LIHUE — The Kauai High School boys air rifle team did not realize the historic value of their victory on Tuesday at the 2024 Hawaii Army National Guard Hawaii High School Athletic Association air riflery championships on Oahu.
The boys air rifle team finished the state championships in first place after collecting 2,091-47 points at the Neal Blaisdell Arena. This total was just seven points better than the second place Kaiser High School, who posted a final 2,084-51 points.
“They worked hard,” said Kauai coach Keith Hornos. “They just kept saying, ‘We can do this.’ They must’ve wanted this. This title is the first time a team outside of Honolulu won first place. It’s also the first time a KIF team has earned the state title in this sport.”
The Kauai High School girls team finished the state competition in fourth place with 2,057-44 points. Pearl City High School girls team topped the competition with 2,181-63 points.
“We are so very proud of our girls team to have finished fourth, and Caylee Garma has placed herself amongst the best in the state within the top 12, and the highest a KIF female shooter has ever placed, and bypass the longest record holder Brooke Hornos,” said Coach Marcela Hornos on Tuesday while waiting for the boys relay to set up. “Kauai High boys will put us on the board.”
And, the Red Raider boys delivered.
“And, there it is,” Coach Marcela said. “Kauai High School boys air rifle team just made history! They are the state champions, representing the KIF at the HHSAA tournament. Jacob Andres placed No. 2 and Brayden Bartholomew finished 9th. We are so proud of them.
Garma was the leading girls team shooter, finishing the state tournament tied for 11th place with Serah Yogi of Pearl City High School. Both girls finished with 539 points. Yogi outpointed Garma 191-188 in the prone position only to have Garma outpoint Yogi 168-165 in the standing position. Both shooters tied at 183 in the kneeling position.
Other shooters making up the girls team included Sharba Holi, who ended with 523-14 points, Taylee Yoshimoto with 509-5 points and Lea Ramos with 486-9 points.
Coach Marcela said Waimea shooter Rochelle Uri finished in 33rd overall with 522 points, but placed in good position in the JROTC rankings.
The state champion Red Raider boys were led by Jacob Andres who finished second overall with 631.7 points, just four points better than third place finisher Ian Sloman of Moanalua, who posted a final 627.5 points.
Red Raider Brayden Bartholomew finished tied for ninth place with Anson Li of Kalani High School. Both shooters ended with 528.0 points. Bartholomew tied Li during shooting in the prone position, and outpointed Li in the standing position 179-4 to Li’s 165-2.
Other shooters on the boys team included Andrew Sadamitsu, who finished with 526-8 points, and Keegan Ushio with 493-8 points.
