Posted on: Friday, October 29, 2004
Saunders, Hamamura pin down OIA crowns
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
WAHIAWA — Kapolei junior Cherish Saunders repeated as O'ahu Interscholastic Association girls individual bowling champion yesterday at Schofield Bowl.
But which of her two titles was better?
Saunders rolled a six-game series of 1,297. She was the only bowler to roll 200 scores in all her games. Her low game was 203, her high 234.
"Cherish is good," said Mililani's Shaun Hamamura, the boys individual champion at 1,284, 13 pins fewer than Saunders.
In the best-of-three team championships, Mililani's boys beat 'Aiea, 2-1, while Na Ali'i's girls swept Pearl City, 2-0.
It was Mililani's second boys title in three years and third overall. Joining Hamamura on the championship team are Brett Tatsuno (1,165), Corey Kim (1,111), Blane Murobayashi (1,109), Kyle Rzonca (1,088) and Bryson Pearson (932).
It was Na Ali'i's first team crown since 1988 and third overall. They also snapped the Chargers' three-year stranglehold. 'Aiea's team consisted of Christine Kealalio (1,020), Ashley Primacio (1,014), Liane Deeter (1,014), Noe Campos (991) and Holly Somera (850).
Saunders was 189 pins better than runner-up Jennifer Boisselle of Leilehua.
"It was just focusing and playing my game," Saunders said.
Hamamura, also a junior, opened the day with a 262 in his first game. He had three more 200-plus games to hold off Roosevelt's Jarrett Mizo, last year's champion. Mizo finished with 1,266.
"Today, the lanes were nice," Hamamura said. "I'm just very happy that I could win it."
The OIA will send 40 girls and 42 boys to the Billy Tees state bowling championship Nov. 11 and 12 at Lihu'e on Kaua'i.
Kapolei and Moanalua are the defending girls and boys state champions, respectively. Ironically, neither has enough bowlers to qualify for the team titles, guaranteeing there will be new team state champions.
Kapolei's Shaina Carnate, who finished eighth yesterday, is defending state girls champion. She and Saunders can bowl for the individual title.
The top 15 bowlers were awarded medals yesterday:
Girls
1. Cherish Saunders, Kapolei, 1,297.
2. Jennifer Boisselle, Leilehua, 1,108.
3. Tara Nishida, Castle, 1,101.
4. Taneka Stephens, Mililani, 1,086. 5. Darrolyn Gaspar, Mililani, 1,084.
6. Audra Tanaka, Mililani, 1,076.
7. Theresa Olpendo, Waialua, 1,070.
8. Shaina Carnate, Kapolei, 1,068.
9. Brianne Maze, Radford, 1,034.
10. Christine Kealalio, 'Aiea, 1,020.
11. Brianne Lagat-Ramos, Moanalua, 1,019.
12. Jordeen Koizumi, Pearl City, 1,019.
13. Ashley Primacio, 'Aiea, 1,014.
14, Lianne Deeter, 'Aiea, 1,014.
15. Brittany Awana, Castle, 1,008.
Boys
1. Shaun Hamamura, Mililani, 1,284.
2. Jarrett Mizo, Roosevelt, 1,266.
3. Shane Dias, Kapolei, 1,236.
4. Sheldon Lo, 'Aiea, 1,218. 5. Darin Villegas, 'Aiea. 1,200.
6. Stuart Fuke, Kalani, 1,188.
7. Scott Tanna, Kalani, 1,180.
8. Shane Dagdag, 'Aiea, 1,172.
9. Brett Tatsuno, Mililani, 1,165.
10. Kyle Nagamine, Kalani, 1,161.
11. Daniel Liliu, McKinley, 1,143.
12. Chad Tanimoto, Waipahu, 1,127.
13. Kevin Tatrow, Leilehua, 1,125.
14. Jared Hayashi, Pearl City, 1,123.
15. Corey Kim, Mililani, 1,111.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
"This year is better because I beat the boys," she said.
