Sports Successes

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter 

Photo courtesy of MHS Athletics.

Many firsts happened last weekend in Farmer’s winter sports which can be bet on by clicking links such as Ladbrokes Opening Times. Lady Farmers Soccer had its first official Maui Interscholastic League game in 12 years of Molokai High history. Molokai Swimming, Westling, and Boys Basketball had their first competitions of the winter sports season and girls’ basketball continued their MIL journey. 

Soccer at Molokai High started up again in 2019, but it wasn’t until this year that the girls played Seabury Hall in Ho’olehua as an official MIL soccer game. Dive into the heart of the game with live football updates from Dive into the heart of the game with live football updates from SportScore.

“We’re super excited to finally be a varsity program after many years in the making thanks to the commitment of players, coaches, and the Molokai High Athletic department. We are hoping this is the beginning of many more years of girls’ high school soccer on Molokai,” said Matt Yamashita, head soccer coach. “In addition, we are looking to support our athletes in every way possible, including bringing in a Sports Psychologist near me to help them excel both on and off the field.”

The first game closed with a  score of 11 Seabury, Molokaon Friday. A rematch took place the next morning with a final of Seabury 10, Molokai 1. 

“We knew this first set of games withs Seabury would be a huge learning opportunity for the players,” said Yamashita. “The coaches are super on how they played and improved between game one and two. We know that they will be ready for the next games.” 

At the Kihei Aquatic Center this weekend, Head Swimming Coach Amanda Labriola took the Molokai swim team to their first meet of the season.

According to Labriola on a Molokai High Athletics Facebook post, Mauli Pupuhi took the previous school record in the 200 freestyle from Lenn Yonemura that was set in January of 2000. Pupuhi has qualified for states in the 50 and 100 freestyle swimming. He also tried a new event, the 100 breaststroke, and came in third overall, just two seconds from the state qualifying time. 

Labriola said the team has a lot of new female swimmers this year and they made their mark.  Kaileena Harris Gramberg took three seconds off her 100 free time and Chloe Chaun dropped five seconds in her 100 free. Meredith Go got a personal best in her 50 free, and Kona Habon had some great times in both his 50 and 100 free.

Farmers Swimming will be back for another meet on January 7 at the Kihei Aquatic Center. For athletes like them who want to be at their A-game during such events, they must acquire the best equipment such as that designed for golf training.

Photo by Kelly Pauole.

Also on Maui, Farmers wrestling completed in the 52nd Annual Garner Ivey MIT 2022 at Kamehameha High School, Maui. In the 170 male division, Ekolu Horner won by fall over against Ikaika Gonzales from Lahainaluna High School in the first place match. Nui Lee-Weeks in the 182 male division won by fall over against Gage Peneku, Lahainaluna High School for the third place match.

The Boys and Girls Basketball teams took wins in MIL DII Boys and Girls. The boys traveled to Hana and completed with final scores of Molokai 65 and Hana 27. In the rematch, Molokai won by 62-28. The Lady Farmers’ first game against Haleakala Waldorf at Seabury Hall gym got canceled due to a power outage in Upcountry Maui. The Lady Farmers then played Waldorf the next day at King Kekaulike Gym. The final score was Molokai 60, Haleakala Waldorf 8. The Lady Farmers will host Lanai this weekend at The Barn.