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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, March 14, 2003

Wrestlers Spiker, Valdez try to pin down history

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

When Saint Louis School's Jonathan Spiker and Moanalua High's Caylene Valdez lace up their shoes and walk onto the wrestling mat today, they will be on the doorstep of history.

Saint Louis School's Jonathan Spiker, right, shown here in last year's 145-pound state semifinal against Trenton Mericle of 'Aiea, will try to become only the second boy in 38 state tournaments to win four titles.

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Spiker, at 152 pounds, will begin his final push to become only the second boy in 38 state tournaments to win four championships. Iolani's Patrick Higa (1983-86) stands alone in accomplishing the feat since the first Hawai'i High School Athletic Association meet in 1966.

There was no girls tournament until 1998, but Valdez (114) nonetheless can make history as well as the first four-time female state champion.

Opening rounds of both tournaments begin today at Blaisdell Arena, with the semifinals and finals set for tomorrow.

For both Spiker and Valdez, today could not come soon enough, especially since the tournament is starting two weeks later than last year's.

"I'm excited, I kinda wish it were here already," Spiker said during Tuesday's practice. "We've had to wait two weeks, and each day I get more energized."

Valdez has spent the time studying videotapes of herself and opponents in addition to her normal preparation.

"I've been very nervous," she said. "I'm always at home reviewing tapes and trying to get ready. I really, really want to win, but I also don't want to take it too seriously. No matter what happens, I'll still have something to cherish."

For Spiker and Valdez, just getting to this point is a huge accomplishment. Wrestling, as much of a contact sport as there is in high school, lends itself to injuries. Valdez's only loss in Hawai'i came last year when she had to withdraw during a match because of an injured back. Spiker has remained relatively injury-free through four undefeated seasons, but just two weeks ago he suffered a gash on his head during practice, requiring four stitches.

Caylene Valdez is a three-time champion at 108 pounds.

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"There are a lot of variables," Saint Louis coach Todd Los Baños said. "First, you have to have the talent, but you also have to be dedicated and disciplined and thrive on competition. And then you have to take care of your grades and can't get hurt. Everything has to be right. Even a tiny ringworm at the last minute can take you out of it."

There's also the possibility of a bad pin call by the referee or a disqualification. Los Baños said that's where Spiker's discipline comes in.

"He doesn't put himself in bad positions where that could happen," Los Baños said. "He's a national judo champion, so if he wanted to throw somebody, he could easily do it. But he won't lift a guy off the mat, because he knows there's a risk it could be called a slam and it would cost him."

Then, of course, there is the opponent. Valdez is a three-time champion at 108 pounds, but moved up this year into one of the toughest of the 10 girls weight classes.

The division includes defending champ Debbi Sakai of Mililani, along with three-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion and No. 2 seed Jaynee Kim of Punahou and unseeded contender Tamitha Hufana of Farrington.

Last year's title wasn't easily won, either, as Valdez held off Kahuku's Shanel Vivas, 11-7, in the tournament's most dramatic match.

"I was kinda hoping to get good competition," Valdez said. "I'm glad there's more than one person (at 114). It's more my natural weight, anyway, and I'd rather have the challenge."

Although Valdez and Spiker are well aware of their chances to make history, both have put wrestling and their final go-around into proper perspective. Spiker is headed to Harvard University in the fall, and Valdez hopes to wrestle and play soccer at Menlo (Calif.) College.

"This has been my most enjoyable season by far," Spiker said. "(The record) is not a one-time shot, it's four years, and each year is a whole new time."

Said Valdez: "I don't wanna jump the gun and say it's gonna happen. Also, it doesn't matter if anybody knows about it. Inside, I'll know I did it for myself and my team."