Sports

Baseball Dominates Trojans

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Coming off a 1-1 performance last weekend at Seabury Hall, the Farmers baseball team had its 2011 home debut at Duke Maliu Regional Field last weekend and improved to 3-1.

With the help of a solid pitching game by Ka`oli Place, the Farmers shut out the Trojans 11-0 on Friday night. “I think I pitched well. I wanted a [win],” he said. The Farmers won again on Saturday, 17-2 over St. Anthony. David Rapanot led the team and went three for four with three runs and five RBIs.

“I’m pleased overall. Everything’s coming together really nicely,” coach Mike McCutcheon said.

The baseball team will play Lanai in their last home series this weekend, April 8-9.

Tennis
The Molokai High School tennis team played their last regular matches of the season last weekend against Maui Prep and Maui High, where the girls’ side grabbed some wins.

No. 1 doubles team in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL), Molokai’s Denichell Ruiz and Brittanae-Rae Nerveza, defeated Maui Prep 6-4, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-1 on Friday. No. 2 single player, Molokai’s Monalisa Espejo, defeated her opponent after a tough set, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2. The boys’ side did not win against Maui Prep. Scores were unavailable for Maui High matches.

“It’s been a great season, a nice fulfilling season for me,” said coach Catie Brind.

The team will next play at the MIL tournament on April 21-23 on Maui.

Full results at TheMolokaiDispatch.com

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Makani Ikaika O Molokai

Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Community Contributed

By Clare Seeger Mawae

Makani Ikaika O Molokai stayed true to the name with the blessings from the kupuna. Twenty-plus mile per hour winds and a sprinkle of rain at Kamalo gave the organizers and 14 standup paddling competitors something to be excited about, at the last race held March 19.

Safety was the key, and mahalo to Keola, Daniel and Russell who showed up in their one man canoes to escort the kids and chaperone them to the finish line of Hotel Molokai. Due to the strong wind, the kids were limited to the short course, only so only experienced adult watermen and woman took the stage at Kamalo starting at 1 p.m.

The other adults and youth gathered at One Ali`i Park for the short course. As

the Kamalo pack passed by, led by Keala Freeman, the countdown began for the second group. The conch shell blew and Kekai Adachi shot out to the front of his pack taking the lead instantly, finishing with a time of 41:38 sec. Seconds behind was Tanner Mosher, taking second in the youth division, and 8-year-old Slater Oswald coming in third place.

Keala Freeman took first place once again in the Kamalo pack, landing on the beach at Hotel Molokai in a time of 1:36.39. Steve Bloom and Boki Chung took a joint second place.

Mother and daughter duo, Jessica and Kaydence Oswald once again took first place in their divisions for the short course. Finally, in the family fun division from Ali`i fishpond, newly turned 8-year-old Paul Gamit did a credible time of 19:32 for his first race.

Many remarked that everyone was in harmony with the wind, “This was like one of those perfect powder snow skiing days,” said Steve Bloom. This day was an incredible ocean experience for 2011, not just for racing but just being out in the elements.

Next race is Saturday, April 2, with a noon check in at Kamalo. See you then!

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Boys’ Volleyball Bounces Back

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

The Farmers’ volleyball team pulled wins against the Lanai Pine Lads last Friday and Saturday in Lanai City. The two wins put the Farmers at 2-2 on the season.

Senior David Gomes had ten kills on Friday night, and had help from his teammate, Paka Adolpho, who racked up 12 kills against the Pine Lads. The Farmers won 25-13, 23-25, 25-10, 20-25, 15-13.
“To me, it went good,” Gomes said. “I think we played more as a team and we were more aware of our mistakes.”

“They are looking good. They just have to work on their chemistry,” said coach Bill Dudoit.

Gomes had 12 kills on Saturday afternoon; Adolpho had 9 kills and 2 blocks, as well as one ace. Anu Maliu-Calairo gave the team an extra push by coming off the bench on Saturday and had seven kills on eight attempts. The Farmers won 25-10, 25-27, 22-25, 25-20, 15-6.

“I think it went pretty well. The coaches did really well training us and preparing us for Lanai,” Maliu-Calairo said.

