Raion Black

Christian Academy • Track and field

She comes from a tiny school with a giant footprint on the track.

Raion Black grew up not knowing about the running prowess of her father and mother. She followed some friends to Godspeed Track Club at the age of 10 and immediately became acquainted with underdog status.

Fifth place. Sixth place. Last place. Her sprinting future seemed bleak.

One day, she learned that her mother, Ceandrys, was a sprint champion back home in Louisiana. That lit a fire.

Black put her mind to it. She’d been at Christian Academy since preschool in a class with little more than a dozen students. She was determined to put the Patriots on the map. She and Mike Chin, an elite middle-distance runner, made sure of it.

By her sophomore season, there was no more lagging. Black became the state’s 100-meter sprint champion. By her junior year, she took the gold in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter events. This year, she repeated in the 100 and 200.

She did more than put her mind to cleaning up with medals at each state championship meet. She put her mind and time toward her goals.

"I give up a lot of social time, but it’s good. It keeps me out of trouble," she told the Star-Advertiser. "Coach (Rick) Chin won’t let us give up and he gives me a lot of encouragement. My family and my church family are always there to support me. I always think of them at practice."

She plans to run for the University of Hawaii and pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology.

Keelan Ewaliko

Baldwin • Football, track and field, soccer

As an assistant football coach at Baldwin, Cody Nakamura was already familiar with Keelan Ewaliko’s work ethic when the Bears’ quarterback and track standout joined his Hard Naks High Performance Training program.

When Ewaliko immersed himself in the program, "I saw him work like I’d never seen him work before," Nakamura said.

Ewaliko put on some muscle while dropping his times as he prepared for his senior season. He’ll head from Maui to Manoa in the fall to join the University of Hawaii football program after helping Baldwin claim three MIL football titles and back-to-back track and field state championships.

Ewaliko, who is also active in Maui’s rodeo circuit, earned MIL offensive player of the year honors each of the past three seasons. A three-year starter on the soccer team as well, Ewaliko’s breakout junior year culminated with a prominent role in Baldwin’s first track title, winning the 200-meter dash and anchoring the 4×100 relay champions.

Ewaliko repeated in both events at last month’s HHSAA championships at Mililani while adding the 100-meter title this time around, pulling away at the finish in each victory. His jaw-dropping performance proved pivotal as Baldwin edged Punahou by a fraction of a point in the team standings, becoming the first neighbor island team to repeat as boys state champion.

"His high-end speed is amazing," said Nakamura, now head football coach at Kamehameha-Maui. "That explosion, you’re not going to find that in a lot of college athletes."

Michael Fisher

Hawaii • Baptist Volleyball

Not so long ago, a couple of years back, Michael Fisher decided to give volleyball his 100-percent attention.

The bad news for Hawaii Baptist’s basketball team was great news for the Eagles’ volleyball program. Fisher grew and grew.

"I try to get a good night’s sleep every night. I go to bed by 9:30 at the latest," said Fisher, whose skills as an all-around player developed as he grew.

Playing year-round for Ku’ikahi Volleyball Club, he became a player who never left the court because of his deft technique in the back row. Nothing, though, raised the roof for HBA’s fans like a kill by "Fish."

The 6-foot-7, 190-pound three-time All-State selection became a key component of the Eagles’ three-peat Division II state champions. As a senior, he was so dominant that voters picked him ahead of top D-I athletes as the Star-Advertiser player of the year. He averaged 6.9 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .376.

Fisher’s constant, year-round work on the hardwood and the classroom transformed his game into perhaps the finest in at least two states.

Coaches from California high school powerhouses were in the islands during the recently completed season, and not one of them could think of a player back in the CIF who might be better than Fisher, who takes pride in his passing and defense.

Fisher will play for UCLA coach John Speraw, who was named the U.S. men’s head coach in March.

