Sandra Akita was named the 2010 All-Around Cowgirl by the Kaua‘i All-Girls Rodeo Association during its year-end banquet, Sunday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center. Akita, in garnering the honor, finished by capturing championship buckles for her first finish in Team
Sandra Akita was named the 2010 All-Around Cowgirl by the Kaua‘i All-Girls Rodeo Association during its year-end banquet, Sunday at the Koloa Neighborhood Center.
Akita, in garnering the honor, finished by capturing championship buckles for her first finish in Team Roping-Header, Breakaway Roping, Steer Undecorating, and the 1st D in 3D Pole Bending. She also added a second finish in the 1st D of 3D Barrel Racing, and a third finish in Goat Tying.
Throughout the year, Akita ruled the arena, capturing multiple All Around honors at the KAGRA events.
For her honor, Akita was presented a saddle. Category first place winners earned trophy buckles with second place finishers earning “blinged out” headstall and third place finishers walking off with “blinged out” spur straps and bell boots, or protective leg gear for their horses.
Britni Ludington-Braun earned a buckle for being announced as the 2010 Reserve All-Around Cowgirl. Ludington-Braun also topped the 1st D of 3D Barrel Racing and finished in second place for Goat Tying.
Nancy McMahon rounded out the leaders for the 1st D in Barrels with third place.
Shan Mundon topped the 2nd D in Barrels followed by Robin Medeiros and Laureen Naumu-Balocan.
Summer Malina topped the 3D in Barrels followed by Dena Souza and Tammy Pu‘u rounding out that category winners.
Following Akita as the leader for Team Roping-Header, Rhonda Kaui, a consistent strong header through the year, filled in second place followed by Taylor Ludington.
Joyce Miranda earned top spot in the Team Roping-Heeler followed by Shantel Wong, another consistent strong roper as the heeler, and Ho‘olai Ludington.
Kim Medeiros topped the Goat Tying followed by Ludington-Braun and Akita.
Following Akita in Breakaway Roping, Kelli Carveiro and Kaui rounded out the category leaders.
Coralyn Murayama filled in the No. 3 spot in Steer Undecorating below Akita and Medeiros.
Following Akita in the 1stD of Poles, Wendy Tannery and Taylor Ludington filled in the leaderboard.
McMahon, Mundon and Tierra Rapozo filled the leaders of the 2nd D in Poles with Summer Malina, Medeiros and Pu‘u filling in the leaders of the 3rd D.
Cheree Rapozo posted a 3.05 go for the fastest time in Breakaway Roping to earn the special Frank Medeiros buckle sponsored by Wendy and Cheyanne Tannery.
Miranda was presented the Bounty Steer buckle sponsored by Jerry Nakasone for the Team Roping event.
KAGRA will open its 2011 season in January, 2011 at the CJM Country Stables in Po‘ipu.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
