Slam list grows by 3
Mid-Pacific's Joshua Terao threw down Moanalua's Kelson Onigama in the 108-pound division last night.
Punahou's Chrissy Chow controlled Kamehameha's Kianna Borengasser yesterday.
The journey took years. The final match lasted only 14 seconds.
Mid-Pacific senior David Terao capped an impressive high school judo career by taking his fourth individual state championship in four years with a stunningly fast ippon throw on Moanalua’s Kelson Onigama yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
After taking a customary bow, Terao raised both fists and grinned widely at his cheering supporters in the stands.
"It feels amazing. I’ve dreamed of this for as long as I’ve been doing judo, ever since I knew there was a high school state championship," said Terao, who won the 121-pound class. "I dreamed of going 4-for-4, and I’m just so happy that it came true."
On the girls side, Punahou’s Chrissy Chow (129) and McKinley’s Brittany Balanay (109) also accomplished the career grand slam to highlight an eventful day of competition ruled by the incumbents.
The defending team champions in both boys (Moanalua) and girls (Punahou) fended off the opposition to keep their crowns.
Na Menehune had just one individual champion — Justin Fujiwara in the 178 class — but having three other runner-up finishers was enough to keep Moanalua on top. Its 59 points trumped Mililani’s 48 and Kamehameha’s 45. Scott Pak’s team should contend in future years after losing just two seniors.
"Everybody has to do their part," Pak said. "Everybody, even through the third-, fifth-place matches. It went very well today. It was (tense), it was a close match."
The Punahou girls (58 points) narrowly outpointed Pearl City (56) and third-place McKinley (53) for their third straight crown. The Buffanblu led by a single point entering the finals and pulled it out by having three judoka — sisters Chrissy and Mindy Chow and Tiara Kaye — win their divisions.
Buffanblu coach Greg Chow got his daughters fired up by vehemently objecting to officiating in Chrissy’s match against Kamehameha’s Kianna Borengasser. Chow was tossed from ringside, but Chrissy got her ippon quickly from there and Mindy followed suit against Kahuku’s Uilani Freitas-Smith in the 139 class. Their dad and coach laughed it off afterward.
"I’m happy for the kids. We have a few girls who are just exceptional players and they really stand out among the rest," Greg Chow said with a chuckle. "I’m fortunate to have several of those on the girls team."
The exclusive list of four-time champs since state competition started in 2003 nearly doubled yesterday. Where there were four — Farrington’s Taylor Ibera, McKinley’s Lianne Tomishima, Pearl City’s Christian Pavo and Moanalua’s Brady LaFortune — there became seven.
McKinley’s Balanay burst into tears after landing an ippon on Punahou’s Nicole Taniguchi a minute into her match and joining that short list.
"At first I wanted to quit, because usually I wouldn’t stay with a sport. But for some reason, judo, I stayed with it through everything. This (four-peating) was my biggest goal," Balanay said. "It means everything because I actually accomplished one of my dreams."
Chrissy Chow, meanwhile, quietly reflected on her career as she now looks to college life without competition.
"I guess it was a good ending, but kind of sad, too," the Punahou star said. "I’m happy I threw her."
Mindy Chow carries the family torch next year and can match her sister’s four-time feat, but the junior wasn’t wrapped up in it.
"I’m happy for her, but I’m more, I think, winning the team is a bigger deal," Mindy said. "I’m happier about that."
Terao’s younger brother, Joshua, won the lightest boys class (108) as a freshman and plans to follow David’s path.
"He set (the bar) high, but I need to break it now," Joshua Terao said.
David Terao plans to train for next year’s judo senior nationals but will keep a keen eye on his brother’s progress.
"I like to refer to myself as the prototype slash first draft, kind of person. My brother’s the final draft. All of the pressure’s on him," David said with a laugh.