Kawe Johnson

Kahuku • Football, basketball, track and field

Beyond the skill set in multiple sports, Kawe Johnson has long known the satisfaction of possessing a champion’s mind-set.

On the football field, Johnson was a quarterback of sorts on the defensive side for the Red Raiders. His brainpower and physical gifts as a defensive back were two big reasons why Kahuku’s versatile defense thwarted potent offenses. Kahuku allowed opponents to complete 46 percent of their passes and to average just 1.5 yards per carry.

"He’s definitely a coach on the field and he’s a playmaker," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said.

When he wasn’t steering the Red Raiders defense, he caught 20 passes, averaging 22 yards per grab, with five touchdowns.

Kahuku won its second consecutive state title last fall largely because of a hungry, focused and mature group of players. Having Johnson, the Star-Advertiser defensive player of the year, play key roles in kick returning and as an occasional option quarterback were decisive, pivotal weapons for coach Reggie Torres and his staff.

Johnson was a two-time All-State pick in football, and also a two-time selection in basketball. He was the clutch shooter for Kahuku’s OIA Red championship hoops team as a junior, a point guard with a knack for hitting big shots. He was also one of the top defensive guards in the state.

Johnson, who will play football at New Mexico State, plans to major in education and return to Kahuku to teach in the school’s Hawaiian Language Immersion program.

Shaun Kagawa

Kamehameha-Hawaii • Football, basketball, tennis

Though he didn’t have ample opportunity to showcase his explosiveness and skills to Oahu football and basketball watchers, Shaun Kagawa did plenty enough to leave a lasting impression.

The 5-foot-10 athlete was an All-State first-team cornerback who was so physical and skilled — despite not playing football until high school — that he filled in superbly, when necessary, at linebacker and running back. That versatility was valuable to the Warriors when they won a key game at Honokaa with Kagawa at running back. He ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns, filling in for an injured teammate — remarkable numbers for a player whose offensive experience had been limited to wide receiver.

His ability to cover top receivers was elite, but not surprising given his unique defensive skills on the basketball court. On the hoops court, Kagawa was a two-time All-State guard, a slashing penetrator with a smooth pull-up jump shot. But his defensive work, honed over the years with former teammate Lanaki Apele, separated him from most backcourt players.

He was voted No. 3 in the Star-Advertiser boys basketball All-State Fab 15.

Kagawa, who was raised by tennis-coaching grandparents Richard and Shirley Kagawa, qualified for the state tennis championships as a doubles player as a junior and as a singles player as a senior.

He signed in March to play football for Army.

"It fits perfect," he said of the choice to select West Point over Hawaii and Utah.

He will play for West Point’s prep school team in his first year. He also hopes to try out for the prep school’s basketball team.

Carly Kan

Punahou • Volleyball, track and field

Off the court, she’s casual, occasionally bubbly.

On the court — and the track — Carly Kan is a stone-cold winner.

Kan’s prolific production on the volleyball court sparked Punahou to a second state championship in a row last fall. Her selection to the All-State team was her third in a row, and she was voted by coaches and media the Star-Advertiser player of the year.

Her best performance may have been on the biggest stage. Kan managed 17 kills and 12 digs in the state-title-match win over Kamehameha while contributing stellar back-row skills to the Buffanblu defense. At 5 feet 9, she was also one of the best blockers on the squad.

In the spring, Kan captured the state title in the triple jump. The year before, she was part of Punahou’s first-place 4×100 relay team at the state meet and placed fifth in the triple jump.

Kan, who has a 3.7 GPA and will play at Missouri next season, drew national honors in volleyball as a senior. She was named the Gatorade player of the year in Hawaii and is also a Volleyball Magazine/Mizuno All-America first-team selection.

"She worked hard between her sophomore and junior year to become physically stronger in order to endure the demands we were placing on her in our offensive schemes," Punahou coach Peter Balding said. "As a senior, she worked on the precision of her ball-handling. Carly was dominant in every facet of the game as a senior."

