Iolani's Anderson races to girls' crown

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Iolani's Nicole Anderson, a junior, breaks the tape to win the girls' portion of the Honolulu Marathon Hawai'i State High School Athletic Association Cross Country Championship at the Central O'ahu Regional Park. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Anderson finished the sloshy 2-mile course at Central O'ahu Regional Park in 12 minutes, 2 seconds, nearly a half-minute ahead of runner-up Jessica Do-mingo (12:31) of Kamehameha.

Domingo, also a junior, finished second to Anderson in last week's Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship meet.

"She's one fast runner; she deserves everything she's won," Domingo said. "She keeps a fast pace the whole time, and she just burns everyone out. But it's kinda strange losing to her, because she's so nice, you don't really feel anything when you lose. It's not like someone you really want to beat badly."

McKinley's Sheena Thain (12:37) took third, Lahainaluna's Caitlin McDonald (12:40) fourth, Waiakea's Tamarah Binek (12:43) fifth and Punahou's Pippa Macdonald (12:49) sixth.

Macdonald, who was the state runner-up as a freshman three years ago, was the runner to beat Anderson during the regular season.

"This year, it was really up for grabs, right up until the end," Anderson said. "Pippa had a breakthrough at Kamehameha, but I think that pumped me up. After that I really got on a roll. If I didn't lose, I may not have pushed myself as hard for taking it today."

Iolani coach Greg Char agreed.

"We ran in a very strong league, and I think that helps prepare you for a meet like this when you have to run so hard every week," Char said. "When Nicole got beat, I think it lit a fire in her. It's a good thing it happened then, because if Pippa were from the Neighbor Islands and it happened today, there would be no 'later.' Later would be next year."

Punahou finished second as a team, followed by Kamehameha, King Kekaulike and Mililani.

In addition to Anderson, the Raiders got strong performances from Joleen Oshiro (12:51, seventh), Christi Morrissey (12:55, eighth), Megan Chock (12:56, 10th), Jessica Ngirblekuu (13:08, 16th) and Nicole Leong (13:16, 20th). Even Iolani's seventh runner, Rebecca Jones, finished 43rd out of 175 with a time of 13:56.

"The last four weeks, they've really improved and ran the way they are capable," Char said. "We tried to train together as a group, and I tried to convince the girls that they can run with the front group."

At the very front, of course, was Anderson.

"I'm happy," Anderson said. "I'm so relieved."