In the days leading up to the state meet, Hanalani’s Adam Harder analyzed his racing strategies and dissected every possibility that could occur.

Racing with a thought-out plan, Harder made all the right moves to win Saturday’s Honolulu Marathon/HHSAA State Championships at Central Oahu Regional Park. He finished the boys 5-kilometer race in 16 minutes, 50.85 seconds and became Hanalani’s first state champion in any sport.

“It’s unbelievable,” Harder said. “You think about what it might feel like in your head, but it doesn’t feel nearly as good as when you’re crossing that finish line.”

Harder took the lead less than a mile into the race and led a tight pack of 10 early on. That group whittled down to three by the second mile, with Maui’s Hunter Shields and Adam Hakola tucked right behind him.

Harder, who made small moves throughout the race to build separation, made a key surge with less than a mile remaining on a gradual downhill to shake off the competition.

“Everything was going through my mind each second,” said Harder, who finished the season undefeated against local competition. “Every little strategy helps me, knowing what people do to make it better and to make themselves better.”

Shields finished second in 16:59.36, Hakola was third in 17:09.08 and Damon Wakefield was fourth in 17:14.97 to help Maui win its first team title. The Sabers are the first public neighbor island school to claim the Division I title and the first neighbor island team since Hawaii Prep in 1995 to win the top division. Konawaena won the Division II team title in 2016.

“We usually stay together in the Maui races, so that’s what we tried to do here and it worked out well,” said Shields.

SEABURY HALL, PUNAHOU EXTEND STREAKS

Chloe Gangnath became the third straight Seabury Hall runner to win the girls race after finishing the 5K course in 19:20.73. Gangnath took to the front early in the race and gradually built a lead over the rest of the pack.

“I led a lot during MIL races, so I felt comfortable going out strong,” Gangnath said. “I think that helped me a lot.”

Seabury Hall’s Veronica Winham won back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017. Dakota Grossman was a four-time champion from 2010 to 2013.

“To keep the tradition going, I take a lot of pride in that and that helps me during practices,” Gangnath said. “It motivates me a lot to know people from your team have worked so hard.”

Jaden De Souza of Island School sprinted down the final stretch to finish second in 20:08.19. De Souza was 12th through the first mile and slowly worked her way up. Le Jardin’s Gianna Sbarbaro was third in 20:09.09 and Hawaii Baptist’s Kacie Kwan was fourth in 20:09.94.

“I was focused on myself and how I’d do,” De Souza said. “I was happy for everyone. So many girls were supportive of each other and I really like that.”

Punahou’s Kayla Almeida finished fifth in 20:24.88 and the Buffanblu’s scoring five finished in the top 12 to win the program’s seventh straight team title and 31st overall. Punahou totaled 15 points, followed by ‘Iolani with 50 and Kamehameha with 142.

“We definitely pull each other along and it’s how we train, too, since we train in a pack,” said Punahou’s Georgi Brady, who was 11th in 20:44.51. “When it comes to races, we’re always pulling each other. You know who you train with and you always try to stay with them.”

Hawaii Baptist won both Division II team titles, a repeat for the boys squad and first for the girls. HBA had four girls finish in the top 10.

“It’s great for them to see the work they put in over the summer, coming into the season, and all the effort they put in through the season, pay off in the end,” said Hawaii Baptist coach Aaron Kondo.