The final score read Keaau’s Ka’imi Aiwohi 6, Hilo’s High’s Lyle Silva 5, in overtime.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to state it otherwise: Everyone won.
With BIIF wrestling matches being contested simultaneously on three different mats Saturday at Hilo High, it was be easy for one, or even two contests, to get lost in the shuffle.
But not an entertaining 182-pound bout between Silva and Aiwohi, whose first career matchup spawned a crowd-pleasing throw down in which controlled aggression took its course. In the overtime they charged at each other, as if ready to fight.
“We got mad because we were both getting tired and we didn’t want to lose,” Aiwohi said “I was just trying to push the pace.”
When time ran out, the wrestlers went to their respective sides to thunderous applause.
There are more experienced wrestlers in the BIIF – Aiwohi is in his second season, and Silva is a sophomore who entered with just four days of practice following football season – and others are better pound for pound. But the matchup was just what the league needed, both wrestlers’ coached said.
“That was a state-championship atmosphere, everyone was going off,” Keaau coach Keith Fernandez said, “it was really good. I liked it, not just because my wrestler was involved, but it gave the crowd a show. We want to get the community to support (wrestling) more. The kids appreciate it.”
“Everyone was up and applauding,” Hilo coach Ryan Taniguchi said. “This is what we need to grow the sport.”
Aiwohi’s peak conditioning is representative of the Cougars’ philosophy as a whole.
“Keaau can’t always be the most technical, but we can be in the best shape,” Fernandez said.
Aiwohi improved to 4-1 on the season, the loss coming Dec. 7 at Keaau to Waiakea’s Jared Antonio, who is perhaps the most experienced wrestler in a division that appears wide-open after defending champion Thaze Gomes of Kamehameha graduated.
Last season, Aiwohi let a senior teammate wrestle at the BIIF championships so he could try to earn a state berth. But this is Aiwohi’s senior season, so the focus is on him.
“I think I could have been BIIF champion, but I beat (my teammate) and then dropped out,” Aiwohi said. “I felt like giving it to him. I think my technical wrestling has improved a lot.”
Fernandez has 58 wrestlers out, including Broncos Labra, a 132-pounder who he lauded for his improvement.
Keaau gained a key transfer in Kaleinani Makuaole, who finished second in the girls division at the HHSAA championships at 155 for Waianae last season.
“It’s nice to have her here, and she brought here sister and younger brother,” Fernandez said.
In a matchup of BIIF champions, Hilo’s Hana Kahookaulana (152 champ last season) and Kamehameha’s Kamalu Anahu (145) battled it out in a 160 match that went the distance. Kahookaulana prevailed 3-1.
Presiding over the meet was Taniguchi, who started things off on the girls side, where the Vikings are loaded with returning BIIF champions: Lilliana Campbell (97), Kitana Lowery (138), Tia Leao (145) and Leona Toledo (225). BIIF runner-up Ashley Lavarias (112) is back as well, while defending champion Taylia Lee (102) hasn’t decided on whether or not she’s wrestling during he senior season, Taniguchi said.
Despite all the firepower last season, Kealakehe won the girls title in a championship sweep.
”I know (the girls) have something on their shoulder,” Taniguchi said. “They want to finish what they started.”