LIHU‘E — The Kauai High School girls air riflery team is heading to the state competition. Just 12 points separated the Red Raiders and the Menehune in the shootoff last Wednesday at Kaua‘i High School, Kaua‘i taking the Kaua‘i Interscholastic
LIHU‘E — The Kauai High School girls air riflery team is heading to the state competition.
Just 12 points separated the Red Raiders and the Menehune in the shootoff last Wednesday at Kaua‘i High School, Kaua‘i taking the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation title and the right to represent Kaua‘i with an 1141-1129 edge.
“This was amazing,” said Waimea Coach Victor Aguilar. “All 16 girls shooting finished over 200 points. The difference must have been the timing because our girls had a lot on their plate including a Junior ROTC big inspection, homecoming week and other commitments.”
Waimea’s Sherry Ann Singson piled up the highest score of the day with a 239 (91-79-69) to match up with Kaua‘i’s highest pointer, Kristyn Yamamotoya who finished with a 236 (90-82-64).
Kendra Ishida, one of the Waimea leaders, followed with a 231 (79-79-73), matched by Kaua‘i’s top shooter, Brianne “Malu” Hornos who also finished with a 231 (82-82-67).
The swing came in the bottom three shooters where Kaua‘i went up as Britney Fernandes (89-78-58) and Meghan Fujimoto (90-77-58) each carded 225 followed by Sara Koide finishing with a 224 (85-84-55).
“It helps that three of the Kaua‘i girls also posted personal bests at the shootout,” Aguilar said. “They’re peaking at the right time.”
Waimea’s bottom three included Jackie Taylor (88-74-58) and Angelica Tran (77-78-65) each netting 220 and Kimberly Aguilar ending with a 219 (79-76-57).
“This is almost unbelievable,” said Kaua‘i first-time coach Keith Hornos. “All season, the girls struggled with the 1,000-point mark, and to hit a season-best 1141 and win, the credit goes to them for stepping up to the plate when they needed to.”
With the win, Kaua‘i’s girls will join the Waimea boys team, the KIF champions in that division, at the Civilian Marksmanship Program 2010 Air Riflery Championships at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall, Tuesday on O‘ahu.
Island School coach Sean Magoun said J-Riley Louis, the consistent top shooter for them, will be able to represent the school and the KIF as the High Point Shooter at the state meet.
