KEAAU — There can be pitfalls and traps when trying to draw long-range conclusions from the Canefire Conditioner.
KEAAU — There can be pitfalls and traps when trying to draw long-range conclusions from the Canefire Conditioner.
For one, the preseason cross-country race is a one-of-a-kind on the BIIF calender in that it’s a two-person relay event. For another, it’s the sole race held at Christian Liberty, which is a long way, figuratively speaking, from the course at Kamehameha, site of this season’s league championships.
Also, it should be noted Honokaa’s runners didn’t compete last Saturday, so two-time champion Sophia Cash was missing from the girls field, and Konawaena was among the other schools not at the event.
Those caveats aside, there were some results posted that could turn into season-long themes to watch for:
HPA on top
Ka Makani tandems took the top spot in both 6-mile relays, with Ilan Naibryf and Javan Perez finishing ahead of a host of Hilo and Waiakea runners in the boys race in 33 minutes, 6 seconds.
On paper, the boys field appears wide-open this season with the departure of the defending champion, Konawaena’s Cody Ranfranz.
As a freshman in 2016, Perez finished just out of second place at BIIFs, while Naibryf is a senior who was ninth in the finals.
Hilo’s Steven Chung is the top returning finisher from BIIFs.
HPA juniors Emi Higgins and Zoe Ganley scored a comfortable victory in the girls race (41:19), and each figures to consistently be among the top finishers this year.
“They were very impressive,” Waiakea co-coach Mary Jane Tominaga said.
The regular season starts Saturday at Hawaii Prep, and no matter how the results play out leading up to the postseason, Cash likely will remain the presumptive favorite considering she’s spent the past two seasons hanging back only to strike at BIIFs.
Another runner to watch out for that wasn’t running Saturday is Konawaena’s Josiah Vallez, a senior who is coming off a top-10 finish at the HHSAA championships.
“He’s running great,” Konawaena coach Patrick Bradley said.
Hilo, Waiakea boast depth
The Vikings and Warriors each claimed four of the top 10 tandems on both sides, with Waiakea winning the boys team race, thanks in large part to Eric Cabais-Fernandez and Adrian Larkspur (33:14), who took second, and third-place finishers Seneca Helfrich and Gabriel Low (34:23).
“(They) have been pushing the pace in practice,” Waiakea co-coach Lance Tominaga said. “We’re happy with the depth that we’re seeing and to have that many kids place.”
The Tominagas inherit a boys program that has won consecutive league titles.
“On any given day, anybody can stand out,” Mary Jane Tominaga said.
Led by Venus Rodin and Devon Paulson in second (41:53), the Hilo girls claimed four of the top seven spots to edge Waiakea. Sam Marrack and Cloud Rodin were fourth (42:42).
“We have a lot of returning athletes, but all out are athletes are really mentally tough,” Hilo assistant Noe McMahon said. “We’re kind of bringing that working-hard attitude.”
Lions roar
Tucked in among a host of Waiakea and Hilo finishers were Makua Lani’s Tia Lurbiecki and Haile Nottage in third (42:32).
In 2016 as a freshman, Lurbiecki was a contender from fall to spring, finishing third behind Cash at the BIIF cross-country championships, and then third and second behind her in the league finals of the 1,500- and 3,000- meter runs, respectively.
“She’s exceptional,” first-year Makua Lani coach Dan Moreno said. “She possesses everything to be a contender.”
While Lurbiecki is pivotal to Moreno’s short-term plan for the program, he also has a long-term plan of starting a 1,000-mile club at the school, giving runners a goal to meet between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Besides the runners, Moreno was the most active person at Christian Liberty, hurrying to different portions of the course to keep tabs on his runners.
“It’s always nice to have your coach run to certain critical areas,” he said. “I love the course. This was very well run.”
Saturday
Girls
1. Hawaii Prep 41:19 Emi Higgins; Zoe Ganley
2. Hilo 41:53 Devon Paulson; Venus Rodin
3. Makua Lani 42:32 Tia Lurbiecki; Haile Nottage
4. Hilo 42:42 Sam Marrack; Cloud Rodin
5. Waiakea 43:49 JoryAnne Cabalse; Ella Johnson
6. Hilo 44:26 Alexia Palafox, Teijah Rosas
7. Hilo 44:32 Keiko Mills; Gloria Medieros
8. Waiakea 44:38 Kacie Tagawa; Kahala Erskine
9. Waiakea 45:03 Violet Hart; Gaayatri Godbole
10. Waiakea 45:06 Evyn Prine; Macey Soares
Boys
1. Hawaii Prep 33:06 Ilan Naibryf; Javan Perez
2.Waiakea 33:14 Eric Cabais-Fernandez; Adrian Larkspur
3. Waiakea 34:23 Seneca Helfrich; Gabriel Low
4. Hilo 34:32 Ka’ala Dietch; Sam Gibson
5. Hilo 34:39 Steven Chung; John Marrack
6. Hilo 36:01 Christain Iyo; Elisha Watkins
7. Waiakea 36:11 Deylan Okinaka; Elijah Carigon
8. KSH 36:33 David Erskine; Trey Tina
9. Waiakea 36:46 Joshua Ho; Josh Ebesugawa
10. Hilo 37:05 Kovee Rivera; Seth Wilson