She still hasn't beaten older brother Ted, but "he helped me get better."

Now, Kaneda is beating all the females her age and weight.

Kaneda, a two-time state high school wrestling champion, won the 105-pound high school division of the seventh annual United States Girls' Wrestling Association National Championships March 27-28 in Lake Orion, Mich.

Kaneda was one of 27 females on the Hawai'i team that finished fourth overall in the event, and its only first-place winner.

Kaneda, who won states at 108 pounds, defeated Katherine Fulp-Allen of El Granada, Calif., 4-3, in the championship match.

"I really didn't want to celebrate. I'm not that type," Kaneda said. "(But) under my breathe, I said, 'yes;' seeing my coach's face (Bryan Aspera), it made me happy."

Kaneda won all four matches (two each day) to claim the title.

In the final, Kaneda, who is 5 feet 1, was concerned about her height disadvantage because Fulp-Allen stands about 4-5 inches taller.

"I was kind of worried about her height," she said. "I was trying to work low singles (going for a single shot takedown below knee). I saw her previous match so I kind of knew what she did."

The Hawai'i team compiled 172.5 points, finishing behind California (255.5), Michigan (207.5) and Ohio (175.5) among 34 states entered.

"That was really good," Kaneda said. "We only had 27 people. Some places had 90 people."

Kaneda said invitations to the championships go "out to anyone who was interested.

"I went last year and I didn't win (finished ninth)," but she wanted to go again "because I felt I should have won."

Kaneda has kept busy athletically. She's also participated in judo for four years, ran cross country her freshman and sophomore years and took part in riflery her junior and senior years. She plans to attend Missouri Valley College.

Only one other female on the Hawai'i team reached the final.

Punahou junior Lauren Primiano lost 2-0 in the title match of the 122-pound division.

Results of others on the Hawai'i team:

• Kamehameha freshman Randolyn Nohara took third in the over-165 division;

• Kamehameha senior Jazmine Cockett finished eighth at 126 pounds;

• Iolani junior Joleen Oshiro finished fourth at 100;

• Iolani freshman Carla Watase, the 98-pound state champion, finished ninth in the same division;

• Punahou senior Robyn Mizuno was sixth at 134 pounds;

• Chaneal Meletia of Hawai'i Baptist was sixth at 138;

• Lauren Terukina of Wai'anae finished 10th in the same division;

• Maile Nitta of Kamehameha finished eighth at 144 pounds;

• Tiana Kawa'a of Kamehameha was 12th at 165.

Three others earned placements in the middle school division:

• Kari Watase took sixth in the 75-pound division;

• Keiko Akamine earned sixth at 100;