Kauai High School wrestling coach Paul Shindell had his turn on the mat Saturday during the spring season wrestling tournament hosted by the Westside Wrestling Club at the Clem Gomes Gym in Waimea.
“It’s been a long time since I wrestled real matches with a referee,” Shindell said, following his win in the High School/Open division.
Shindell was one of the many wrestlers ranging in ages from 6 through 52 years old who took the mat in 29 matches in weight classes ranging from 50 to 180 pounds.
“It’s great to see so many current and future Kauai Interscholastic Federation wrestlers training and competing during this time of the year as we continue to develop the sport at the high school level,” said Coach Mac Pigott, KIF wrestling tournament director.
Wrestlers from three of the four KIF member schools were on the mat along with students who listed their schools as Kapaa Middle School, Waimea Canyon Middle School, Kapaa Elementary School, King Kaumuali‘i Elementary School, Eleele Elementary School, and one who listed home school.
“We had 52-year-old Bob Risley list his school as ‘old,’” Pigott said.
“That’s wrestling,” Pigott added. “Wrestling is for everyone — boy, girl, big, small, old and young. The future belongs to our youth and I loved seeing so many elementary and middle school wrestlers participating. That is how we will build a competitive high school program.”
This weekend is described as a gap week with officials encouraging wrestlers to participate in the Maui USA Wrestling Youth State Championships.
Kauai spring season wrestling resumes May 12 at the Kapaa High School cafeteria.
Weekly practices take place on the East side on Wednesday and Friday, and on the Westside on Tuesday and Thursday.
Spring Season Wrestling Results
• Youth 55-80 pounds: Addi Jensen, Krista Torcato, Dane Jensen
• Youth 70-100 pounds: Loea Keana‘aina, Rush Nikolas, Ryder Armitage
• Youth 100-135 pounds: Keanu Ebesu, Herman Santos, Meah Jensen
• High School 130-145 pounds: Joji Miner-Ho, Danielle Santos, Tessa Jensen
