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Kamehameha has conquered again.
With four individual state champions, a runner-up and a mass of point-scorers on the back side of the brackets, the Warriors piled up 178 points to capture the boys team title at the Chevron/HHSAA Boys Wrestling State Championships on Saturday at Blaisdell Arena.
Dane Pestano (215) captured his second state crown, while Jonathan Kamaka (135), Keamalu Richardson (145) and Ikea Ikehara (Kamehameha) racked up big points for the Warriors. Jonah Luning-Hoshino, second at 160, also played a big role as Kamehameha took the title for the first time since 2005.
"I feel relieved. My voice is shot. I’m a passionate coach. I’m really proud of the boys. They really worked together as a team," Kamehameha boys coach Chris West said.
Pestano lost in the 215 final two years ago as a sophomore, but has gone unbeaten against Hawaii competition while winning the division twice since. He got past Lahainaluna junior Hercules Mataafa in the final.
The back-side scoring included a major contribution from Larry Himalaya, who lost in the semifinals of the 125 weight class, but battled back. Skye Yonamine lost in the quarterfinals of the 120 division, but also notched key points for the Warriors’ championship drive.
"To me, that’s the heart of a champion, to keep competing for your team even if your chance at a title is over," West said.
Campbell, the runner-up with 144 points, was spurred by 108-pound champion Brandon Perez, who edged Christian Balagso of Lahainaluna 8-6 in the final. The Lunas finished third with 134 points.
There were several notable repeat winners, including Mid-Pacific’s Joshua Terao. The junior won the 130 title by defeating Joshua Crimmins of Punahou by fall. He won the 125 gold medal last year.
"I trained really hard over the past year, preparing for Fargo (N.D.) and the offseason," said Terao, a junior. "I feel ecstatic. It’s very different from last year. I’m setting my sights on winning nationals."
Mililani’s Braydon Akeo, the 2011 champ at 108, took this year’s championship at 125.
Punahou senior Laurent "L.J." Remillard took his second state title at 160, adding to the family trophy case. His dad, Larry Sr., won the 155 title in 1978.
The younger Remillard outlasted Luning-Hoshino for the title.
"It’s bitter because I wish I could do this longer," he said.
Blake Cooper of Pearl City captured his second state title, taking the 152 gold by defeating Andrew Kahalewai of Kamehameha-Maui 11-2. Cooper won the 145 crown last year.
"It’s the same feeling," the junior said. "It’s the same thing. I stayed with the basics and listened to what my dad said. He got me through everything."
He’s one title away from tying his older brother, Raynald Cooper III, for most titles in the family.
"He says the same thing as my dad — go out, wrestle hard," he said.
Chaeden Grace-Reyes of Moanalua repeated at 171 as champion, taking notes from his dad, Farrington coach Darren Reyes, throughout his career.
"It’s awesome going out as a senior this way," he said.
Perhaps no other wrestler was as satisfied as Richardson, Kamehameha’s champ at 145. He was pinned by Mililani’s Robert Kim, the top seed, in a preseason meet.
[ 108 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Brandon Perez (Campbell) def. Christian Balagso (Lahainaluna) 8-6
Match recap: Balagso briefly got the edge with a 2-0 lead, but Perez, the top seed, took control. Balagso made it interesting with a quick reversal to cut the lead to 8-6 in the final seconds.
Quote: "Coach said you have to have a short-term memory. I kept going to my takedowns. I feel relieved."
Third place
Blaysen Terukina (Kamehameha) def. Chance Ikei (Kaiser) 11-5
Fifth place
Josten Saribay (King Kekaulike) def. Jordan Ng (‘Iolani) 6-5
[ 114 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Treylan Kobayashi (Waialua) def. Zachary Diamond (Mililani) 7-5
Match recap: Kobayashi became Waialua’s first boys champion since Joe Baregi in 1989 by beating Diamond for the fourth time this season.
Quote: "I always heard about (Baregi) from my brother and my coach. I kept using my takedowns and my coaches said no stupid moves. Keep it basic."
Third place
Justin Raymond (Konawaena) def. Jake Nakasone (‘Iolani) 14-10
Fifth place
Eric Hironaka (Kaiser) def. Sean Urabe (Punahou) 7-3
[ 120 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Alex Ursua (University) def. Brendan Chang (Maryknoll) 4-3.
