Records set at Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Ninja Warrior Challenge

KOLOA — Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i Charter School kindergartner Keegan Carolan was obviously proud of completing the Ninja Warrior Competition obstacle course set up in the school’s playgrounds.

He flexed his arms and took on a muscle man stance after being announced the Top Finisher for the Kindergarten class. Carolan completed the course in 1 minute, 35 seconds for the honor.

“This is just the first of three days of competition,” said David “Coach DJ” Adams, director for Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i. “Keegan is just one of 34 participants from grades Kindergarten through Grade 6, and we have two more days of competition.”

Top finishers for Grade 1 saw Avenly Castle rise to the top of the girls with a 1:26 run through for Top Female honors, and Demitrius Reilly matching Castle’s run for Top Male in that grade level.

Sawyer Kimball, the Top Male for Grade Four, set a course record with his 1:03 performance, three seconds ahead of Grade Four Top Female Katalina Tapia who ran the age-level course in 1:06.

“All of the good people on Kaua‘i have been searching for some sense of normal in our lives, and being able to enjoy certain events that we have missed for the past five months,” Adams said. “We definitely feel the same at our school and accordingly planned the fun challenge for our keiki here on campus in the scenic Kahili Valley.”

The Ninja Warrior Competition was open to all learners at Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i, and there was no entry fee assessed.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for our keiki to showcase their skills and are excited to host this event,” Adams said. “As this obstacle course competition is naturally physically distanced, we will be following all mandates, directives, and expectations from the health and government officials.”