Hawaii Prep’s Taylor sprints to 2 victories

A champion never rests.

Hawaii Prep sophomore Emma Taylor, fresh off a state title in girls soccer, won two events at the Ralph Martinson/Henry Lee Invitational in the rain at Kamehameha on Saturday.

Taylor’s first title was no surprise, in the 100 hurdles. She is the reigning state champion in that event, and ran the course in 15.88 seconds on Saturday to beat Lindsey Combs of Iolani (16.11). As the only freshman in the state final last year, Taylor clocked in at 15.22.

"It was just a surprise being in the state championships at all," Taylor said. "And then winning it, I still can’t believe it. I was like I am a freshman, why am I even here?’"

She is on the early road to becoming the first girl to win the event four times since Zhane Santiago of Kahuku in 2008-2011. She said she hopes to stay in the event all four years if she can, and might add the long jump.

Shortly after taking the 100 hurdles yesterday, Taylor jumped in the blocks for the 100 meters and won that as well. With no obstacles to overcome other than a steady light rain, Taylor sped to a time of 13.11 seconds, beating Sacred Hearts senior Tiffany Atud’s 13.46.

Taylor also ran the first leg of the 4×400, trailing until the final 100 meters when she kicked it into high gear and handed the baton to her teammate near the lead. Ka Makani struggled to fourth place after that.

"Having people in front of me really pushes me to do better," Taylor said. "Because I am always like I want to get them,’ and so I just knew I had a little bit of energy left and I only had 100 meters left so I might as well kick it."

It was Hawaii Prep’s first meet of the season, and Ka Makani left 10 boys home because of injuries and a few weren’t ready to compete after their long run to a state championship in basketball. The state track and field championship returns to the Kamehameha campus on May 9. That is a lot of time for someone to catch her.

"There are talented athletes for all of these islands," Hawaii Prep coach Pat Lau said. "Every meet, anything can happen. It’s a race-by-race thing, but she is doing what she needs to do right now."

Multiple field winners included Kamuela Borden of Iolani in the shot put and the discus, and Kamehameha’s Kayson Smith Bejgrowicz in the long jump, high jump and triple jump.

Dylan Kane of Kamehameha took the 100- and 200-meter dashes, and teammate Kaeo Kruse won the 3,000 meters and mile. Punahou’s Teri Brady won the girls 1,500 and 3,000 meters.