By MATT GERHART
By MATT GERHART
Tribune-Herald sports writer
When it mattered most last year, Kellie Iwasaki was right on target.
This year, she is the target.
The Waiakea senior shrugs off any perceived bull’s-eye with a smile, however. She’s got just the attitude to help defend her Hawaii High School Athletic Association air riflery title: that same calm demeanor that helped her become the first Neighbor Island female winner in the first place.
“I do think it’s going to be more difficult now that if feels all eyes are (on me),” she said. “At the same time, I’ll continue to try my best. I’d like to win, but if I don’t I won’t be upset about it.
“Whatever happens, happens.”
Iwasaki’s easy-going approach is perfect for her sport — a mental battle where shooters have no way to stop their opponents nor are they able to track others’ progress until the final shot is taken.
It helps to stay cool and collected.
“Kellie’s focused. One of the more focused kids we have,” first-year coach Mel Kawahara said. “She’s the most calm person we have, confidence-wise.”
It helps to be disciplined.
“Just thinking in the moment, not really thinking of the past,” said junior Abraham Sylvester, another top Waiakea shooter. “Like if I messed up or anything, I try to forget it. It’s good to keep a clear mind. I try to do that in everything I do.”
It also helps to be driven and self-motivated. Whatever it is, Waiakea is, well, always loaded.
Long after the Warriors’ other teams have left their sprawling campus for the day, shooters arrive at the school gym four times a week for evening practices.
“With volleyball, football and cheerleading practices going on, it’s too noisy,” Kawahara said. “We come in and close up the place.”
Last to practice, but certainly not least in terms of production.
Iwasaki’s breakout victory last October in Honolulu — she improved her score by 33 points after finishing behind two teammates at the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships — was only the latest conquest for Waiakea’s juggernaut.
Its boys and girls teams have won every BIIF title since the league started sponsoring the sport in the late 1990s, and the boys team has churned out two individual state champs and grabbed its first HHSAA crown in 2010.
“One of the strengths of the programs is that kids come back and help,” Kawahara said. “That and the parents are what make us good. Super parents provide support financially with planning and travel.
“The kids know the technical stuff and are high-end learners, I just oversee things.”
Kawahara has a first-hand perspective of the important role parents play. He had to dole out upwards of $1,000 on equipment for his son Eric, a 2012 graduate and the 2010 BIIF champ.
Waiakea’s cycle of success was easy to spot at a recent practice as the Warriors tuned up for today’s preseason meet at Kamehameha.
The coach takes a backseat as recent graduates, including reigning league champions Brandon Lau and Megan Kimura, run Waiakea’s large contingent of shooters through drills.
“That’s the heart of this team,” Iwasaki said. “They feel like this team is an important team. A lot of (graduates) come back to help. That’s how we continue our legacy and what keeps us going.”
About the only thing missing from that legacy is a girls team title, though the Lady Warriors posted their best finish, runner-up behind Punahou, last year.
Iwasaki will be joined this season by BIIF runner-up Karise Kuroda, a junior, as well as fellow state qualifiers Karyl-Lin Yamakawa and Lindsey Kimura and state alternate Crystal Rances.
“I really feel like all the shooters are trying to step up to the next level and that’s pushing me now,” Iwasaki said.
The boys team has more holes to fill after losing four shooters who won the state title two years ago. Sylvester, however, bested them all at states last season, finishing fourth as an individual.
This year he’s a good bet to crack a rotation that will also include Tyler Aburamen, ninth at states lasts season, and state alternate Cody Yamada.
They’ll be pushed all season in practice by 15 teammates also trying to earn spots.
“We always have to give ourselves a challenge,” Sylvester said. “We challenge each other all the time, just friendly competition.”
Kealakehe’s Matt Silva also could provide a stiff challenge coming off a season in which he finished third at BIIFs, and the Waveriders will also feature Jordan Busque as well.
Konawaena’s Cameron Gomes was 10th at BIIFs, and coach Lydell Libre signaled out Michael Raiano as another Wildcat to watch. On the girls side, Tori Koyanagi and Destiny Aquino are Kona’s top two shooters heading into the season.
Hilo’s Caryn Okamoto and St. Joseph’s Jade Thomas are prime candidates to push the Waiakea girls. Okamoto was fifth at BIIFs last season and 10th at states, and Thomas was a state alternate.
Raeoi Espejo will represent Laupahoehoe again after finishing just outside the top 10 at BIIFs.
Kamehameha’s Koai‘a Gym will be the focal point during the postseason, hosting the league championships Oct. 27 then the HHSAA tournament three days later. With Christian Liberty competing in air riflery this season, the BIIF should gain more spots at states.
Kealapua Bernabe and Jessie Coney are two Warriors who figure to have a chance to represent the home team well.
“Kealapua’s outstanding and progressing daily,” coach George Van Gieson said.
Schedule
Today: Preseason meet at Kamehameha, 10 a.m.
Aug. 29: Kona at Kealakehe, 2 p.m.
Sept. 1: East schools at Kamehameha, 10 a.m.
Sept. 5: Kealakehe at Kona, 2 p.m.
Sept. 8: East schools at Waiakea, 10 a.m.
Sept. 15: All schools at Kona, 10 a.m.
Sept. 26: Kona at Kealakehe, 2 p.m.
Sept. 29: East schools at Waiakea, 10 a.m.
Oct. 6: All schools at Kamehameha, 10 a.m.
Oct. 13: All schools at Waiakea, 10 a.m.
Oct. 27: BIIF championships, at Kam, 10 a.m.
Oct. 30: State tournament, at Kam, TBA
East schools: Hilo, Waiakea, Kamehameha, Ka‘u, C-Liberty, St. Joseph, Laupahoehoe