LIHUE — Gwen Maeha, a senior at Leilehua High School, not only won the top girls individualist award Friday, she made her mark during the Billy Tees Hawaii High School Athletic Association 2017 bowling championship at Kauai Bowl.
Maeha rolled a 9-game 1,799, a new tournament highest series en route to nailing her third straight individualist title. The former mark was 1,787.
Dana Murata, a freshman at Kapaa High School, finished at No. 22 with a 1,451 pinfall.
The Pearl City girls bowling team, facing a 41-pin shortfall following the opening day, overcame the deficit to claim the top team position on a total 7272 pinfall after nine games.
An HHSAA official said the unique facet of the Pearl City win was the team did not qualify for the state as a team. Instead, they qualified six individuals which allowed them to bowl as a team.
“This is one of the greatest comebacks in high school bowling,” said Pearl City coach Tony Madrona. “The last time we were on Kauai, we left with the title. We had two bad years and here we are back on Kauai, and with the trophy, again. I’m really proud of these girls.”
The Chargers’ team was led by team captain Sydni Inafuku who finished as No. 6 with a 1,604 pinfall in the medal count. She got help from Christine Madrona who finished No. 13 at 1,504, and Kaylee Dela Pena, No. 14 at 1,494.
“We have a team where the girls gave 110 percent,” said Pearl City coach Millie Gomes. “They only had positive thoughts, and worked hard to get this.”
Waimea High School girls team, representing the Kauai Interscholastic Federation, finished the two-day roll at No. 7 with a 6,078 pinfall.
For the boys, Campbell freshman Josiah Benner-Eslit broke down when he was announced as the top individualist with an 1,841 pinfall over nine games, 48 pins better than second place finisher Kai Yamada, a sophomore at the Mid Pacific Institute who rolled a 1,793.
Jamie Mararagan, the team captain for the Waimea boys team, finished the series in No. 18 with a 1,628 to lead the KIF individualists.
The Mililani Trojans earned the boys team title with a nine-game 8,020, led by No. 10 Rien Sato (1,666), and No. 11 Akira Sanco (1,660).
Kauai High School boys team, representing the KIF, finished No. 6 with a 7,021 pinfall, led by No. 41 Alvin Reis with a 1,539 pinfall.
Results (medalists)
Girls individualists: Gwen Maeha (Lei) 1,799, Kourtney Adams (Camp) 1,719; Saige Yamada (MidPac) 1,625; Kiana Saito (Aiea) 1,613; Raquel Takayama (Mary) 1,604; Sydni Inafuku (PC) 1,604; Brandee Doi (KSBE-Kap) 1,583, Brandi Chun (IslPac) 1,532; Seobeen Chang (Iolani) 1,525; Mariele Dela Gente (Camp) 1,517; Kaitlyn Matsushima (HIBap) 1,515; Chloe Fernandez (Damien) 1,508; Christine Madrona (PC) 1,504; Kaylee Dela Pena (PC) 1,494; Amanda Jennings (Mary) 1,487.
Girls teams: Pearl City (7,272), Campbell (7,248), Iolani (7,235), Leilehua (7,099), Moanalua (6,743), Waimea (6,078), KS-Maui (5,971), KS-Hawaii (5,459).
Boys individualists: Josiah Benner-Eslit (Camp) 1,841; Kai Yamada (MidPac) 1,793; Jake Brett (Kapo) 1,749; Reese Shimatsu (Castle) 1,733; Hunter Lum (StLouis) 1,715; Dylan Peters (Kal) 1,714; Chase Fernandez (Lei) 1,691; Chasten Pojas (Lei) 1,689; Anthony Raquedan (Damien) 1,676; Rien Sato (Mil) 1,666; Akira Sanco (Mil) 1,660; Trevor Tamura (Iol) 1,659; Richard Armstrong (Rad) 1,653; Justin Tran (Dam) 1,642; Keegan McCleerey (Waip) 1,638.
Boys teams: Mililani (8,020), Kapolei (7,970), Castle (7,883), Iolani (7,719), KS-Kapalama (7,308), Kauai (7,021), Konawaena (6,775), KS-Maui (6,478).
