SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Two juniors who were "happy to be here" — Moanalua's Kristina Merkle and 'Aiea's Bryson Watabu — won O'ahu Interscholastic Association individual golf championships yesterday.

Merkle, who captured the prestigious Jennie K. Wilson Invitational and finished second in the state tournament two years ago, sat out last season to work on academics. This time, she was the only player — boy or girl — to finish under par over the first round April 22 at Ala Wai and yesterday at Leilehua Golf Course, carding a 68-70—138 (4 under) to win handily over Kalani's Nicole Sakamoto (76-74—150), Roosevelt's Ha'aheo Manini-HewLen (72-80—152) and Mililani's Kristen Suwada (74-80—154).

"It feels good," Merkle said. "Last year I went on a trip to Atlanta the week after spring break and I missed school, and I had a hard time catching up in class. This year I didn't have any other tournaments, just high school golf, so it was nice to see everybody again."

Even after shooting a 2-under 70 last week at Ala Wai, Merkle felt her game needed work so she practiced at Leilehua until 8 p.m. Sunday. The extra work paid off, as she made five birdies on the front nine yesterday en route to a 3-under 33.

Merkle started strong on the back nine as well, with a par on 10 and birdie on 11. But she ran into trouble on 12, three-putting for double-bogey on the par 3 hole, then she bogeyed 13, a par 4. Merkle then recovered with three straight pars, a birdie on 17 and then another par on the finishing hole.

"I was pretty upset (at 12 and 13), I was ready to go crazy," she said. "But then I was able to get my head straight and come back. I was doing some math in my head to figure out how people might catch me, but I didn't want to let up because you never know what might happen. In the end, I just wanted to par out and then whatever happens, happens."

It turned out to be a safe lead, helping Na Menehune win the girls team title with a three-person, two-day total of 467. Pearl City was second at 496, followed by 'Aiea (505) and Roosevelt (531).

Watabu, meanwhile, was a surprise winner on the boys side. He began the day five strokes behind leader Nick Kim of Kaiser after carding a 4-over 74 at Ala Wai last week, but caught Kim yesterday by shooting a 1-over 73 as Kim shot 78.

On the 18th hole, Kim bogeyed and Watabu made par to force a sudden-death playoff. The players went back to the par-4 first hole, and both hit solid drives down the middle. Kim's approach shot ended up about 10 feet from the pin, and Watabu hit a pitching wedge from 125 yards out to 4 feet.

Kim's birdie putt went right of the hole, and Watabu sank his for the victory.

"I feel happy, relieved," said Watabu, who finished 10th in last year's OIA championships and averaged in the "high 70s" this season. "I was pretty nervous, super nervous. I thought I could get close but not win it; I would be happy with a top five (finish). I just tried to keep steady and keep my nerves calm. I had to keep getting pars; birdies would be extra. I thought if I hit steady and played at even or better, I would have a chance."

'Aiea's Ryan Kuroiwa finished third with a 75-73—148, and Kalani's Marc Arakaki (72-79—151) took fourth.

Moanalua won the boys team title with a four-person, two-day total of 628. Pearl City finished second at 646, followed by Mililani (655) and Kaiser (677).

The top 41 boys and 23 girls earned state tournament berths.