LIHU‘E — Sammy Morretino took the top spot in the Drop Knee division and now sits in first place for the season in both Drop Knee and Open Men’s divisions after the Kaua‘i Bodyboarding Association’s second event of the season,
LIHU‘E — Sammy Morretino took the top spot in the Drop Knee division and now sits in first place for the season in both Drop Knee and Open Men’s divisions after the Kaua‘i Bodyboarding Association’s second event of the season, Jan. 22 at First Halves in Kekaha.
Morretino reached the final heat in both divisions for the day, nabbing that first, plus a second-place showing in Open Men’s behind top finisher Michael Sylva.
That’s back-to-back seconds for Morretino in the Open division, good for 1,720 points on the season. He leads Abe Balmores by 110 points. Balmores took first at the season-opener at Kealia, then an equal-fifth at First Halves, for a total of 1,610 points.
Gino Marchino is in third overall after his third-place finish in Kekaha, while Pohaku Kekaualua took fourth and now sits in fourth for the season.
Jordan Garcia, Anthony Irek, Kenui Topp, Donovan Cameron-Ray and Alan Hoffman all tied with Balmores for equal-fifth.
Nick Wehrly, Iona Lo‘i, Brian O’Brien, Storm Magsanay, Danny D, Matt Holzman, Bradlee Titus and Axel M all competed in the Open division at First Halves and added points to their season totals.
Mark Silva took third in the Drop Knee division and is tied with Morretino for season leader, each now with a first- and third-place showing, while Landon took second place and Keena McCullen was fourth in Kekaha’s final heat.
Garcia, Danny D, Kekaualua and Titus all tied for equal-fifth.
McCullen was the winner of the Stand Up division, with Punohu Kekaulua taking second and Hoffman in third.
Eli Duar was the top finisher in the Junior Men division, while Luka Lo‘i and Koa Kallai took second and third, respectively.
KBA organizer Debra Kekaualua said conditions were really good all day as the crew gathered at 8 a.m. and remained at the beach until 4 p.m.
Everyone in attendance chowed on some free grinds, with cereal or musubi for breakfast, fresh laulau lunch plates, stew and rice and an all-day sandwich station.
The season’s third event is slated for March 12 at Pillars in Anahola.
The KBA thanks all volunteers who help make the events possible, especially its top sponsor, the YMCA.
• David Simon, sports writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or dsimon@kauaipubco.com.
