Iolani meet brings out best

By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Iolani senior captains, from left, Kira Tamashiro, Nicole Anderson and Joleen Oshiro will lead the three-time defending state champions. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

But it can't seem to win its own invitational.

"We're probably not going to win, of course, because (of) the Mainland schools," Iolani senior co-captain Joleen Oshiro said. "I'm hoping we'll be the first Hawai'i school to win."

It could be because the Iolani Invitational Cross County Meet features some of the best high school teams in the nation and is quickly becoming one of the top meets in the region. And this sixth annual event — Saturday at Kualoa Ranch — is no different.

"All the people on the Mainland are really fast," Oshiro said. "The caliber of everyone else running on the Mainland, they come here and smash us."

More than 1,000 runners are expected to compete Saturday; about 200 in both the boys and girls varsity events. More than 20 local teams and 20 Mainland teams are entered. For the first time, teams from the O'ahu Interscholastic Association are participating.

"I think it's a real fun event for the kids," Iolani girls coach Greg Char said. "It lets them compete with the Mainland kids and socialize with them."

"The fishbowl is pretty small," said Iolani senior co-captain Nicole Anderson. "Hawai'i isn't that competitive in cross country. It's actually a privilege to run with the Mainland teams."

The boys field is equally impressive, with Auburn Riverside (Wash.), Midlothian (Va.), Lake Baddock Secondary of Virginia, and Moreau Catholic (Calif.) the top visiting teams. Iolani, Kamehameha and Punahou are among the top teams from Hawai'i.

The invitational also serves as a vehicle for female runners to compare their times nationally because they will be running a 5-kilometer or 3.1-mile course. Hawai'i high school girls compete at 2 miles.

"Those who aspire to run in college, the longer distance will look better for college recruiters," Char pointed out.

Anderson, who won the state title in 2002 and finished third last year, is a likely candidate to continue her running career in college, her coach said.

"For her personally, this is a big meet," Char said. "It gives her a chance to see how she is against the top-notch girls from the Mainland. For her to do real well and compete is important to her."

One of the favorites, Nicole Anderson, is flanked by Iolani teammates Kira Tamashiro and Joleen Oshiro. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"It opens your eyes to realize how much more there is out there," Oshiro said of the competition. "It's pretty good to see beyond runners in Hawai'i. It gives you an idea of how college may be."

The surprise of the boys race might be Mililani newcomer Anthony Barreras, who beat 2003 state champion Jeremy Kamaka'ala of Kamehameha by 34 seconds at the NFHS/OIA Invitational last Saturday. Barreras clocked 16 minutes, 4.1 seconds over the 5K course. Punahou's Peter Deptula finished third in 16:59.8. All three will compete Saturday.

Although Char views the meet as a fun way for his runners to challenge themselves against Mainland competition, it also is a chance for them to gain experience that will help them through the rest of the season.

"It does help them with their confidence," he said. "It also brings them together; closer. And that will help them at the end of the season."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.

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