Match recap: The junior transfer from Pearl City capped an undefeated season. He also overcame a head-butt that had both wrestlers stunned for a few minutes.
Quote: "I kind of blacked out for a second. It was mostly singles. I had to come off inside."
Third place
Christian Natividad (Campbell) def. Skye Yonamine (Kamehameha) 2-1
Fifth place
Jordan Kondo (Punahou) def. Dylan Uno (Kaimuki) 9-4
[ 125 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Braydon Akeo (Mililani) def. Thomas Tawata (Hawaii Baptist) 8-6, OT
Match recap: In the opening period, Tawata had Akeo in position for a pin, but official time was called due to blood on Akeo. After another timeout to clean blood off the mat, the Trojan gained momentum in the final period, tying it at 6 on a takedown with less than a minute left. Akeo then scored on another takedown in overtime to complete a 32-0 season.
Quote: "He’s a real tough guy, a bit stronger than me. That kind of situation, I have to be smart and use technique."
Third place
Zachary Kido (Campbell) def. Reinton Kawamae (Roosevelt) 2-1
Fifth place
Peter Kim (Saint Louis) def. Larry Himalaya (Kamehameha) 7-4
[ 130 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Joshua Terao (Mid-Pacific) def. Joshua Crimmins (Punahou) pin, 3:19
Match recap: Terao dominated, as he did in three previous matches during the tourney. He led 12-2 before pinning Crimmins with 41 seconds left. Terao won his second title and capped a 32-0 season.
Quote: "I feel ecstatic. I trained really hard the past year. I want to thank my coaches at Grapplers HI and my Pac-Five coaches."
Third place
William James Yoro (Campbell) def. Chauncey Kano (Kapolei) 3-1
Fifth place
Wade Booth (Kealakehe) def. Curtis Palmeira (King Kekaulike) 6-4
[ 135 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Jonathan Kamaka (Kamehameha) def. Wyatt Chism (Lahainaluna) 8-3
Match recap: The top seed used his strength and technique against the taller Chism. His use of the leg ride was an unusual sight, but it worked perfectly.
Quote: "I watched (Chism) one match and I knew I could take him down. Most times, when I get on top, I’m pretty solid. Tats Hikiji taught me the leg ride since my sophomore year, but only this year I mastered it."
Third place
Tristen Kamaka (Leilehua) def. Canaan Kawaiahe (Kailua) 11-6
Fifth place
Conrad Parks (Waiakea) def. Joshua Hao (Campbell) 5-3
[ 140 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Harry Jaramillo (Lahainaluna) def. Nakoa Chun (Moanalua) 11-2
Match recap: The junior took his first state title by overpowering Chun, then cried in coach Harry Hayase’s arms. Jaramillo, a muscular, compact athlete, won all four of his state matches by decision.
Quote: "I’m filled with joy. I’m so happy. My coach trained me so hard. He believed in me. He told me I would become a state champion."
Third place
Sean Chan (‘Iolani) def. Makana Valdez (Punahou) 2-1
Fifth place
Liam Corbett (Radford) def. Noah Caparida (Molokai) 4-3
[ 145 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Keamalu Richardson (Kamehameha) def. Robert Kim (Mililani) 6-5
Match recap: Richardson’s two-point takedown with 29 seconds left broke a 4-all tie. Leading 6-5, he held on in the final 15 seconds to upset the previously unbeaten, top-seeded Kim.
Quote: "He’s been unstoppable. It’s about one mind, don’t focus on the crowd, on the pressure, on the refs. Just wrestle."
Third place
Jacob Solomon (Kalaheo) def. Tyler Egami (Punahou) 11-3
Fifth place
Zackery Kijek (Kais.) def. Jay Robinson Nabarrete Ladines (Camp.) 12-11
[ 152 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Blake Cooper (Pearl City) def. Andrew Kahalewai (Kamehameha-Maui) 11-2
Match recap: The top-seeded Cooper was in compete control, completing his second unbeaten season in a row. He won the 145 title last year.
Quote: "I just listened to what my dad said. He got me through everything. Ray (older brother Raynald Cooper III) and I train crazy."
Third place
Brandon Lum (‘Iolani) def. Kainoa Marumoto (Kapolei) 8-1
Fifth place
Gabriel Strait (Hanalani) def. Alec Donner (Kaiser) 3-2
[ 160 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Laurent Remillard (Punahou) def. Jonah Hoshino (Kamehameha) 10-0
Match recap: Remillard repeated as 160 state champ by controlling this match start to finish.
