When Jamiel Ishaque picked up a paddle at age 13 and took up outrigger canoe paddling, neither the student-athlete nor his coaches could fathom what the experience would lead to.

Fast forward nearly five years, and Ishaque has established himself as one of Radford High School’s top paddlers while taking on one of the sport’s most demanding roles. The steersman not only keeps the canoe on course in the water, but has embraced a leadership position and has the program humming along with Oahu Interscholastic Association titles and state championship berths within reach.

"When he came to us, he was a super shy boy; you couldn’t get him to open up," recalled Jen Romano, who serves as co-head coach for the Radford paddling program along with Gino Dayton, and also coached Ishaque in his first foray in paddling with the Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club. "Slowly, as he got used to the club and the people around him, he started to welcome that leadership role."

After initially giving paddling a try following encouragement by his older brother Ali, who also paddled for Radford and now helps coach the current crop of paddlers, Ishaque eventually became a captain of the Rams’ JV squad as a sophomore. For the past two years, the senior has led the varsity boys and mixed (three boys and three girls) crews while also earning an influential role within the entire 77-person program.

"He’s taken an active role with the whole team, and helps us with some of the decisions when we ask for his opinion," Romano said. "He’s a really strong asset for the team. When we’re not around, they know what we as coaches want, and we don’t have to reiterate it a thousand times. He’s like an enforcer.

"He’s the glue that helps keep the team together. Without him there, I don’t think the crews would be as good as they are."

While paddling has occupied a great deal of Ishaque’s time and energy, the 17-year-old from Salt Lake makes it a priority to succeed in the classroom as well. The National Honor Society member and student government participant carries a 4.14 grade-point average.

The math whiz plans on pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Hawaii while also paddling for Keola O Ke Kai during the summer regatta and fall long distance seasons.

"I want to become an engineer when I grow up; I really like building and construction," Ishaque said. "To me, there’s just no place like home. And being able to continue paddling is definitely a plus."

In what he hopes will serve as a life-changing experience in the twilight of his high school days, Ishaque will travel to Washington, D.C., in a few weeks as part of a small contingent from Radford selected to take part in the "Close Up" program, which allows prep students from around the nation the opportunity to interact with peers and discuss the workings of the American political system. The students will also have opportunities to take in the sights and sounds of the nation’s capital while meeting key Washington insiders.

His hard work and success have also led to an impending scheduling conflict — although Ishaque gladly welcomes the opportunity to deal with it. If Radford qualifies for the state championship regatta on Feb. 1, the same date on which Ishaque is scheduled to depart for Washington, the student-athlete plans on competing before making haste to the airport.

"If we make it to states, and I really hope we will, then I’m actually going to race, and leave for Washington in the afternoon," said Ishaque with a chuckle. "I’m looking forward to seeing things outside of Hawaii. I’ve lived here all my life and I just want to see what it’s like to work together and interact with others from around the nation."

The top six finishers in Saturday’s OIA championship regatta at Keehi Lagoon, an event that matches competitors from the league’s East and West divisions that raced separately in five regular-season regattas, will earn berths in the HHSAA state championships. Kalaheo is regarded as the favorite in the boys, girls and mixed events, but with so much at stake, the competition should be heated as crews jockey for state seeding.

Ishaque said he and his fellow paddlers will refer to the team’s go-to motivational phrase, "Before strength there is weakness, before victory there is struggle," as they prepare for the monumental event.

"Because of the close bonds and feeling of ohana that Jen and Gino have created, that’s what drives us forward," said Ishaque, who will steer Radford’s boys and mixed crews on Saturday. "Paddling has changed my life. It’s taught me how to be a better leader, and a better person. Not only has it made me stronger physically, but stronger mentally as well. As a team captain, I like to be one of the people that the team looks up to."