Alex Masaquel

‘Iolani • Basketball, softball

For one night, a week, then months on end, Alex Masaquel’s scintillating athletic career was on hold.

She broke her leg during an ‘Iolani basketball game in the 2011-12 season. A fractured fibula caused by an opposing player who had rolled into Masaquel under the basket. The Raiders’ gym was silent for minutes. But Masaquel responded with the same resilience and optimism she had been known for in her career. Now, the 5-foot-10 standout has completed her quest as a Star-Advertiser softball position player of the year. She excelled at first base defensively and exploded on opposing pitchers at the plate with a .524 average, seven home runs, 24 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

She had already made the All-State team as a sophomore first baseman, only to lose her junior season due to the injury.

"She didn’t play softball in the offseason. She didn’t touch a bat for 18 months and she didn’t miss a beat," coach Corey Okamura said. "If she had played (as a junior), I think more colleges would’ve recognized her talent. But basketball is her passion. I’m very proud of her about that, but in my opinion she could play Division I college softball."

On the basketball court, Masaquel was a three-time All-State Fab 15 selection, including a No. 2 vote as a senior, second only to Kaimuki’s Princess Lauvao. She rehabbed so well that she showed no obvious signs of lingering pain from the surgery that had a titanium alloy rod inserted into the lower leg.

Masaquel is heading to the College of William & Mary to continue playing basketball. The Indians do not have a softball program.

Dane Pestano

Kamehameha • Wrestling, judo

Dane Pestano had savored four state titles in his first three years of high school. All he wanted for his senior season was to share the experience.

Pestano repeated as a state wrestling champion and completed a four-year run of judo titles. In doing so, he helped Kamehameha capture team championships in both sports.

"I wanted our whole team to feel the feeling I had the year before," Pestano said. "It took more effort than just focusing on myself, because you have to have everyone on the same page and everyone working hard in practice."

Searching for an outlet for a self-described "rascal child," Pestano’s parents enrolled him in judo at age 5 and wrestling at 8. He learned humility and resilience in taking on older competitors and developed into a national-level performer.

In high school, Pestano reached the finals of the state wrestling championships his first two years. He gave up football to concentrate on wrestling after his sophomore year and broke through to win the 215-pound division in 2012 and again as a senior.

He also swept through the ILH and state judo meets each spring, claiming titles in the 220-pound weight class all four years.

He’s this year’s Hawaii recipient of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award, given to the state’s top wrestler, and was named an All-American by Wrestling USA magazine. Pestano drew a scholarship offer from Iowa State, one of the nation’s premier wrestling programs, and he’ll join the Cyclones in the fall.

Bree Rapoza

Kamehameha • Wrestling, judo

The top step of the medal podium became a familiar spot for Bree Rapoza over four years at Kamehameha.

In eight state championship meets, Rapoza claimed seven division titles, ending her high school career with three wrestling golds and four in judo.

She’ll move on to Missouri Baptist University leaving a legacy of excellence and discipline demonstrated as a three-year captain.

Rapoza began her high school wrestling career with a state title in the 108-pound weight class, then placed third at 114 as a sophomore. Her loss in the semifinals of the 2011 meet would be her last in state tournament competition, as she bounced back to win at 120 as a junior. She gave up a chance to defend her title by dropping down a weight class as a senior and claimed a third state title, this one at 117.

"That’s a classic example of being unselfish," said Kamehameha girls coach Bill Venenciano, a Molokai graduate and member of the 1989 Hall of Honor class, "because of the weight management and trying to put other girls in the lineup so that we would have a stronger, better team."

Rapoza made an impact beyond the islands in winning the cadet (16 and under) and junior (18 and under) national championships in Fargo, N.D., the summer prior to her junior year. Last year, she was named a first-team TheMat.com/ASICS Girls High School All-American and went on to place third in the national championships.

