KEA‘AU — The BIIF Track and Field Championship was held on Friday and Saturday, and several athletes recorded results which placed them among the state’s top ranks.
This bodes well heading into the HHSAA State Championships — which will take place Friday and Saturday in Kahului.
Girls
Waiakea HS junior pole vaulter Analissa Paresa cleared a height of 11’6, setting a new BIIF Championship record and tying the all-time BIIF record — which was set by Monique Apuakehau, also from Waiakea, at the 2015 HHSAA State Championships.
This record also put her at the No.2 rank in the state, behind Kamehameha Schools – Kapalama’s Tatum Moku — who recorded a 13’7 jump.
Paresa has been vaulting for just under two years — and her coach, Sherman Viernes, said that he immediately recognized her talent.
“I knew she was good from day one,” he said. “She’s a coaches dream. She has a gymnastics background, so that helps.”
Prior to the BIIF Championship, Paresa’s personal record was 11 feet flat — which she set earlier this month.
At the BIIF meet, word had spread about her prowess, and a large crowd gathered to see if she could set a new record. Despite having so many eyes on her, Paresa said that she wasn’t too nervous.
“I was feeling pretty positive going into this meet,” she said. “I was just hoping and praying for the best. I just keep a strong head.”
Viernes said that instead, he’s the one who gets nervous.
Paresa is one of a handful of Big Island girls who are among the best in the state.
Hilo HS sophomore Kekaihulali Halpern is ranked No.1 in the state for the 800 meter run, recording a time of 2:18.25. She is also ranked No.2 in the 1500 meter run at 4:51.90, and No.2 in the 3000 meter run at 10:42.470. Her sister, Kekaimalino, is not far behind — ranking No.15 for the 800 meters, No.23 for the 1500 meters and No.13 in the 3000 meters.
Hawai‘i Prep’s Caroline Betlach is ahead of Kekaimalino by one tenth of a second in the 800, ranking at No.14 with a time of 2:29.42 — also ranking No.8 in the 400 meter dash.
HPA’s Elaina Head is top-ten in three jumping events — tied for No.5 in high jump (5’2), tied for No.6 in triple jump (34’10) and No.9 in long jump (16’7.25).
Konawaena HS freshman Violet Schaut holds top-15 ranks in three events — No.15 in the 100 meter dash (12.81 sec), No.7 in the 200 meter dash (26.06 sec) and one rank ahead of Betlach in the 400 meters at 59.80 seconds. Schaut is also a part of her school’s relay team, which is ranked No.7 in the 4×100 and No.8 in the 4×400.
Konwaena’s Braxton and Zoe Kimitete are another family who notched multiple top-30 rankings. Braxton is No.10 in the 300 meter hurdles (48.56) and No.14 in the 100 meter hurdles (16.96 sec). Zoe ranks No.7 in discus (105’9) and is tied for No.25 (30’8) in shot put with Radford HS’ Zion Smithbey.
Waiakea’s Mia Enos, who won gold medal at the BIIF Championship for shot put, is No.19 in the state with a throw of 32’8.5.
Boys
Konawaena senior Torrance Sata-Ellis is No.2 in the state for triple jump, measuring 43’11 — behind No.1 Josiah Fetui of Saint Louis HS at 44’4.
Kealakehe HS senior Levi Childers, who recently placed No.6 overall in the 2023 Lavaman Triathlon, ranks No.3 in the HHSAA for the 3000 meter run (9:19.11) and No.16 for the 1500 meter run (4:18.60). His teammate, Cameron Cornforth, is No.19 in the 1500 meter with a time of 4:18.97. In the 3000 meters, Waiakea’s Shane Tominaga and Austin Mohica rank No.5 (9:25.60) and No.9 (9:33.13), respectively.
Waiakea also has a top-three male pole vaulter — Shelbey Cabais-Fernandez, who ranks No.3 (13’6).
Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i senior Tobey Lau is the No.5 discus thrower in the state at 145’7, taking gold medal at the BIIF Championship. Lau is No.27 in shot put at 42’7.5.
The BIIF’s top male hurdle runner, Pahoa HS senior Malachi Wilson, ranks No.10 in both the 110 meter hurdles (15.86) and the 300 meter hurdles (41.46). His teammate, Kaumuali‘i Gancinia, is ranked No.23 in the 300 meter hurdles — clocking in at 42.88 seconds.