2010 HHSAA State Championships – Boys Finals Coverage

Attended the 2nd day of the 2010 HHSAA State Wrestling Championships at the Blaisdell on February 28, 2010.  Coverage includes pics of Boys championship matches.

Notes/Observations:

Tournament organizers made the decision to expedite the matches and finish as early as possible to allow the neighbor island teams and families time to catch flights back home.  This meant that as soon as a weight class was completed, the awards were handed out on the side as other weight class matches continued.

Finals matches were held on 2 back-to-back mats simultaneously.  I would have liked to have taken video of selected matches, but this format made it impossible at the risk of not being able to cover a particular final.

Being close to the action on the arena floor, I got to witness the joy and agony of the finals’ competitors.  There were many tears shed in victory and defeat.  My congratulations go out to the champions and my heart goes out to those whose ultimate goal was not realized.  You are all champions in my book for competing in the toughest sport there is.

Congratulations to Punahou for winning the team title!  And congratulations to all wrestlers and teams for competing and making this a great season!

And a big mahalo goes out to all the referees who patrolled the mats this season and made sure that our wrestlers’ safety comes first!

108

Bradley Suda (McKinley) vs Cassidy Oshiro (Pac-5)

Oshiro won by technical fall 22-7.  A highly anticipated final between the top two seeds.  Some eyebrows were raised when Bradley was given the top seed over Cassidy since there were those who felt that Bradley came on strong late while Cassidy was strong from the start of the season.  Cassidy had an added incentive since Bradley beat him in last season’s state consolation round to finish one place higher than Cassidy, who finished 5th.  Cassidy, a sophomore, has also won the first individual title in Maryknoll history!  Quite an accomplishment and something to be proud of.

Congratulations to Cassidy on your championship and to Bradley for a successful season!

114

Jordan Ng (Punahou) vs Ryan Nakagawa (Kaiser)

Ng won by decision 4-1.  A highly anticipated rematch between the top two seeds.  These two met earlier at an open tournament at Kamehameha with Jordan edging out Ryan 2-1.  Jordan was the runner-up at 114 at last year’s states after losing a close match to Truong Vu of Iolani.  There were a lot of supporters pulling for Jordan to capture the title in his senior year since many view him as one of the most humble, respectful, and personable young men around.  Ryan has been very tough from the beginning of the season and will return next season even hungrier.

Congratulations to Jordan on your championship and to Ryan for a successful season!

120

David Terao (Pac-5) vs Nainoa Tompkins (Mililani)

Terao won by major decision 11-0.  An expected final of the top two seeds.  David finished 4th in the state last season and has been very dominant this whole season.  He seems to be able to counter everything thrown at him.  His style may be unorthodox but it has been successful.  Nainoa, the OIA champion, is a very physical, relentless wrestler who overcame a tough weight class in the OIA this season.

Congratulations to David on your championship and to Nainoa for a successful season!

125

Todd Murakawa (Punahou) vs George Chihara (Lahainaluna)

Murakawa won by decision 10-4.  Great matchup between the 1st and 3rd seeds and also a rematch as these two paired off early in the season at Officials with Todd winning by major decision.  George really came on throughout the season as he is a big part of the Lahainaluna football team and had to work his way back into wrestling shape.  Todd has been so strong from the start of the season and his ground game is strong and relentless.  Todd, a sophomore, will shoot for a repeat next season.

Congratulations to Todd on your championship and to George for a successful season!

130

Shayden Terukina (KS-Kapalama) vs Jon-Ross Okuda (Aiea)

Terukina won by pin in the 1st period.  A rematch of the top two seeds after Shayden won by decision over Jon-Ross in an exhibition match at the Iolani Invitational.  Jon-Ross has dominated all season in the OIA, but Shayden has been wrestling on another level compared to his competition this season.  He came back hungrier after an OT loss to Reid Oshiro of Punahou in last season’s 130 final.  Shayden, a junior, captured his first state title in his freshman year at 112.

Congratulations to Shayden on your championship and to Jon-Ross for a successful season!

135

Jacob Luning-Hoshino (KS-Kapalama) vs Jimmy Romualdo (Konawaena)

Luning-Hoshino won by default.  Great battle between the top two seeds after Jimmy defeated Bryan Peralta in the semis, putting a stop to a 5th meeting between Jacob and Bryan that was tied at 2-2.  Jimmy’s knee was in bad shape and he had to default in the 3rd period.  This is Jacob’s 2nd state title after taking the title last season at the same weight.  Jimmy has dominated the BIIF this season after finishing in 4th place at states at 125 last season.

Congratulations to Jacob on your championship and to Jimmy for a successful season!

