KEAAU – Most eyes at Paiea Stadium were on the track. When spectators weren’t watching the races, the jumping pits were in full view on the near side of the infield, with the pole vault and high jump going off
KEAAU – Most eyes at Paiea Stadium were on the track. When spectators weren’t watching the races, the jumping pits were in full view on the near side of the infield, with the pole vault and high jump going off on opposite ends.
And then there were the throwers, who were tucked away performing largely by their lonesome in relative anonymity outside the stadium.
Lest anyone forget their dedication or importance, Hilo’s Kaycee Nathaniel provided another reminder Saturday. The senior made as much noise as anybody drawing cheers on the track when she shattered the 10-year-old Kamehameha stadium record with a toss of 38 feet, 5 inches in the shot put, just an inch off top throw in the state this season (heading into Saturday).
The effort, which easily topped the previous Paiea mark of 36-09.5 set by Kamehameha’s Chante Ching in 2006, didn’t take Vikings coach Bill McMahon by surprise.
“She’s going really well this year,” McMahon said. “She’s really strong, and she works really hard.
“I’m sure in her mind right she’s thinking, hey, I can compete for a state title.”
Nathaniel leads a deep, talented corp of Hilo throwers, who combined to take nine of the 12 scoring spots in the shot put and discus Saturday.
McMahon lists the learning curve for the throws behind only the pole vault and hurdles.
“I don’t think that they pride themselves on being all by themselves, but throwers definitely have their own culture,” he said.
At Hilo, it’s a winning one. In 2013, it’s girls throwers dominated at the BIIF finals, carrying the Vikings to the team title.
“We won’t win anything without our throwers,” McMahon said. “In terms of depth, I think we’re ahead of where we were a few years ago, but there are a number of strong throwers around the island, and we didn’t have that competition then.”
There is more parity in the discus. Kealakehe senior Nika Paogfie-Buyten increased her 2016 BIIF-best Saturday in the discus with a toss of 115-07, the second-best throw in the state (heading into Saturday). Kamehameha sophomore Taylor Sullivan is a threat in both events when she’s not busy playing with the Warriors softball team.
In terms of the shot put, the Hilo girls can throw with anybody in the state. The Vikings’ Kayleen Funaki (36-04.75) and Kamalani Alves (35-04.50) each reached distances that rank in the top 10 in the Hawaii, knocking the previous throws of teammates Mele Vaka and Cortnie Pacyao just outside the top 10. Molina Vaka, Ahsaki Spikes and Maletina Holika rank in the top 30 as well.
“The thing that drives our throwers are the limited number of state spots,” McMahon said. “They can’t all go, and that provides great competition in practice.”
On the boys side, Hilo’s David Pakele ranks first the BIIF in both throws. He won the discus Saturday and finished fourth in the sho put behind Konawaena’s Torin Tuppein.
Waiakea twins
In performance terms, the Warriors’ Louie Ondo and Saya Yabe looked like identical twins Saturday as they raced around the track in sweeping the 800, 1,500 and 3,000.
They made it look easy, but it’s not, Yabe said, shortly after finishing her third victory, the 3,000.
“It’s like death,” she said of the triple. “I want to make all my coaches and team happy and be able to score points.”
At practice, Yabe runs in the first heat along with Ondo and the Warriors’ other top male runners.
“We’re like brother, super close,” she said of her relationship with Ondo.
Ondo’s 4:12.69 in the 1,500 was his best time in the event this season – he’s the BIIF leader in all three races –and while he’s a decorated BIIF champion in cross-country and track and field, Yabe is still trying to break through.
After finishing runner-up behind Kealakehe’s Keili Dorn in the 3,000 at BIIFs last season, she entered the league cross-country championships in the fall as the presumptive favorite but was surprised by Honokaa’s Sophia Cash.
“She knocked me off my feet,” Yabe said. “It was a wakeup call.”
This season, she ranks second behind Hawaii Prep’s Savannah Cochran in the 800 and 1,500, and she’s tops in the 3,000, her favorite.
“I feel like have to pace myself and have a chance to get into a rhythm.”
Other highlights
Hilo’s Lukas Kuipers swept the dashes, setting a school-record by finishing the 200 in 22.51. His 11.15 in the 100 also ranks first in the BIIF this season.
• Hawaii Prep’s Emma Taylor lowered her state-best time in winning the 100 hurdles (14.96).
• Konawaena’s Hauoli Akau won the 400 – it was his first try this season in an event the he’s the defending champion – and he claimed the long jump and triple. He ranks first in the BIIF in both after reaching 20-08 in the long jump.
• Konawaena’s Reyson Ching cleared 6 feet in the high jump, tops on the island this season.
• Hawaii Prep’s Kaui Taylor once again equaled the stadium-record in the high jump, reaching 5-2.
• The other double winners were Kealakehe’s Nicole Cristobal (100, triple jump), Konawaena’s Leina Ann Takizawa (200, 400) and Keaau hurdler Damion Scandrick.
