KEAAU – The plan, Kamehameha coach Manly Kanoa thought back in March, was to utilize Saydee Aganus as much as possible, work in promising freshman Chenoa Frederick to a thin roster and build depth during the season by recruiting kids to track and field.
That, Kanoa figured, was the key to winning a championship.
“But nobody came out,” Kanoa said. “We had to ride our horses.”
No need for strength in numbers when you have a couple of thoroughbreds.
No challenge was too strong for Aganus or Frederick to handle at Saturday’s BIIF track and field championships, and they took the Warriors on a winning ride at Keaau High, each pocketing three individual golds and a silver along with a relay gold.
“We planned this for a long time, and each girl did their part,” the unassuming Aganus said.
The junior took Emma Taylor’s place as the new queen of BIIF track, and though Aganus has a challenger to her throne, that’s just the way she likes it.
The past two years, Hawaii Prep’s Taylor, a seven-time HHSAA champion, credited Aganus with giving her the competition she needed in the hurdles.
On Saturday, Aganus got the edge she needed from Frederick in the 100-meter dash, racing to victory in a meet-record 12.29 seconds.
“I have to thank Chenoa,” Aganus said, “she was the reason that I got that.
“I needed someone and she really pushed me.”
The two hurdling races were almost anticlimactic, save for the fact that Aganus claimed the 100 with another personal-best of 14.34. That, just like her time in the 100 dash, ranks No. 1 in the state this year heading into the HHSAA championships, which return to Keaau High next weekend. She’s No. 2 in the 300 hurdles.
Frederick took second in the 100 dash, but never again, looking almost effortless as she cruised to gold in the 200 and 400.
“When I’m gone,” Aganus said, “she is going to do wonderful things.
“She is going to better than I was. I’ll be the first person to call it.”
Frederick’s most impressive feat might have come in winning the triple jump, an event she had to split her time with as she balanced a relay and the 400.
Kealakehe’s Nicole Cristobal, who won the long jump Friday as Aganus took silver, already had the lead when she cleared 37-10.00 to beat her own meet record. On Frederick’s last attempt, she went 37-10.50 for gold.
“I don’t think she knows she is supposed to be tired,” Kanoa said.
Aganus and Frederick each were denied a chance at a sixth medal because of a botched handoff in the 400 relay, but they returned to spur a winning 1,600 relay effort along with Bionce Vincent and Joey-Ann Cootey, who added silver in the 400 and bronze in the 200.
“I don’t think anyone wanted to say anything,” Aganus said of the drop, “but we were pretty confident going into the 1,600.”
Viks hold their own
The throwers did in fact do the heavy lifting for Hilo, scoring 52 of the Vikings’ 70 points, which was good enough for third, thanks to sweep of both podiums in the shot put and discus.
After finishing second in Friday’s shot put, freshman Leona Toledo won the discus, with Mele Vaka second and Molini Vaka third.
“It meant a lot,” Toledo said, “not only did I get up there on the podium, but I got to share it with my teammates.”
Mele Vaka won the shot put Friday – Kayleen Funaki took bronze – but was disappointed even as she took silver a day later.
“My head wasn’t in it,” she said. “Next week, I need to perfect my mistakes.”
Cashing in again
Honokaa sophomore Sophia Cash repeated as champion in the 3,000 after earlier winning gold in the 1,500.
Also the two-time BIIF cross-country champion, Cash says she has no designs on introducing the 800 to her track program, but she’s likes sprinting and wouldn’t mind trying hurdling.
“It would be really cool to be great at the hurdles,” she said, “but I run at them and I don’t jump. I overthink.”
That’s obviously not a problem for her in the 3,000, which she won by almost eight seconds.
“I really like the girls I run with,” she said. “They are very supportive. We bond and it helps take the load off.”
• Kamehameha’s 107 points outdistanced Waiakea, which featured more depth.
Kayla Kahauolopua won the high jump for Waiakea, with teammate Taira Javar second, and Ki Serrao anchored a winning effort in the 400 relay.
• Madison Pratt won the only gold for Keaau, capturing the 800. Makua Lani freshman Tia Lurbiecki was second in the 800 and 3,000. Kealakehe’s Mystery Freitas was second behind Aganus in both hurdling events.