Renny Richmond

Seabury Hall • Swimming

Renny Richmond’s drive toward six state championships was paved by six years of two-hour round trips in the dark of morning.

Richmond’s training regimen included three double sessions scheduled into six days of practice per week. On those mornings, his days started at 3:45 a.m. to pack up for the trek with his parents from Haiku to Lahaina for a 5 a.m. practice. His parents would then drive him back to Makawao in time for classes at Seabury Hall followed by another round trip in the afternoon, with Renny doing his homework on the way back home.

"I would never be able to do what I’ve done without them," Richmond said of his parents.

The mileage on the road and the distance he covered in the pool paid off in his collection of gold medals and a scholarship to Arizona. Richmond owned the boys 100-yard butterfly in his four years, setting the state meet record in the event his first three years and finishing off the title sweep in February. His list of state championships also includes the 200 freestyle as a sophomore and the 50 free his junior year.

Richmond also excelled in junior national competition. He qualified for last summer’s U.S. Olympic Trials and is aiming for the 2016 Games in Rio.

"That’s always been my main goal," Richmond said. "(Last year’s Olympic Trials) really pushed me to work harder and focus on technique a lot more. Seeing these other guys out there and how good they are and the competition I’m going to be up against in a couple of months (at Arizona) pushed me to work harder."

Isaac Savaiinaea

Punahou • Football, track and field

Isaac Savaiinaea’s versatility and acumen provided Punahou’s coaching staff with varied options on how to deploy the multi-talented linebacker.

His performance gave Savaiinaea a multitude of choices in the recruiting process as well.

Rated the No. 2 linebacker in the country coming out of his junior year and regarded as the state’s top prospect heading toward signing day, Savaiinaea ultimately picked UCLA out of nearly three dozen scholarship offers.

Even with the adulation, Punahou coach Kale Ane marvelled at Savaiinaea’s ability to "be humble and respectful and to appreciate what he has but put it in perspective. I think his family has done a great job of keeping him grounded."

On the field, Savaiinaea’s size and speed were complemented by a knack for positioning himself to make plays. He played a featured role in Punahou’s back-to-back ILH championships and berths in the Division I state championship game in 2011 and 2012.

Savaiinaea led the team in tackles the past two years.

He was a two-time first-team All-State selection and was named the ILH defensive player of the year last fall.

He also competed as a thrower on the track and field team and qualified for the state championships in the discus and shot put each of the past three years. He made the finals in both events as a junior and senior and ended his high school career by placing second in the shot put and third in the discus at last month’s state meet.

Aofaga Wily

Kahuku • Football

He won’t talk a whole lot at times. Aofaga Wily was often too busy focusing on the task at hand, tuning out the pain.

At tailback in Kahuku’s smashmouth I formation offense, Wily exerted his will by force and finesse. He was a slender speedster as a sophomore, a converted linebacker. By his senior season, he was a thicker, powerful bruiser with breakaway speed.

The 6-foot 202-pounder capped his career with a second state championship crown, rushing for 1,744 yards and 27 touchdowns. Kahuku’s 12-0 season was classic, old-school football with Wily at the heart of nearly every battle in and through the trenches.

His career total of 4,025 yards boosted him past former Kahuku running back Mark Atuaia to the No. 2 spot, behind only ‘Iolani’s Joe Igber. Even a torn ankle ligament during his junior year– bone chips were removed during the eventual offseason surgical procedure — couldn’t stop him.

His senior-season highlights included a 41-carry, 190-yard, two-touchdown effort against Leilehua and a 26-carry, 188-yard, three-touchdown performance in the state championship game vs. Punahou.

"Faga is a disciplined runner. He runs where the play is meant to go. He’s willing to wait for his blocks and he gets the positive yardage," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "He understands he’ll get the 5 or 6 yards and whatever else after is a bonus. That’s what I like about Faga when I see him. I don’t like it when we’re their opponent, but as a football fan, I like it."