Wrestling Story

Kaela Shiigi
April 15, 2009
Filed under Sports

Both the girls and boys wrestling team took 6th place while four individuals earned individual titles at the HHSAA Wrestling State Championships from February 20th to the 21st at the Neal Blaisdell Arena.
Truong Vu ’09, Ian Akamine ’11, and Andy Chung ’09 captured their first state championships at the 114, 140, 145 weight classes respectively. National champion Olivia Fatongia ’09 earned her second title. In addition, Alice Chow ’09 took third, Kari Watase ’10 took fifth, and two time state champion Keiko Akamine ’09 took sixth after forfeiting her final two matches due to an illness.
Vu and Ian Akamine earned their titles by upsetting both the first and second seeded wrestlers in their weight classes. “It justified all of the hard work we put into training,” said Ian Akamine. Chung ended his senior season undefeated. Fatongia won her championship match with a pin early in the second round.
This season has been challenging for the team because of many injuries and illnesses. They also had to adapt to a new head coach, Athletic Director Mr. Carl Schorers. Capitan Keiko Akamine said, “Even though everyone was hurt and sick all year, they went out there with heart, and everyone gave their all.”
Congratulations wrestlers on a great season!