Round 1 went to Kamehameha’s Kayla Araki, who won via points in December at Punahou’s Paani Challenge.
Round 2 went to Keaau’s Ivory Ayers, who turned the tables on Araki last Saturday at Kealakehe, earning a second-round pin.
The third meeting between the BIIF’s two most decorated wrestlers – and judoka, for that matter – could come as early as Saturday at Hilo High, and fans might want to catch the seniors going up against each other on the wrestling mat while they can before they go their separate ways.
Ayers represents the past and the present at the 168-pound division, but Araki isn’t here to stay. She’s working her weight down, according to Warriors’ coach Keith Laeha, and will try to earn a fourth BIIF title at 155.
Ayers has similar lofty aspirations, both short-team and long-term.
“Our goal is to get her a scholarship so she can further her education,” Cougars coach Keith Fernandez said. “But the other goal is state gold.
“(Round 2) was just the natural progression. She didn’t have much of a preseason, but we’re slowly getting ahead and planning to peak.”
Ayers watched her sister, Ebony, come tantalizingly close to winning a state wrestling title as a senior last February, losing 15-14 in the final. Then, Fernandez said, Ivory Ayers all but won an HHSAA judo title in May but had to settle for silver.
Looking to add a third BIIF wrestling title and a fourth in judo, Ayers got her 2017 off to a good start last Saturday with three pins.
“Her strength is one of her biggest strengths,” Fernandez said. “She has a solid base and a real knowledge of her technique and what she can and can’t do.
“We’ve been trying to stay away from some of the judo moves with the head and arms.”
Ayers, fourth and sixth at state wrestling the past two seasons, is Keaau’s only returning league champion, but Fernandez is bullish on his team’s potential.
Mikele Pokaka’a was runner-up at 117 last season and Waihulakapu Kahookaulana took fourth at 127, and among the contenders on the boys side are Kawika Andrade (184), Maiaku Kahookaulana (170) and Titus Estocado (145).
Fernandez anticipates filling 12 of 14 boy division and 10 on the girls side.
“We should compete with Kamehameha and Kealakehe,” he said. “This is my second year, and the program is about to blow up. I see a BIIF (team) title coming.”
