Dana Murata, a freshman at Kapaa High School, and the leading female individualist to the Billy Tees Hawaii High School bowling championships rolled a 194 to earn High Game honors last Thursday when the Kauai Interscholastic Federation rolled its last
Dana Murata, a freshman at Kapaa High School, and the leading female individualist to the Billy Tees Hawaii High School bowling championships rolled a 194 to earn High Game honors last Thursday when the Kauai Interscholastic Federation rolled its last game of the season.
“The results for the season were already set,” said Todd Ozaki, a coach for the Waimea High School teams. “However, all the schools continued to cheer for each other — just as loud, if not louder — as they did all season. The scores weren’t released until only recently. It was awesome.”
The state bowling championships take place at Kauai Bowl starting Thursday and continuing until Friday afternoon.
Representing the KIF, the Kauai High School boys team, including Alan Bueno who copped High Game honor with a 212 pinfall. Other members of the boys team include Elijah Kim, Ryan Mones, Braden Passmore, Alvin Reis and Aaryn Suan.
The Kauai boys also copped team high game honors at 2486 followed by Waimea at 2358, Kapaa at 1883, and the Kauai Christian Academy’s two rollers finishing at 626.
Joining the Kauai High School boys team, Kalani Young of Kapaa will be joined by Waimea’s edmelle Medina and Jaime Mararagan, the Menehune boys team captain, as individualists.
The Waimea girls team, capturing the KIF title earlier finished the week on top with a 2158 pinfall followed by Kauai at 1962, Kapaa at 1896, and the two KCA rollers finishing at 639.
Team members for the Waimea High School girls who will represent the KIF at the state championships include Daleijah “Pomai” Campos Banasihan, Jana Luis, Kiarra Palacio, Starlynn Ripley, Carla Mae Satumba, and Alysha Palaco.
Murata as the top girl individualist will be joined by Kauai High School’s Kaylee Braun and Krysten Padasdao.
“Waimea has 12 seniors this year,” Ozaki said. “Coach Keiko Sagawa and I were very emotional — “balling our eyes out” would be an accurate description — as we watched our entire 22-bowler roster group together to watch the last few shots of the night. The kids took notice of us, and following the last ball, 22 of them, all at once, turned and ran towards us for the biggest group hug I’ve ever been a part of. Being near the bottom of the pile, I couldn’t see what else was happening, but I could hear the other schools celebrating and enjoying the moment, too. It was very special. I’ll never forget that.”
