POIPU — Three Kauai High School golfers — AJ Apalla (38-40), Kamden Nii (40-38) and Kanoa Nii (37-41) — each fired 78 to lead the Kauai High School boys to a team victory Saturday when the Kauai Interscholastic Federation opened
POIPU — Three Kauai High School golfers — AJ Apalla (38-40), Kamden Nii (40-38) and Kanoa Nii (37-41) — each fired 78 to lead the Kauai High School boys to a team victory Saturday when the Kauai Interscholastic Federation opened its 2017 golf season at the Poipu Bay Golf Course.
Joining the trio, Christian Ganir finished with an 82 (42-20) and Deven Kimoto followed a stroke back at 83 (39-44) to give the Red Raider boys a total 316 strokes for the top spot.
Kapaa boys, led by Kekoa Eisenhour firing a 94 (47-47), finished at 396 and Waimea boys, led by Nick Esposo (45-45-90), ended the round at 426.
Taryn Taguma (44-44-88) led the Kauai High School girls team to a team 267, followed by Kapaa, getting a 97 (47-50) from Naia Burkart, and Waimea being led by Daneica Muraoka (57-56-113) to a team 360.
“We welcome the Kauai Christian Academy to the golf program,” said Leo Anguay, the Waimea coach. “The addition of KCA adds to the number of players we can send to the state tournament.”
KCA fielded two players, Sophia Marvel who played the front nine to a 57, and Jana Sheatz who completed the nine holes as an individualist at 49.
Other individualists taking the boys’ course included Reese Valencia (41-44-85) and Henry Scherer (53-59-112) of Island School. Salisa Pegeder, also of Island School, tackled the girls’ course to finish at 116 (58-58).
In addition to the team players, Kauai High School fielded individualists Riley Gokan (43-42-85) who finished tied with Valencia in the boys field. Jussten Solatre (56-59-105), Braeden Yokoyama (52-53-105) and Nathan Marugame (48-58-106) rounded out the Red Raider boys showing.
Following Eisenhour’s lead for the Kapaa boys, Kaison Carvalho netted a 97 (49-48) followed by Justice Chatfield (49-52-101), Jai Alapai (58-46-104) and Riley Pezario (48-60-108).
Waimea boys were led by Esposo, followed by James Caudill (50-58-108), Chris Ishikawa (55-57-112), Hunter Ragasa (58-58-116) and Braden Kobayashi (62-64-126).
On the girls’ course, Kauai’s Taguma was followed a stroke back by Kiri Oshiro (42-47-89) with Tyra Oshiro ending two strokes off the pace at 90 (47-43). Dillyn Sakai (46-57-103) completed the Red Raider girls’ team scoring.
Following Burkart’s lead, Kapaa girls got a 111 (59-52) from Sam Coloma who was five strokes better than Keegan Kessler (60-56-116). Alicia Hayakawa (59-66-125) rounded out the Warrior girls’ team scoring.
Bailee Taeza (56-60-116) finished three strokes off Muraoka’s pace for the Waimea girls’ team. She was followed by Kelsey Tomimoto (63-68-131) and Sasha Sakai (82-79-161).
Individualists playing the front nine with the KCA golfers included Kaeleb Fernandez (Kau 42), Ryan Martin (Wai 42), Jayson Serrano (Kau 44), Jasper Jacinto (Kau 54) and Kynan Ledee (Kap 40).
Girls on the front nine included Malia Alonzo (Kap 44), Jadin Caudill (Wai 45), Cheyenne Duarte (Kau 45), Hana Barker (Kap 46), Gabby Peleras (Wai 52), Breanne Garcia (Kau 54) and Keesha Brown (Kau 56).
The next KIF golf match will be Saturday at the Hokuala Golf Club, with the first groups teeing off at noon.
