Posted on: Monday, March 26, 2001

Isle wrestlers win nationals

Advertiser Staff

Two college wrestlers from Hawai'i won national championships and a local high-school sophomore finished second yesterday at the U.S. Girls Wrestling Association finals in Lake Orion, Mich.

Jill Remeticado, a 1999 'Iolani graduate who pioneered girls wrestling in Hawai'i, won her second straight 130-pound U.S. title for Pacific (Ore.) University. Katie Kunimoto (Castle '99) of Cumberland (Ky.) College won the 113-pound crown.

In the high-school division, Kahuku's Elizabeth "Kapua" Torres was runner-up in the 111-pound class. She injured her ankle in the final but finished and lost 14-11 to Laura Felix of California.

Remeticado defeated Michelle Domagas of California, 6-1, in the final after pinning two earlier opponents. Kunimoto, who won her opening-round bout on a 34-second pin, beat Monica Sanchez of California.

Hawai'i's 12-member high school team finished fourth of 33 states, behind Michigan, California and Ohio. There were 190 prep entries.