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Yesterday
At Stan Sheriff Center
Boys
Individual results
108 pounds: 1. Joshua Terao, MPI (Ippon 2:34); 2. Kelson Oniguma, Moan; 3. Chasen Yuu, Roos (Ippon 2:23); 4. Jarrett Pagdilao, Maui; 5. Landon Arimoto, Mil (Ippon); 6. Justin Raymond, Kona.
114 pounds: 1. Brendan Chang, Mryk (Ippon 2:24); 2. Cody Fernandez, Roos; 3. Alec Ikei, Mil (Ippon 1:37); 4. Jacob Deguzman-Arakaki, KS; 5. Chad Patulingan, Moan (Ippon 4:23); 6. Bradley Suda, McK.
121 pounds: 1. David Terao, MPI (Ippon 0:14); 2. Brant Tsuda, Moan; 3. Zach Kido, Camp (Ippon 1:09); 4. Ryan Oda, Pun; 5. Logan Yamamoto, Iol (Ippon 1:03); 6. Skye Yonamine, KS.
132 pounds: 1. Tyler Kono, Kapo (Ippon 0:20); 2. Jon Kitamura, Moan; 3. Tyler Omori, Mil (Official’s Decision); 4. Cody Uyejo, Mil; 5. Korey Higa, Dam (Ippon 3:08); 6. Travis Kamioka, Aiea.
145 pounds: 1. Tyler Yonemori, Waik (Ippon 0:13); 2. Jonah Hoshino, KS; 3. Evan Uehara, Pun (Yuko); 4. Todd Murakawa; 5. Jordan Enos, Hilo (Ippon 0:02); 6. Brandon Lum, Iol.
161 pounds: 1. Jordan Ogata, Mil (Ippon 5:00); 2. Chaeden Grace-Reyes, Farr; 3. Isaiah Kanakanui, Hilo (Ippon 2:26); 4. Spencer Kiehm, Iol; 5. Royce Mori, Dam (forfeit).
178 pounds: 1. Justin Fujiwara, Moan (Yuko); 2. Randy Ishitani, Roos; 3. LJ Remillard, Pun (Yuko); 4. Tevin Miyahara, Lei; 5. Dan Grocki, Pun (Ippon 4:18); 6. Brentyn Lee, Moan.
198 pounds: 1. Myer Alokoa, Kaln (Ippon 0:50); 2. James Lloyd, Kaim; 3. Dayton Furuta, Mil (Ippon 1:26); 4. Matthew Lee, Moan; 5. Matt Noguchi, Iol (Ippon 3:42); 6. Christian Constantino, StL.
220 pounds: 1. Dane Paihi Pestano, KS (Ippon 3:17); 2. Jheryl Makaiau, Kah; 3. Kyle Tsubota, Luth (Official’s Decision); 4. Demetrus Roby, PC; 5. Weston Akamine, Roos (Ippon 2:10); 6. Reis Mckee, Bald.
275 pounds: 1. Lukela Los Banos, Mryk (Han Soku Make); 2. Jaryn Villegas, Lei; 3. Simeon Vierra, Kah (Ippon 4:53); 4. Jesse Kaluiokalani, KS; 5. Robert Lateselu, Kah (Ippon); Joey Choi, Camp.
Team results
1. Moanalua, 59; 2. Mililani, 48; 3. Kamehameha, 45; 4. Roosevelt, 38; T-5. Maryknoll, Mid-Pacific, 32; 7. Punahou, 25; 8. Kahuku, 21; 9. ‘Iolani, 20; 10. Leilehua, 19; T-11. Kalani, Kapolei, Waiakea, 16; 14. Hilo, 14; T-15. Campbell, Farrington, Kaimuki, 12; 18. Damien, 10; 19. Lutheran, 9; T-20. Maui, Pearl City, 7; T-22. Aiea, Baldwin, Konawaena, McKinley, Saint Louis, 3.
