Hurricanes a threat in state bowling

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

KAPOLEI — Shaina Carnate and Cherish Saunders are making bowling a science. A science project, that is.

Kapolei's Cherish Saunders, left, is a two-time OIA champion, while teammate Shaina Carnate will try to win her third state title. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Carnate, a senior, is not only the defending state girls champion, but will try to become the first to win three titles. She won as a freshman in 2001.

Saunders, a junior, has placed fifth in the states the past two years. She also won her second consecutive O'ahu Interscholastic Association title when she posted the highest score of either gender, 1,297 in a six-game series, a few weeks ago at Schofield Bowl.

Carnate and Saunders bowl all year as members of Subase Junior Bowling of the O'ahu Junior Masters league. While the serious bowlers compete in the league, they say it is more casual because the bowlers all know each other. Everyone has seen them at their best and probably worst, which probably hasn't been too often. But both girls said they bear down at the high school meets because they compete in front of people who aren't too familiar with them.

"We just have to concentrate and not give up," Carnate said. "We know people are going to be watching us."

Carnate said she began bowling when she was 5; Saunders said she started at 9. Since the sport has made of a good part of their lives, it was natural for them to pick it for their science project, which they want to enter into the science fair. In their project, they have four bowlers, two left-handers and two right-handers, who must bowl 24 games each with bowling balls of the different cover stocks. They want to see if certain cover stocks are favorable to lefties or righties.

Ironically, while the Kapolei duo might contend for individual honors, it can't enjoy the thrill of repeating as state champions. With senior Rachael Gruzinsky, the Hurricanes qualified just three entries into the tournament. Five are needed to make a team.

"It's sad we didn't make it as a team, but we will try our best," Carnate said.

"We'll just bowl our own games and not worry about it," Saunders added.

The Hurricanes aren't the only ones who can't defend the team title. Moanalua's boys also failed to qualify enough members to get into the team competition.

Those with season-high averages in their respective leagues are:

Joining Carnate and Saunders among last year's top 10 state finishers are: Maui's Malia Baldovi (2nd last year), 'Aiea's Christine Kealalio, and Pearl City's Noemi Solano. League-leading season average holders entering this tournament are: Castle's Tara Nishida (199), Sacred Hearts' Kristin Tom (176.3) and Hilo's Larissa Lerma (174.5).

The Maui Interscholastic League individual champion is Baldwin's Lindsey Kanae. The Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation didn't have an individual champion, but Waimea's girls won the team title. The Menehunes are led by sisters Ashley and Sharla Shimono and Jenni Ueno.

Among last year's top 10 boys returning are: Roosevelt's Jarrett Mizo (OIA East-leading 205), Baldwin's Brandon Narasaki, 'Aiea's Sheldon Lo (184), Radford's Garrett Lehman (204), Pearl City's Jared Hayashi (203) and Iolani's Jayson Nip (197.1).

League champions or division leaders include: Maryknoll's Vaseem Anwar (205), Kapolei's Shane Dias (211), Mililani's Shaun Hamamura (202) and Waiakea's Ryan Watanabe (192.9).

Kaua'i won the boys' team title. Its top three qualifiers are Garren Venzon (195), Jesse Duarte (185) and Travis Fontanilla (178), according Garden Island sports editor Duane Shimogawa.

Correction: 'Aiea's girls won the OIA team championship by winning three matches to none against Pearl City. Information provided showed a different score.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.