WAILUA — Kauai High School golfers Kamden Nii was two-over par at the crossing and Jessica Hreljac was three-over, Saturday when the Kauai Interscholastic Federation launched its 2018 season at the Wailua Golf Course.
Kamden Nii finished with a 79 (38-41), and Hreljac ended with an 83 (39-44) to lead the Kauai High School boys and girls team to top honors. The Red Raider boys finished with a team 337 over Island School’s team 356.
Hreljac, finishing two strokes off Taryn Taguma (45-40-85) led the Kauai girls to a team 271 over Kapaa High School (323) whose pace was set by Naia Burkart (46-49-95), and Waimea High School (367) whose Kelsey Tomimoto (50-53-103) set the pace.
Island School, led by senior Reece Valencia (41-42-83) was the only boys team to challenge Kauai High School on the boys’ course as Waimea and Kapaa both failed to have the minimum number of golfers for team scoring.
“It’s good to be able to be qualified for team scoring again,” said Sam Pratt, KIF tournament director. “Reece is a senior, and we have some golfers playing nine holes so the Voyagers should be able to build for the future.”
Alton Amimoto, Kauai boys coach, was satisfied with the Raider golfers in the strong trade winds.
“They did alright,” Amimoto said. “But this year, we’re going to have a strong challenge from Island School. It’s going to be a very interesting season.”
The next KIF golf match tees off starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Puakea Golf Course.
Results
w Kauai High School Boys: 337 – Christian Ganir (42-412-83), Kamden Nii (38-41-79), Kanoa Nii (45-42-87), Jussten Solatre (47-42-89), Braeden Yokoyama (47-41-88)
w Island School Boys: 356 – Justin Darnbrough (46-45-91), James Pratt (50-45-95), Henry Scherer (44-49-93), Niki Upson (45-44-89), Reece Valencia (41-42-83)
w Kauai High School Girls: 271 – Keesha Brown (55-56-111), Jessica Hreljac (39-44-83), Sabrina Murphy (512-52-103), Taryn Taguma (45-40-85)
w Kapaa High School Girls: 323 – Naia Burkart (46-49-95), Samantha Coloma (54-52-106), Alicia Hayakawa (62-60-122)
w Waimea High School Girls: 367 – Daneica Muraoka (68-63-131), Sasha Sakai (67-66-133), Kelsey Tomimoto (50-53-103)
w Boys: Jaydon Kyono (Kau) 45-47-92, Kekoa Eisenhour (Kap) 46-48-94, Jayson Serrano (Kau) 55-51-106, Nathan Marugame (Kau) 57-51-108, Braden Kobayashi (Wai) 53-55-108, Kaimana Zarbaugh (Kap) 55-56-111), Ryan Martin (Wai) 60-54-114, Tyren Nakamura-Palacio (Kap) 54-62-116
w Boys 9 Holes: Justice Snyder (IS) 52, Kylan Constantino (Wai) 54, Max Rovinsky (IS) 64, Geon Kittredge (Wai) 66, Tallon Jefferies (Kap) 70
w Girls: Kyra Robles (Kau) 59-50-109, Breanne Garcia (Kau) 63-67-130
w Girls 9 Holes: Jana Sheatz (KCA) 70, Sophia Marvel (KCA) 71
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Dennis Fujimoto, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.