KidNews
Fitness champion: Kapa'a teen wins youth competition

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

Sharlene Carillo Age: 15. Hometown: Kapa'a, Kaua'i. Family: Parents, Alvin and Loke Sasil; siblings, Chazton Sasil, 7, and Dazmon Sasil, 4. Position: Sophomore at Kapa'a High School. Accomplishment: Carillo was among 48 students from across the country and from U.S. military bases around the world who competed on March 31 in Fort Lauderdale at the Fitness Authority National Championships. Carillo won in her division of 14- to 15-year-old girls. Quote: "It's really good to be fit and, you know, not just stay home and watch TV."

Not being a stereotypical teeny-bopper has paid off. Thanks to her athleticism, Carillo won the Fitness Authority National Championships in her division, 14- to 15-year-old girls, on March 31 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Carillo, a sophomore at Kapa'a High School on Kaua'i, was among 48 students from across the country and from U.S. military bases around the world who competed at the national finals of the Fitness Authority program, a youth fitness program co-created by the Sports Authority and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

"In the beginning, I was nervous," said Carillo, who competed in 10 events, which included sit-ups, push-ups, medicine ball toss, standing vertical jump and 100-yard dash. "But in the end, I was surprised (I won). It was fun."

Besides the title, Carillo also received a trophy and a $125 gift certificate from the Sports Authority.

Becoming a champion

Carillo, a member of the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai'i-Kapa'a Clubhouse, said she decided to compete upon the recommendation of clubhouse athletic director Gary Maguire.

"I knew Sharlene from coaching her ... and I know that she's a tough competitor," Maguire said. "So I approached her and her father to see if she ... was up to that challenge, especially because she was already focused on fitness."

The Fitness Authority initiative began in January with a 12-week physical fitness program at over 1,000 Boys & Girls Clubs around the world.

Carillo was among more then 100,000 youths who participated in the 12-week program, which was followed by local and regional competitions that culminated at the national finals in Florida.

Maguire said that when he found out she won at the finals, he wasn't surprised.

"I always had a lot of confidence in her," he said. "We're definitely very proud of her."

Carillo, a member of her school's basketball, cross-country, track and volleyball teams, credits her athleticism to her stepfather, Alvin Sasil, who is an assistant coach for Kapa'a High's varsity football team.

"My dad trains me, (and) he's very athletic himself," Carillo said. "He taught me everything that I know now."

Sasil traveled to Fort Lauderdale to watch Carillo compete in the finals. "Just being there was an honor, just to watch her," Sasil said.

The lesson Carillo said she learned from her experience with the Fitness Authority program: "It's really good to be healthy."

An exceptional teen

While at the finals, Carillo also had the opportunity to meet with Hawai'i's Miss America, Angela Baraquio, who was there to motivate the competitors and discuss the merits of physical fitness.

"I was excited," Carillo said about meeting Baraquio. "She just wanted to congratulate me ... (and she) said, 'Keep up the good work.' "

Before traveling to Florida for the finals, Carillo also went to Phoenix for the regional competition.

But this champ isn't all brawn and no brains. In fact, Carillo excels academically and can prove it with her 4.0 grade average. Carillo said her favorite subjects in school are math and computers.

Carillo is an animal lover, which explains her desire to become a zoologist. She also likes to listen to music, including reggae and pop tunes, and she occasionally watches television, especially Nickelodeon cartoons, which she said she watches with her two younger brothers.

Carillo added that she likes to sing — "but not in public," she immediately said with a laugh.