Girls
Individual results
98 pounds: 1. Kaelyn Canyete, Kapo (Ippon 0:40); 2. Marina Higa, McK; 3. Megan Aina, KS-HI (Yuko); 4. Mary Jane Garcia, Waip; 5. Kristyn Takai, Moan (Ippon 3:54); 6. Thai Ha Sloan, Pun.
103 pounds: 1. Marissa Rogers, McK (Yuko); 2. Angela Enos, Roos; 3. Kimmi Lum, UHS (Wazari); 4. Breanne Takaesu, PC; 5. Lauren Dias, Mil (Ippon 3:04); 6. Alexis Raia, Moan.
109 pounds: 1. Brittany Balanay, McK (Ippon 1:01); 2. Nicole Taniguchi, Pun; 3. Diane Mikuni, Kapo (Wazari); 4. Shana Dilliner, KS; 5. Uy-Di Nancy Le, Kaln (Ippon 4:11); 6. Alanda Nguyen, Farr.
115 pounds: 1. Bree Rapoza, KS (Ippon 4:07); 2. Amber Hakkei-Nagaoka, Cast; 3. Ayame Higa, McK (Ippon); 4. Alyssa Miya, Lei; 5. Ilisha Badua, Kapo (Ippon 2:51); 6. Christine Rioca, Waip.
122 pounds: 1. Marissa Fukunaga, Roos (Ippon 0:31); 2. Taylor Castro, PC; 3. Brittney Shinsato, Kaln (Yuko); 4. Kaela Shiigi, Iol; 5. Carmela Go, Farr (Forfeit); 6. Tiare Mashima, KS.
129 pounds: 1. Chrissy Chow, Pun (Ippon 2:46); 2. Kianna Borengasser, KS; 3. Kasie Kashimoto, Iol; 4. Phairin Hicks, Mil; 5. Jasmine Brown, Moan (Han Soku Make); 6. April Rilles, Farr.
139 pounds: 1. Mindy Chow, Pun (Ippon 3:56); 2. Uilani Freitas-Smith, Kah; 3. Rachel Factora, Camp (Ippon 0:18); 4. Tara Sriragarajan, Iol; 5. Kanani Silva, Waik (Ippon 2:08); 6. Lahi Kanakanui, Hilo.
154 pounds: 1. Tiara Kaye, Pun (Ippon 4:28); 2. Megan Alexander, KKekau; 3. Mylinda Jefferson, PC (Ippon 0:11); 4. Brandi Lopez, Kapo; 5. Nissi Flores, KS-HI (Ippon 4:21); 6. Nicolina Pascua, UHS.
172 pounds: 1. Makana Borden, Kais (Ippon 3:32); 2. Kacie Awa, PC; 3. Aimee Shiraki, Kona (Wazari); 4. Brianna Jeffries, Roos; 5. Joo Yeon Kang, Moan (Ippon 2:38); 6. Sydney Ibarra, Bald.
220 pounds: 1. Sanoe Spencer, PC (Ippon 4:15); 2. Libby Petrie, Kah; 3. Patrice Yamane, Cast (Ippon 1:34); 4. Angela Kim, UHS; 5. Drea Cologong, Farr (Ippon 3:41); 6. Kristin Miyahira-Dumara, KS-Maui.
Team results
1. Punahou, 58; 2. Pearl City, 56; 3. McKinley, 53; 4. Kamehameha, 38; 5. Kapolei, 37; 6. Roosevelt, 35; 7. Kahuku, 24; 8. ‘Iolani, 23; 9. Castle, 21; 10. University, 19; 11. Moanalua, 18; T-12. Farrington, Kaiser, 16. T-14. Kalani, Kamehameha-Hawaii, 14. T-16. King Kekaulike, Mililani, 12; 18. Waipahu; T-19. Campbell, Konawaena, 9. 21. Leilehua, 7. 22. Waiakea, 5; T-23. Baldwin, Hilo, Kamehameha-Maui, 3.