Their next and first home game will be against defending Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) champs, Baldwin High, April 8-9.

“We would like people to come out and support our team,” Dudoit said.

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Softball Downs St. Anthony

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

Homeruns, grand slams and mercy rules were prevalent this past weekend at Duke Maliu Regional Park. The Lady Farmers softball team continues its path for an undefeated season with two wins against St. Anthony last weekend, 11-1 on Friday and 25-5 on Saturday.

Jasmine Borden pitched a full game on Friday.
“My goal was to get 10 strikeouts and I got eight,” Borden said.

Molokai was able to hold St. Anthony to one point with a core of 11-1 in the fourth inning with the mercy-rule, and saw hit after hit from Molokai.

“We started off slow in the first and second inning, but we came back stronger,” said Tootie Rawlins.

Saturday’s game saw a quicker pace of game. Amanda Makawi pitched the entire game, which lasted four innings until the mercy-rule went into effect.

The game saw some excitement when Makawi and Natalia Levi each hit in-the-park grand slams.

“I was just thinking how I needed to hustle and get to home plate,” Makawi said of her grand slam.

Their next series will also be their last home games of the season against Hana on April 15.

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Farmers Start Season 1-1

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

The Farmers’ baseball team started off their regular season 1-1 this past weekend against Seabury Hall. Molokai took a win on Friday 12-6 with pitching from Kaoli Place, who had 12 strikeouts and one walk.

“All of the hitters in our lineup scored a run. In baseball, that’s a pretty awesome accomplishment,” said coach Mike McCutcheon.

The Farmers were up 5-3 in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game, but Seabury Hall came back with a four-run rally in the seventh inning to win the game 7-8.

Their coach cites costly base-running mistakes and pitching errors.

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Molokai Qualifies in High Jump

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

At the first meet of the regular Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) season, track and fielder Kalei Adolpho jumped 5-feet-2 in the high jump, a state qualifying height.

“She had pretty crisp looking jumps,” said coach Jessie Ford.

The Farmers competed in last weekend’s Yamamoto Invitational, where two of their five runners placed in Saturday’s final meet. Sophomore Akona Adolpho ran the 800-meter and finished in sixth place, while senior Kalei Adolpho placed fifth in the 800, along with her impressive high jump.

Ford said that Akona Adolpho had an exciting run in his final 800, finishing at 2:11.08 – a 2.5 second drop. She added that this was a learning meet for the team.

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Tennis Holds Own Against Trojans

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

The Molokai High School tennis team gained in points from last weekend’s matches, winning three match ups against St. Anthony on March 25-26, on the Farmers’ home court.

Sophomore David “Kamanu” Pascua-Kahookano and freshman Quintin “Pono” Chow, both new to the sport this year, won their doubles match 6-1, 6-0.

“David is really good, he’s got really nice strokes,” said coach Catie Brind.

Chow followed up his win on Friday with another doubles win on Saturday, this time teaming up with senior Jordan Hao, 6-0, 6-2.

getting used to covering more of the court, not getting stuck in no-man’s land,” Brind said.

The team heads to Maui to play quadruple matches against Maui High and Maui Prep this weekend, April 1-2 – a make-up meet from the rained out March 4-5 matches.

Molokai vs St Anthony in Tennis
Friday
Pascua-Kahookano and Chow won 6-1, 6-0
Micah Matson lost 1-6, 0-6
Hope Will lost 1-6, 0-6
Rhena Singh lost 6-0, 6-0
Alohalyn Espejo and Shauna Pule-Kaahanui lost 6-4, 6-4
Monalisa Espejo lost 0-6, 0-6
Nerveza and Ruiz won 7-5, 1-6, 6-3
Luke Santiago lost 0-6, 0-6 (played # 1 player in MIL)

Saturday
Nerveza and Ruiz lost 2-6, 2-6
Singh lost 0-6, 0-6
Will lost hope 1-6, 0-6
Mona Espejo lost 0-6, 0-6
Aloha Espejo and Pule-Kaahanui lost 2-6, 2-6
Pascua-Kahookano lost 0-6, 0-6 (also played # 1 player in MIL)
Santiago lost 0-6, 0-6
Matson lost 0-6, 3-6
Chow and Jordan Hao won 6-0, 6-2

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Wahine Wrestlers Recognized

Monday, March 28th, 2011

The Lady Farmers wrestling team can look forward to next year knowing that they have three all-stars on the team. Mikayla Pico, who wrestles in the 98-pound weight class, Rizpah Torres-Umi (120) and Charisse Manley (130) have all succeeded in gaining the respect and attention from coaches across the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL), division II.

