“We get to train hard for the next two weeks,” Kainoa Tanoai said. “We get to focus on our technique. Having chemistry is the key. Everyone pulls together and blends with each other. Today was a good feeling.”
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
Kealakehe senior Lorelei Nakagawa’s abundant happiness overwhelmed the disappointment of not making history at the Big Island Interscholastic Federation canoe paddling championships.
On a beautiful Saturday filled with sunshine and high intensity at Hilo Bay, the Waveriders wanted to narrate the record books, hoping to sweep the boys, girls and mixed half-mile races.
They came close, capturing two races — the boys and the girls — before falling to Hawaii Prep in the mixed, the final event of the day. The Ka Makani won the boys and mixed last year, and paddled with enthusiasm to defend their mixed title.
In canoe paddling’s 11-year history, no BIIF school has won all three events, invoking the Chicago Cubs’ motto: Wait ’til next year.
For consolation, at least the Waveriders and Ka Makani qualified all three crews for the state championships, which will be held Feb. 3 at Hilo Bay. The BIIF picked up an extra lane and the top four finishers earned state spots.
While Kealakehe didn’t make history, Ke Kula O Ehunuikaimalino, in its first BIIF sport, did in glorious fashion, placing fourth in the boys and mixed — with the boys crossing the flag with a half-broken paddle from the start of the race.
To the surprise of many, Parker finished third in the mixed, earning its first state appearance since 2008 when its boys qualified. At last week’s Kailua pier regatta, the Bulls mixed crew was 11th.
However, at the previous all-schools Hilo Bay regatta, Parker’s mixed crew took fourth, so the potential to paddle fast was always in the boat.
“It’s awesome and I was not really expecting it. The kids have come a long way,” Parker coach Mike Nearman said. “All the times were pretty close, No. 1, 2 and 3. It was a tight race, even No. 4. Last week, there was a debate so that took some of the top guys. But this is the week that counted.
“The kids have really good spirits. They back each other up and are really improving.”
Big wave
In the girls race, Kealakehe pulled off a dramatic come-from-behind victory, catching Honokaa about 20 yards from the finish-line flags. It was a winning spurt of 4 minutes, 16 seconds built on confidence and Nakagawa’s fast-stroke tempo.
“We didn’t panic. We stayed calm and did what we normally do in practice,” said the senior, a three-year starter. “Honokaa was ahead of us at the start. We caught them at the turn, and they had the lead down the stretch. But we picked it up and went all out.
“We stick together and have a good team bond. It’s always a positive vibe in the canoe and that’s what makes the canoe glide. We work together as one.”
The ‘Riders last won the BIIF girls title in 2002, the boys championship in 2006 and the mixed in 2008. That time span shows the difficulty in winning two BIIF titles in the same year, let alone three.
Kealakehe coach Mike Atwood is a tactician by heart, studying numbers to measure improvement, not just his crews but other teams as well. Coming in, he knew a sweep would be tough, even if everything went right.
“What you saw today was the competitiveness of all the crews. Nobody dominated. Every win was close,” he said. “There was no obvious best crew. The top four all had a chance. I’m really happy that RJ (Demello-Crampton) and Lorelei stroked their canoes to victory. And they’re happy.”
In the boys race, the Waveriders had a furious surge to edge the Ka Makani, 3:42.82-3:43.52, a difference of a few powerful final strokes.
Experience likely played a large part. Hoku Waahila, Malosi Correa, Jason Fowler and steersman Tyler Parish are all four-year senior starters.
“That helps build us as a team,” Waahila said. “We know what to do with each other. It helps us become a true family in the canoe.”
Fired-up
The Ka Makani’s close loss served as ample motivation for the final race. After failing to defend their boys title, they were determined to hang at least one BIIF banner in the school’s Castle Gym.
“We were so close in the boys race, that fired up everybody,” HPA coach Mesepa Tanoai said. “We had four seniors in that crew, too, Kainoa (Tanoai), Kawohi Schutte, Sydney Budde, and Hunter Ainslie. All of our teams improved their times, from the junior varsity to the varsity. Everybody got better and that’s great.”
And there’s still time to get better until the state championships.
“We get to train hard for the next two weeks,” Kainoa Tanoai said. “We get to focus on our technique. Having chemistry is the key. Everyone pulls together and blends with each other. Today was a good feeling.”