Manley rewarded at Pa‘ani Challenge

Molokai’s Candell Manley remembers wrestling as a youngster, hating it and saying she wouldn’t compete in high school.

Manley, now in her senior year with the Farmers, is quite glad she stuck it out.

Manley won the 168-pound weight division and was named one of two most outstanding wrestlers during the Pa‘ani Challenge on Tuesday at Punahou.

The other outstanding wrestler was Roosevelt sophomore Macy Higa.

“When I was little I used to cry at every match and tell my parents I hated wrestling,” said Manley, who started competing at age 6. “I always said I wouldn’t wrestle in high school, then I got to high school and I really developed this love for wrestling. It teaches so many life lessons and everything about wrestling reflects who I am as a person.”

She was quite surprised to be honored after the tournament.

“When they called my name, I was so like, I just couldn’t believe it,” Manley said. “I’ve been wrestling since I was really little and I haven’t always been the best, you know what I mean. It’s been a struggle. There are a lot of good girls here.”

Higa, a sophomore, won the 112-pound title.

“Doing as well as I did today helped show my coaches I really want to wrestle and I really have the heart to do as well as I want to,” Higa said.

The Pa‘ani Challenge is billed as the largest girls wrestling tournament in the nation. On Tuesday, there were 33 teams from throughout the state, including 12 from the Neighbor Islands, and nearly 400 participants. Team standings were not recorded and the tournament also featured novice divisions.

On Monday, there was a clinic with Olympic wrestler and Roosevelt graduate Carissa Chun, a college fair and motivational speakers.

“It’s preseason. A lot of girls aren’t wrestling in this tournament,” said Todd Hayase, coach of defending state champion Lahainaluna. “The Pa‘ani Challenge is more than championships or who won. What Punahou is doing in this Pa‘ani Challenge, it’s just an incredible thing for the girls and wrestling program in Hawaii.”

Roosevelt, Lahainaluna and Waianae each had three division winners Tuesday.

The Rough Riders’ victories came in three of the four lowest weight divisions: Manjam Tamang (97), Xiaolin Mai (102) and Higa.

“We’ve always had top girls in the lower weight classes. The upper weight classes are just basically in their first year,” said Rough Riders coach Ted Kaneda.

Winning for the Lunas were Iverly Navarro (107), Kaile Kon (117) and Daisha Kahoalii-Kalilikane (132).

Kahoalii-Kalilikane, a freshman, and Kahuku’s Viviana Barcina had the most exciting among the 14 finals.

Barcina led 3-2 in the final seconds of the match, but Kahoalii-Kalilikane scored a reversal near the boundary for a 4-3 victory.

“I was losing by one point and I really wanted to win, so for me to be able to win I needed to pull off that switch,” Kahoalii-Kalilikane said.

The Seariders’ Tehani Carlson (122), Anuhea Hamilton (127) and Mildred Keopuhiwa (225) all won by pin.

Paani Challenge

97 pounds—1: Manjam Tamang, Roos (D: 5-2). 2: Bailey Hoshino, Pun. 3: Ira Navarro, Lah (Fall 1:31). 4: Amanda Higa, Mon. 5: Sami Saribay, Lah (Fall :31). 6: Adriana Sanchez, Lan.

102—1: Xiaolin Mai, Roos (D: 5-4). 2: Tiare Ikei, Kais. 3: Alana Vivas, Kah (Fall 3:24). 4: Elexus Keophilavanah-Augustin – Waip. 5: Kaisa Ishikawa, Kau.

107—1: Iverly Navarro, Lah (TF: 16-0). 2: Jessica Sawai, Pun. 3: Brooke Kawamura, KSK (Fall :49). 4: Asialand Whiting, Cam. 5: Mikayla Abe, PC (TF: 19-3). 6: Hayley Evans, Moan.

112—1: Macy Higa, Roos (D: 8-3). 2: Taryn Ichimura, Pun. 3: Alexis Encinas, Lah (D: 3-0). 4: Charolotte Taylor, Keak. 5: Sydnee Aiwohi, Wain (Fall :49). 6: Jordyn Kahananui, Kau.

117—1: Kaile Kron, Lah (D: 4-0). 2: Yuting He, Roos. 3: Alexis Ford, PC (Fall 1:53). 4: Robyn Yim, IOL. 5: Kaua Albino Kaupu, KSH (FFT). 6: Allie Mahoe, Kap.

122—1: Tehani Carlson, Wain (Fall 2:31). 2: Jaelynn Miner, Nan. 3: Megan Mena, Roos (FFT). 4: Anika Pascua, Lah. 5: Kristina Mau, Lah (MD: 12-4). 6: Isabelle Tayo, Keak.

127—1: Anuhea Hamilton, Wain (Fall 1:41). 2: Annalyn Milner, Nan. 3: Laynee Pasion, Stf (FFT). 4: Faith Joy Okubo, Moan. 5: Kasey Pule, KSH (Fall 2:56). 6: Fabine Palipti, Cam.

132—1: Daisha Kahoalii-Kalilikane, Lah (D: 4-3). 2: Viviana Barcina, Kah. 3: Jenna Awana, Wain (Fall 2:54). 4: Natanya Kang, PC. 5: Hilawe Manoi, Keak (FFT). 6. Tayler Pelegrino-Hayase, Lah.

138—1: Asialyn Fernandes, PC (Fall :56). 2: Sierra (Sanoe) Kalama, Kau. 3: Deedra Fabella, KK. 4: N/A. 5: Kelsienna Kaseli, Waip.

145—1: Angela Peralta, Rad (D: 5-0). 2: Alexandria Simon, Mol. 3: Tara Labanon, Dam (D: 2-0). 4: Jacqueline Fuamatu, PC. 5: Cassandra Tongi, Kah (FFT). 6: Alysha Reinhardt, Bal.

155—1: Kayla Araki, KSH (Fall 1:59). 2: Kehlani Corbett, Leil. 3: Karina Arroyo-Haro, Lah (FFT). 4: Ester Torres-Umi, Mol. 5: Taj Vierra, KSK (Fall 2:30). 6: Shea Charles. Roos.

168—1: Cendell Manley, Mol (D: 4-0). 2: Jenny Fuamatu, PC. 3: Luana Kanongata, Kah (D: 8-7). 4: Tyzandria “Makamae” Wells, Nan. 5: Shivahn Akau, Kap (Fall :37). 6: Katelin Maarsingh, Hon.

184—1: Callan Medeiros, KSK (Fall: 22). 2: Michelle Tanuvasa, PC. 3: Alayandina Bushe, Kap (Fall 4:26). 4: Mariko English, Mol. 5: Krystal Kalima, Maui.

225—1: Mildred Keopuhiwa, Wain (Fall 3:45). 2: Sabrina Alo, Kah. 3: Aul’i Young, Stf (D: 4-2). 4: Hannah Miyamoto, Lah. 5: Kaylah Samia, Roos (FFT). 6: Tristen Borden, Bal.