Softball Player and Coach of the Year

The Maui News 2017 Maui Interscholastic League Softball All Stars were announced last week and Molokai senior Brooke Keliihoomalu was named Player of the Year and was joined on the first team by five Lady Farmer teammates. Juniors Kaydence Kalawe-Oswald, Sydney Rawlins and Camille Ledesma also made the firstt team, along with sophomores Cahlvrie and Cami Horner. The Lady Farmers had four players on the second team: seniors Precious Rawlins and Nadia Augustiro and freshman Kianne Demello-Galam and Felicity Pestrana. To cap off a successful season, Head Coach Kawehi Horner was named Coach of the Year.

Keliihoomalu, who is headed to play college softball at Lake Region State College in North Dakota, said she achieved her goal.

“From my freshman year, becoming player of the year for softball was my number one individual goal and it feels good that I can leave high school on that note,” she said. “However, I know there’s no way I could’ve gotten this title on my own.”

After a great high school career where she excelled in softball, basketball and volleyball, Keliihoomalu is very thankful to God, her parents, family, friends, community and coaches.

“A special thank you goes out to my papa Jimmy Duvachelle for being there through it all and believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself,” she added. “You’re the reason I never gave up.”

Horner expressed his appreciation for the recognition he received as well.

“It’s an honor and quite an awesome feeling,”he said. “When you do what you love you never find yourself working a day in your life! There are so many people who stand beside me with this title and honor, who have helped me along the way.”

Horner loves the game and thanks those who help him, especially his assistant coaches, and said ” their trust in our program, coaching style and love for our island,” help students reach their full potential.

Horner didn’t forget his players.

“I can tell you this, they worked hard!” he said. “They understood the part of teamwork and knew that effort beats talent, and it got to the point where we could have played everybody and anybody on the team anywhere! They are a great bunch of young ladies who have so much potential.”

Horner thanks the parents and supportive families, and congratulates the team’s seniors, Kyra Castor Wallace, Augustiro, Rawlins and Keliihoomalu.