Wrestlers Improve Record

Six Molokai boys and girls wrestlers improved their record at last weekend’s tournament held at Kamehameha Maui. Simon Blair (135 lbs), Kevin Dudoit (140), Jordan Hao (285), Mikayla Pico (98), Rizpah Torres-Umi (120) and Charisse Manley (130) all won their matches. Blair and Dudoit remain undefeated this season.

“The guys improved, definitely…Simon Blair won all his matches, still undefeated, that’s pretty significant,” said head coach Randy Manley. “The girls [also] improved from the week before.”

Blair, a senior, said his goal is to win at states. Having gone the last two years without a win, this is his last chance.

“It feels good,” he said of his last season. “But I’m going to miss it.”

The wrestlers need to work harder than last year for where they are seeded, as there are fewer slots to qualify for the state tournament this year. Coach Manley said there are usually three spots in each weight class to go to states, but this year because there is one less team in the league – St. Anthony – there are only two open spots.

“We just need to be able to see improvement every week,” Coach Manley said. “Beating people who have beat us before.”

Other Farmers who earned top places in their respective weight class: Quintin Chow (108B lbs) won fourth; Maverick Kaulia Dela Cruz (114B) second; Jordan Gorospe (120) third; Paul Valdez (125A) second; Kailen Inouye (130A) second; Stanley Kamalii (135B) second; Shauden Pedro (152A) fifth; Julian-Daniel Bicoy (145A) fourth; Charles Kamelamela (189C) third; Kilo Au Lani Kaawa-Gonzales (189C) fourth; Daylen Spencer-Basa (215) fifth; Jordan Hao (285) first. Lady Farmers: Tiandra Negrillo-Magsayo (103) third; Michal Torres-Umi (114) second; Keila Tanner (114) fourth; Kaulanarose Akaka (125) second; Dohna Bicoy (125) fourth; Larriley ‘Tootie’ Rawlins (155) second; Tiffany Tanielu (220) fourth.

The wrestlers head back to Maui to compete in the next Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) tournament Jan. 22 at Maui High.