140

Galen McCleary (Punahou) vs Rodney Howard (Radford)

McCleary won by pin in the 1st period.  A highly anticipated matchup between the top two seeds.  Rodney, a transfer from Virginia, dropped from 145 to set up a potential matchup with another Virginia transfer in Galen.  One is shorter in stature and muscular, while the other is ridiculously tall and lanky for 140.  Add to that two differing styles and it set up to be a classic.  Wrestling for the first time against each other, each wrestler was cautious in the beginning, but once the feel out process was complete, Galen caught Rodney in a cradle move that he could not get out of.  Galen, a senior, will be attending Stanford next.

Congratulations to Galen on your championship and to Rodney for a successful season!

145

Ian Akamine (Iolani) vs Isaiah Fonoti (KS-Kapalama)

Akamine won by decision 5-3.  Isaiah, the 6th seed, worked his way through the brackets to set up a rematch showdown with the top seed Ian.  These two have met twice recently in the ILH in equally close contests each won by Ian.  This is Ian’s second state championship after capturing the title last season at 140.  Isaiah had a runner-up finish last season at 145.

Congratulations to Ian on your championship and to Isaiah for a successful season!

152

Holden Mowat (Lahainaluna) vs Zachary Hernandez (Punahou)

Mowat won by decision 5-2.  Great battle between the 1st and 3rd seeds after Zack upset 2nd seed Robby Ostovich in the semis.  Zack wrestled most of the season at 160 and after dropping to 152, proved to be too strong for many of his opponents.  Holden dominated the MIL this season after finishing 2nd in the state at 152 last season.

Congratulations to Holden on your championship and to Zack for a successful season!

160

Kameona Hokoana (KS-Kapalama) vs Raynald Cooper III (Pearl City)

Cooper won by decision 8-6.  A highly anticipated showdown between the top two seeds and two returning state champions in what was probably the toughest weight class in recent memory.  Kameona was the returning champion at 160 while Ray captured the title last season at 152.  Kameona is very unassuming in his stature and build but is a technically sound wrestler, while Ray is a beast of a young man who is very physical and relentless.  Earlier, at the Iolani Invitational, Ray moved up to meet Kameona at 171.  Ray led Kameona 8-1 before Kameona caught him and secured the pin.  This was an awesome battle that was pulled out by Ray, a junior, who will be seeking a third title next season.

Congratulations to Ray on your championship and to Kameona for a successful season!

171

Patrick Sheehan (Punahou) vs Punahele Soriano (Kahuku)

Soriano won by decision 5-3.  In one of the most surprising upsets of the tournament, the 2nd seed Punahele toppled the top seed and returning champion Patrick.  Patrick has been dominant the entire season, even besting Kameona Hokoana at 171.  Punahele and Patrick met earlier this season at an open tournament at Kamehameha with Patrick controlling the match throughout and winning 7-0.  That first match may have helped Punahele make adjustments to wrestle Patrick again.  Patrick was leading 3-2 into the 3rd period and appeared to be heading to a victory.  Then, Punahele scored an escape to tie the score and with 10 seconds left, secured a takedown to win it 5-3.  A great battle that made the fans cheer for both competitors.

Congratulations to Punahele on your championship and to Patrick for a successful season!

189

Tyler Hayashi (Roosevelt) vs Tyson Tynanes-Perez (Campbell)

Tyananes-Perez won by 5-4.  Another classic battle between the 1st and 6th seeds.  Tyler pulled off the upset of Tyson at the OIA championships, and Tyson, the defending state champion at 189, was determined to reclaim his title.  Tyson has been battling a shoulder injury and found a way to overcome the top seed.  Tyler has really come on strong at 189 after finishing 5th in the state last season at 171.

Congratulations to Tyson on your championship and to Tyler for a successful season!

215

Marcus Finau (Damien) vs Paihi Pestano (KS-Kapalama)

Finau won by decision 8-3.  Paihi, the 10th seed, pulled off major upsets of Teanu Rickard and Kolu Buck to reach the finals against the top seed Marcus.  Marcus, 6th in the state last season at 215 and a senior, brought home the first individual title in the history of Damien!  And congratulations should go out to the Damien wrestling program for a much improved and successful season!  Paihi, a freshman, will have to be considered the favorite next season and he is also a national caliber judoka.

Congratulations to Marcus on your championship and to Paihi for a successful season!

285

Jheryl Makaiau (Kahuku) vs Keith Chargulaf-Tuileapa (Farrington)

Makaiau won in OT 3-2.  A surprise final with Keith upsetting defending champion Sani Fuimaono in the semifinal.  Jheryl, the 2nd seed, also won a close battle with Keith at the OIA championships.  Keith was called for a hand locking penalty which gave the point and victory to Jheryl.

Congratulations to Jheryl on your championship and to Keith for a successful season!

Note: love this picture… classic!