Warriors squeeze past Lahainaluna; Low wins third title
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kamehameha edged Lahainaluna by two points, 128.5 to 126.5, last night to deny the Lunas a historic first Neighbor Island team state wrestling championship at Blaisdell Arena.
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Kamehameha's only individual champion was Gerritt Vincent at 171 pounds. Vincent beat Mike Egesdal of Punahou, 13-8.
Saint Louis' Brandon Low, left, went on to pin Moloka'i's James Blair in a semifinal match at 125 pounds. Low then beat Kaiser's Bricen Yakabe for his third state title.
"It was just the team," said Vincent, explaining the Warriors' first state title since 1999. "Everybody didn't give up, and when it came to the really important matches, every guy came through. Everybody just had fun out there."
In addition to Vincent's title, Kamehameha got a runner-up finish from Alapa'i Bungo (135) and third-place finishes from Reggie Torres (130 pounds), Jared Sandobal (140), Bryson Vivas (145) and Gaison Ontai (160), plus a sixth-place finish from Kenrick Pai (152).
The Warriors actually were 10 points behind leader Lahainaluna entering the championship, third-place and fifth-place finals.
"I guess 'rebound' is the key word," Kamehameha coach Billy Venenciano said. "The kids pulled through. They didn't give up, wrestled within themselves and made the best out of their opportunities. All of their hard work paid off."
INDIVIDUAL POINTS Takedown: 2 Reversal: 2 Near Fall: 2-3 (4, if stopped for injury time) Escape: 1 Stalling: (warning after first violation, 1 point awarded after second, 3 points after third and wrestler is disqualified after fourth) Locking of the hands/Illegal hold: (1 point is awarded after first violation, 1 for second and wrestler is disqualified after third) TEAM POINTS Third and fifth place matches: 2 points for win plus bonus (pin, superior decision). Most points possible per match is 4. Championship matches: 4 points for win plus bonus. Most points possible is 6.
Lahainaluna's last chance to win the team trophy came in the championship final at 189 pounds, but Roosevelt's Jonathan Duquette defeated the Lunas' Patrick Kaina, 5-4.
SCORING POINTS IN WRESTLING
Duquette took a 5-1 lead early in the second period, but Kaina closed it to 5-3 with two escapes entering the third period. Kaina got another escape early in the third, but could not score again in the final 40 seconds.
Lahainaluna also lost two tough title bouts at 119 and 160.
At 119, Waiakea's Landon Kurata defeated Michael Villoria, 5-3, in overtime. And at 160, Baldwin's Ryan Tuzon rallied for an 8-6 victory over Nathan Harris.
Baldwin (123 points) took third place, followed by Punahou (112.5), Kahuku (106), Saint Louis (87.5) and Iolani (84).
Meanwhile, Saint Louis' Brandon Low won his third straight state championship, this time at 125 pounds. Low, a junior, won the 112-pound title as a sophomore and the 119 crown last year.
Last night, Low defeated Kaiser's Bricen Yakabe, 5-0. Low took a 2-0 lead on a takedown in the first period. After a scoreless second period, Low scored on an escape and then a takedown to close out the third.
"I saw (Yakabe) wrestle and I knew I had to avoid his leg ride," Low said. "I've been practicing defending leg rides for the past month, and everything the coaches told me worked out."
Low became the 15th boy wrestler in the 40-year history of the state tournament to win three championships. If he should win next year, Low will join Iolani's Patrick Higa (1986) and Saint Louis' Jonathan Spiker (2003) as the only boys to win four titles.
Low said he did not feel the pressure of that feat this weekend.
"This probably was the least nervous I've been for the state tournament," Low said. "My coaches and my dad tried to calm me down. I'm really happy right now. Now I'm going to focus on relaxing, on anything but wrestling for a while."
In addition to Low, Kahuku's Daniel Morita (135), Hilo's Johanson Quist (140) and Konawaena's Dylan Rush (215) also were repeat champions last night.
Morita defeated Kamehameha's Bungo, 10-4, Quist defeated Baldwin's Mikey Lauer, 8-3, and Rush defeated Leilehua's Michael Mullen, 10-1.
Staff writer Leila Wai contributed to this report. Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
