Winter Sports Wrap Up Successes

Community Contributed

By Ke`van Dudoit

A big mahalo goes out to all our Molokai High School winter athletes for another great season. Molokai was able to claim two Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championships, in girls basketball and girls canoe paddling. Mikayla Pico, Rizpah Torres-Umi and Charisse Manley were also MIL champions in girls wrestling.

Molokai made state appearances in girls’ basketball, girls’ canoe paddling and boys and girls wrestling. The girls basketball team made their fourth consecutive appearance in the state tournament on Oahu, finishing tenth. Girls canoe paddling made their first appearance at states, after making history with their first ever MIL championship and finished third place. The boys paddling team fought hard in the MIL and finished fifth. The boys wrestling team finished 24th place at states, while the girls finished ninth place with a runner-up finish by Mikayla Pico. First year head coach Lester Delos Reyes led the boys’ basketball team to a runner-up finish in the MIL, nearly upsetting Seabury Hall this season. Another first year coach, Jason Keanini led the Lady Farmers soccer team in some games against division I and II teams this season, finishing fourth in the MIL. The boys and girls swim team had a challenge this season, not having the county pool to practice in, but were still was able to compete and represent Molokai despite the challenges that they were faced with.

Once again, mahalo goes out to our dedicated coaches that put in time, day after day preparing our kids to be student athletes and giving them the opportunity to have life skills that will prepare them for college. Mahalo to the athletes for coming out and participating in sports and for representing Molokai wherever you go for competition. Mahalo to Athletic Director Camie Kimball for providing our teams with ocean, air and ground transportation along with lodging. Mahalo to Athletic Trainer Kurt Go for keeping our athletes healthy and safe from injury. Mahalo to the ohana that allow the kids to participate in athletics and for always supporting them. And finally to the community for the love and support that is given to our student athletes, without you the kids have no one to play for. They represent our beautiful island of Molokai whether it’s at home or away.

The spring athletic season is just beginning: boys’ volleyball, baseball, softball, tennis and track and field. These athletes and coaches are preparing to finish up the 2010-2011 school year with a bang. Check out the Molokai High School Athletic Facebook Page, with updates on our Molokai athletes every week. This is the only Molokai athletic page that keeps you updated whether the teams are playing at home or away on a different island, so join the Molokai High Athletics Facebook Page today.