The Maui News compiled ballots from coaches from across the MIL D-II , and announced the wrestling all-stars last week. The achievement is a testament to the girls’ performance in the 2010-2011 wrestling season.

Coach Randy Manley is proud of what the girls have accomplished.

“They all qualified for the MIL championship. That was the big thing that put them in this position,” Manley said, noting that they were very determined and worked hard all season.

“I feel honored,” said junior Charisse Manley, who has been wrestling since elementary school..

Manley and her teammates ended behind Lahainluna in second place at this year’s MIL championships. All three of the girls also earned first place in their individual matches at the MIL championship.

“It was exciting and satisfying to s

ee her make the progress that she has,” Randy Manley said of his daughter, Charisse.

“I would like to credit my coach for always being there and helping me through everything,” Charisse said. “And I’d also like to credit my team, too, because they force me to better myself.”,

Torres-Umi, a freshman, said she has high hopes for next season and the rest of her high school career.
“I want to be a three-time champ,” she said. “The MILs were the most memorable this season. All of my matches were not challenging. I think that meant I improved a lot.”

The trio also placed at states: Pico got second place, Torres-Umi placed sixth and Manley took home fourth place.

Torres-Umi’s father, Bob Umi, raised his daughter under a roof of wrestlers. Rizpah is one of twelve children in her family and her older brothers showed her the skills she needed to become an all-star.

“One time somebody asked me, ‘How come your kids are so good at wrestling?’ Easy. I just make them fight for food,” Umi joked.

Mikayla Pico was not available for comments.

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This Week in Molokai Sports

Monday, March 28th, 2011

Molokai softball and boys’ volleyball kept up the winning streak during last weekend’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) regular season games, while tennis, track and field, and baseball made strides of their own.

Softball
Homeruns, grand slams and mercy rules were prevalent this past weekend at Duke Maliu Regional Park. The Lady Farmers softball team preserved its undefeated season with two wins off St. Anthony, 11-1 on Friday and 25-5 on Saturday. Framers Amanda Makawi and Natalia Levi both hit in-the-park grand slams.
“I was just thinking how I needed to hustle and get to home plate,” Makawi said of her grand slam. Their next series will also be their last home games of the season, against Hana on April 15.

Check back soon for more results and details!

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Tennis Kicks Off the Season

Monday, March 21st, 2011

The Farmers’ tennis team took on Lahainaluna last weekend on our home court – losing all matches, but for many, gaining their first experiences.

“These guys are tougher than the first guys we were supposed to play,” said volunteer coach, Kanahele Montizor. The combined girls’ and boys’ tennis team had two previous match-ups postponed – one due to rain, on March 4-5, and the other due to the March 11 tsunami.

No Molokai player won a match, but many held their own with set points. Denichell Ruiz and Brittanie-Rae Nerveza, playing doubles, lost both matches on Friday, first earning three points to Lahainaluna’s six (3-6), followed by 0-6. The girls improved on Saturday, with a 2-6, 2-6.

In tennis, each match is divided into sets, where a player must win two of three sets to win the match. Each set is played until one player (or doubles team) reaches six points. Each player participated in two matches against Lahainaluna.
showed them where their strengths were and where their weakness were,” she said.

Brind said she was especially impressed by doubles team Keoki Kaulia-Pelland and Micah Matson, who lost Friday’s matches 0-6, 5-7, but lost by a closer margin on Saturday, 3-6, 4-6.

“Now they’re getting the feel of competition…the slight pressure you have in a game,” Brind said. “But I tell them, just play each point, and do your personal best.”

The team plays St. Anthony at home next weekend, 3 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, at the high school courts.