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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, March 4, 2005

Low seeks third state wrestling title

 •  Boys seeds

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Two years ago, minutes after becoming just the second boy to win four Hawai'i High School Athletic Association individual wrestling championships, Saint Louis senior Jonathan Spiker was asked what advice he would give to freshman teammate Brandon Low, who had just won his first state crown.

Saint Louis junior Brandon Low could join 14 others as a three-time state champ.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I'd tell him, 'Just take it one match at a time, one year at a time,' " Spiker said. "If he does that, he should be fine."

Today, Low is more than fine. As the No. 1 seed at 125 pounds for this weekend's HHSAA/Chevron state championships, he is on track to join Spiker and 13 others as the only three-time champions in the 40-year history of the tournament.

And just like Spiker suggested, Low has taken things one match at a time, one year at a time.

"I don't get too far ahead of myself," Low said after Tuesday's practice. "(Athletic director Todd) Los Baņos talked to me the other day, because he thought I was stressing out. He told me to just relax and take it one match at a time, just don't stress out. If I train hard and do what I'm supposed to, then whatever happens, happens."

Low already has had one less thing to worry about than did Spiker and Iolani's Patrick Higa, Hawai'i's only other four-time champ (1983 to '86). Spiker and Higa each finished their careers unbeaten against Hawai'i opponents, meaning they had to carry the burden of that streak into every match from December to March.

HHSAA WRESTLING

WHEN: Today (starting at 11 a.m.) and tomorrow (semifinals and consolation rounds at 10:30 a.m.; girls finals at 4:30 p.m.; boys finals at 6:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Blaisdell Arena

ADMISSION: Adults $9.50; seniors (age 62 and over) and students (K-12) $5.50

Low lost twice as a freshman, to Mikhail Higa of Waiakea and Kahuku's Daniel Morita.

"That relieved a lot of stress," said Low, who has not lost to a Hawai'i foe since. "All I've had to worry about is getting into states and winning states."

The second of those goals is the tougher one, especially this year. Low won the 112-pound title as a freshman and the 119-pound championship last year. This time, he is in a weight class that features seven wrestlers who placed in the 2004 state tournament.

In last year's finals, two seniors trying for their third individual state championships were denied.

"It's definitely no guarantee," Low said. "When you're the state champion, everybody's gunning for you, and a lot of people hope the state champ loses."

Los Baņos, for one, is hoping Low can join the others in the exclusive three-peat club and believes he has what it takes to eventually become the next four-time champ. Los Baņos was the Crusaders' head coach during Spiker's reign and was an assistant at Iolani during Higa's four-year title run.

"Without a doubt, he's the real deal," Los Baņos said of Low. "If he maintains his hard work and focus, it will happen. But the pressure is mounting every year, and that's the hardest battle to fight. Especially with Brandon, because he's more of a thinker.

"But he has all the same qualities as Spiker and Pat."

Like Spiker and Travis Lee, another three-time state champion from Saint Louis (1999 to 2001), Low also has the academic credentials to match his wrestling exploits. Low has a 4.2 grade point average while taking two advanced placement courses (biology and history) and two honors courses (English and Japanese III).

And, just like in wrestling, Low is ranked No. 1 in his class.

"Watching (Spiker and Lee), I realized how important the academic side is," Low said.



CORRECTION

Joleen Oshiro of Iolani won the state title at 103 pounds last year. Mention of her title was omitted in yesterday' story.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.

• • •

Boys Seeds

103 pounds: 1, Nick Matayoshi (Iolani); 2, Nathan Duarosan, (King Kekaulike); 3, Brandon Mina (Waipahu); 4, Richie Mitchell (Honoka'a)

112 pounds: 1, Lean Gumbac (Baldwin); 2, Aaron Ishikawa (Iolani); 3, Royce Mandarang (Waipahu); 4, Richard Okinaka (Waiakea)

119 pounds: 1, Richard Torres (Kahuku); 2, Zach Matayoshi (Iolani); 3, Michael Villoria (Lahainaluna); 4, Landon Kurata (Waiakea)

125 pounds: 1, Brandon Low (Saint Louis); 2, Bricen Yakabe (Kaiser); 3, Bailey Ball (Lahainaluna); 4, Travis Tsuda (Kealakehe)

130 pounds: 1, Brenden Whitt (Punahou); 2, Michael Shiroma (Roosevelt); 3, Ryan Ah Puck (Lahainaluna); 4, Brandt Tanaka (Waiakea)

135 pounds: 1, Daniel Morita (Kahuku); 2, Grant Hirayama (Hilo); 3, Lindsey Baybayan (Lahainaluna); 4, Steven Chong (Punahou)

140 pounds: 1, Johanson Quist (Hilo); 2, Mickey Lauer (Baldwin); 3, Jarrod Sandobal (Kamehameha); 4, Seth Ching (Pearl City)

145 pounds: 1, John Stricklin-Pu (Hana); 2, William Smithe (Mililani); 3, Bryson Vivas (Kamehameha); 4, Garrett Roan (Waiakea)

152 pounds: 1, T.J. Kuahine (Baldwin); 2, Kenrick Pai (Kamehameha); 3, Simon Ioane (Farrington); 4, Shannon Kang (Hilo)

160 pounds: 1, Ryan Tuzon (Baldwin); 2, Jared Ha'o (Kealakehe); 3, Gaison Ontai (Kamehameha); 4, Thomas Iinuma (Pearl City)

171 pounds: 1, Gerritt Vincent (Kamehameha); 2, Nicholas Kuhn (Lahainaluna); 3, Ikoa Rosa-Paris (Leilehua); 4, Kyle Norman (Konawaena)

189 pounds: 1, Jared Silva (Saint Louis); 2, Patrick Kaina (Lahainaluna); 3, Yancy Medeiros (Wai'anae); 4, Jorey Baysinger (Konawaena)

215 pounds: 1, Dylan Rush (Konawaena); 2, Joshua Gisha (Nanakuli); 3, Talive Suifonoa (Moloka'i); 4, Kazden Ikehara (Kamehameha)

275 pounds: 1, Matt Tanielu (Moloka'i); 2, Max Fairclough (Kahuku); 3, Russel Fisher (Mid-Pacific); 4, Matt Wharton (Pahoa)