Quote: "I’ve been wrestling since fourth grade with coach Jack Belli all the way to now with coach Matt (Oney). I wish I could do this longer, but this has shaped me into the person I am now."
Third place
Rodney Williams (Castle) def. Giovani Perez (Lahainaluna) 2-1
Fifth place
Brandon Saiki (Saint Louis) def. Kristian Vaana Kikuyama (Pearl City) 6-1
[ 171 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Chaeden Grace Reyes (Moanalua) def. Donavan Nelson (Waianae) 17-6
Match recap: Grace Reyes used a cradle to open a six-point lead and the top seed dominated from that point on, finishing 36-0 this season.
Quote: "I was more mature this year, more technical with my points, not giving up free points as much."
Third place
Spencer Kiehm (‘Iolani) def. Troy Williams (Castle) pin
Fifth place
Robert Tano (Punahou) def. Kayed Rodrigues (Waiakea) pin
[ 189 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Ikea Ikehara (Kamehameha) def. Cornelius Putnam (Campbell) pin, 2:33
Match recap: Once he got Putnam on the ground, Ikehara’s strength took a toll. He placed second at 171 last year and fourth at 160 in 2011.
Quote: "I just wanted to stay on the aggressive side and keep shooting. I stuck my legs in and power halved."
Third place
Jonah Seui (Saint Louis) def. Haaheo Chan (Keaau) pin
Fifth place
Paul Joe (Pearl City) def. Danny Welds Ebanks (Baldwin) 7-5
[ 215 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Dane Pestano (Kamehameha) def. Hercules Mataafa (Lahainaluna) 8-2
Match recap: The senior defended his title with a convincing win over the taller, athletic Mataafa. He went 22-0 this season, his second undefeated year in a row.
Quote: "He’s a tough dude, very strong. I tried to use my shots more, my fakes and ride tough, win all the positions."
Third place
Simeon Vierra (Kahuku) def. Tristan Ludiazo (Campbell) 6-2
Fifth place
Dayton Furuta (Mililani) def. Logan Sanborn (Saint Louis) 6-2
[ 285 POUNDS ]
Championship match
Jaryn Villegas (Leilehua) def. Toese Tia (Campbell) 3-2
Match recap: Tia led 2-0 entering the second period. Villegas notched one point when Tia was penalized for locking hands on a hold, then took a 3-2 lead with less than two minutes left in the third on an escape.
Quote: "Earlier in the season, I did that (hand lock) on him and got a penalty. In this situation, everything happens so fast. He’s one helluva athlete."
Third place
Tyman Hayashi (University) def. Robert Latuselu (Kahuku) pin
Fifth place
Connor Mowat (Lahainaluna) def. Zephaniah Pavao (Keaau) 7-2
[ BOYS STANDINGS ]
| 1. Kamehameha |
178 |
| 2. Campbell |
144 |
| 3. Lahainaluna |
134 |
| 4. Punahou |
120 |
| 5. Mililani |
86.5 |
| 6. ‘Iolani |
84 |
| 7. Pearl City |
61.5 |
| 8. Saint Louis |
52.5 |
| 9. Moanalua |
51 |
| 10. Kaiser |
46 |
| 11. University |
45 |
| 12. Waiakea |
41 |
| 13. Leilehua |
35 |
| 14. Kahuku |
34 |
| t15. Kapolei |
33 |
| Mid-Pacific |
33 |
| 17. Waianae |
30 |
| 18. Castle |
29.5 |
| 19. Waialua |
28 |
| 20. Keaau |
26 |
| t21. King Kekaulike |
22 |
| Konawaena |
22 |
| t23. Baldwin |
21 |
| Hawaii Baptist |
21 |
| 25. Maryknoll |
20.5 |
| 26. Roosevelt |
19.5 |
| t27. Kailua |
19 |
| t27. Kalaheo |
19 |
| t27. Radford |
19 |
| t30. KS-Maui |
18 |
| t30. Kealakehe |
18 |
| 32. KS-Hawaii |
12 |
| t33. Damien |
11 |
| t33. Hanalani |
11 |
| 35. Molokai |
10.5 |
| t36. Honokaa |
9 |
| t36. McKinley |
9 |
| 38. Hawaii Prep |
8 |
| 39. Kaimuki |
7 |
| 40. Aiea |
5 |
