Intermediate Shines as XC Race at Kamehameha Schools

The Hanalani Cross-Country team resumed their ILH competitions this past Saturday, this time at Kamehameha Schools.

Intermediate girls started off the day with a two mile race at 8:00AM. In a field of 104 athletes and 5 teams, the girls finished 5^th. Kylie Castro led the way for the girls, finishing in 7^th with a time of 13:24. Railey Okamura (49, 15:58), Saige Kurihara (54, 16:11), Kalea Kalahele (71, 17:22), and Maya Brantley (83, 18:26) competed for the Royals. Each girl ran a lifetime best mark.

Intermediate boys competed next, with an impressive 5^th place finish (out of 8). Kevin Au was the top boys finisher, coming in 4^th with a time of 11:31. Christian Yagin (36, 13:27), Austin Oguma (38, 13:28), Dane Fujiwara (74, 14:35), and Kyler Nakayama (75, 14:36) rounded out the scoring team. There were 160 runners in all.

“Every intermediate athlete ran a lifetime best today,” said Jeremy Honold, Head Coach. “It is always great to see every runner run their fastest time, which we hope will bring us some momentum.”

Switching over to the 5 Kilometer run for High School, a trio of Hanalani boys competed in the Junior Varsity race. Sophomore Nicholas Laurion led the way for the JV boys, coming in a season best time of 21:17, good for 46^th overall. Sophomore Ariel Mercado ran a lifetime best of 25:33, for 125^th place. Junior Patrick Mahimer rounded out the trio, finishing in 27:45, good for 140^th overall.

The girls’ team competed all together in Varsity. In a small race of 47 runners, Junior Jordan Pomeroy notched herself another top 15 finish, covering the 5k course in 22:43. Not to be outdone, Junior Emma Toyama got her first Varsity top 20 finish in her career, finishing in a season best time of 23:06. Kylie Morisaki (28, 23:52), Kalyn Kershner (30, 24:01), and Andersen Matsusaka (38, 25:47) rounded out the girls scoring team. They finished 4^th out of 4 teams.

Varsity boys concluded the day, with Junior Adam Harder once again winning the Boys Race. Harder finished the 5k in 16:23. He is also currently undefeated against Hawaii competition. Ben Hodge (10, 17:42), Ben Scully (43, 19:14), Corban Hodge (62, 19:54), and Logan Castro (66, 20:16) rounded out the scoring team, good for a 5^th place finish out of 8 teams.

“Varsity did not do as well as we hoped,” said Honold. “We took the first mile out a little harder than we should have, which left us all a little gassed. It was a great lesson, but I am glad we still were able to compete well this week.”

Next week the Royals will face the ILH at Kapolei District Park.