Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
Big Island Interscholastic Federation boys champion Waiakea produced on the opening day of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association wrestling meet.
The Warriors’ William Spain, Alan Ikehara and Kayed Rodrigues each won two matches Friday at Blaisdell Center in Honolulu to pull through to the state semifinals. In the 195-pound division, Keaau’s Haaheo Chan and Hawaii Prep’s Russell Laros also remained in championship contention.
None of the island’s girls wrestlers remained in the winners’ bracket.
Spain (120), Ikehara (152) and Rodrigues (182) picked up where they left off after winning their weight classes Feb. 15 at BIIFs.
Rodrigues was one of the most dominant wrestlers in his division Friday, winning two comfortable decisions. He started off by beating Punahou’s Cody Martinson 15-4, then he handled Campbell’s James Sullivan 15-3 in the quarterfinals.
Spain and Ikehara also each won a pair of decisions. In Spain’s opening match, he beat Kealakehe’s Brad Transfiguracion 9-2.
At BIIFs, Chan edged Laros 1-0 for the championship. They’re both one victory away from a rematch in the state final.
Of the five Big Island semifinalists, only Chan was able to score a pin. He’s looking to improve on his fourth-place finish at states last year.