

Black, a sophomore, will pare down next week and compete only in the 100 and 200 dashes at states.

"The 400 is a good exercise to do faster in the 100 and 200, but if I don’t have to do the 400, I can go harder in the other two," she said. "I try not to think about the age. I pretty much have the mind-set that I’m not doing this for me, you know. God gives me the strength to do this. I’m trying to go out there so people know the small schools have just as big a name as the big schools."

Jeremy Tabuyo of Saint Louis turned in a three-event championship performance, winning the 100 (10.97) and 200 (22:42) and running with the winning 4×100 relay crew.

"I’ve been practicing my starts. It’s my fastest hand time," Tabuyo said. "My problem is getting off the blocks. I’m working on coming off faster and more smooth. Getting low gets me off, driving out with more power."

Tabuyo intends to compete in five events at next week’s state championships on Maui: 100, 200, 400, 4×100 relay and 4×400 relay.

"I really feel that his mechanics are superb," Crusaders coach Anthony Arceneaux said. "I just feel his driving and his start can take him to that next level."

Tabuyo posted a time of 50.89 in the 400 earlier in the season. Yesterday’s 400 champion was K.T. Tuumalo, who finished in 50.52.

Punahou’s girls amassed 205 points to win easily. ‘Iolani (71), Kamehameha (59), Hawaii Baptist (50), Sacred Hearts (30) and Christian Academy (30) followed.

The boys of Punahou placed first with 162 points, followed by Kamehameha (140), Saint Louis (86), ‘Iolani (54) and Mid-Pacific (24).

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