Dudoit Wins Wrestling State Title

Jona Dudoit won the first state wrestling title for Molokai in 10 years. Contributed photo

By Léo Azambuja

It had been 10 years since a Molokai High School wrestler had won a Hawaii state wrestling title. The last year a Farmer took the top stop on the podium was 2016, when senior Cendall Manley, the coach’s daughter, won the 168-pound division. She went on to win multiple national titles during her college years.

The drought is finally over. Jona Dudoit won a nail-biting championship match in the 126-pound division at the 2026 Texaco Wrestling State Championships held at Blaisdell Arena on Oahu Feb. 28. It was the seventh-ever state title for the Friendly Isle.

Dudoit said he has “a lot of emotions” about his win. “It feels good, I’m happy.” He put a lot of hard work to achieve his goal; daily training, three times a day.

“Our game plan was for staying in his face, and no give him space and keep the pressure up,” Dudoit said of the final match. “No give him no breaks, and then just keep shooting, keep shooting. Just try put on as much points as you can.”

Molokai High School wrestling head coach Randy Manley said Dudoit’s win is a big achievement for Molokai; the Farmers hadn’t produced a champion since his daughter’s win in 2016. However, they have come close several times.

“We typically get kids into that final match, but most of the time we fall just short and end up in the second place,” Manley said.

For that reason, Dudoit’s win — at the peak of his four years as a wrestler — was meaningful in a lot of ways, Manley said. It was an accomplishment for Dudoit, he said, but it was also an accomplishment for the whole team and the wrestling program.

“I just can’t say enough about how excited we were for Jona, because he’s just a good guy, hard worker, just a leader in the room, and we’re just so happy for him,” Manley said.

The Lady Farmers also represented Molokai well, coming close to a win: Hilaʻi Kapuni took third in the 110-pound division, Tiale Tancayo took fourth in the 115-pound division, and Nylah Elaban took fourth in the 120-pound division.

Manley credited the success of his wrestlers to motivation and hard work.

“They go beyond just practices. They do extra things on their own to get themselves prepared and ready,” Manley said. “They’re good kids and hard workers.”

Manley had five children, and he coached wrestling to all of them. They’re all grownups now, and four of them are wrestling coaches. 

“Wrestling is one of those things that have a lot of life applications. And I think they would agree that a lot of that plays out in their lives now, as far as their work ethics and determination,” Manley said of his children.

He has been coaching for 29 years, and one of the reasons he enjoys wrestling is because there are a lot of life lessons to it, he said.

“One of my philosophies working with the kids is to help them to see that this isn’t just about the sport. There’s a lot that they can learn for their life,” Manley said. “That’s our hope that they take some of those life lessons with them, and that it makes them a better person and a better contributor to the community.”

Manley encouraged students to try wrestling. Many kids give it a try, only to find out they love it and have a talent for it.

As a senior, Dudoit will graduate in a few months, but hasn’t chosen a path yet after high school. He said he wanted to thank Molokai for supporting him and rooting for his success.