Harder, Hodge go 1-2 as Royals race at HPU Invitational

Girls 5th, Boys 3rd overall
The Junior Varsity and Varsity Cross-Country teams for Hanalani competed in a brand new race this past Saturday.
 
College team Hawaii Pacific University opened up their invitational to a high school race at Kahuku golf course. On this rainy, muggy day, the Royals shined.
 
Junior Jordan Pomeroy has led the girls team every weekend, and she has continued her ways, finishing 16th overall, covering the 5k in 21:55. It was Pomeroy’s third race under the 22 minute mark, and her fourth time finishing in the top 20. Freshman Kylie Castro finished in 23rd, good for 22:59. Junior Emma Toyama was the third Royal to finish in the top 30, crossing the line in 23:14, 28th overall. Sophomore Kylie Morisaki (48, 24:26), and Junior Andersen Matsusaka (67, 26:03) rounded out the top five. The Lady Royals finished the day 5th in team standings, with 130 points. Punahou won the meet in 34 points, led by Freshman Malia Dickhens, who won the race with a time of 19:44.
 
“Weather wise, today was probably the weirdest day”, said Head Coach Jeremy Honold. “It was raining, then it was sunny, then it rained, then it was sunny. Wind, no wind, you get the picture. But how our teams competed today, that’s what mattered. And we competed well.”
 
In the boys 5k, Junior Adam Harder once again won the race in convincing fashion, crossing the line in 16:51. With his fourth victory this season, Harder ties the school record for most individual wins in a single season (4, set by Ben Hodge in 2016). Harder is currently undefeated against Hawaii competition.
 
Not to be outdone, Sophomore Ben Hodge finished second overall with a time of 17:24. It was the first time Harder and Hodge went 1-2 in a race this season. Freshman Kevin Au was 26th in a time of 19:05. Junior ben Scully (37, 19:37), and Senior Corban Hodge (50, 20:05) rounded out the scoring team, good for 3rd overall with 93 points. Punahou won the team standings with 45 points.
 
“(Assistant Coach) Jorge really helped set up the runners for success, having run on this course when he was in college,” added Honold. “To have Jordan continue to be in the top 20, and have Adam and Ben go 1 & 2, this sets us up for championship month that is October. What I like is we are peaking at the right time.”
 
During their Fall Break, the royals will have the Punahou Invitational before they conclude their season at the ILH Championships.

Results for the meet can be found here