LIHUE — A few weeks ago, Kanoa Nii slipped from the ranks of the top five golfers for the Kauai High School boys.
“He was not happy,” said Kauai High School boys golf coach Alton Amimoto. “He did not make the top five position and had to play as an individualist.”
The young twin clawed back to try and regain the team spot where his twin brother Kamden holds one of the top slots.
Saturday, Kanoa fired his season-best 78 (41-37) at the Timbers Kauai Hokuala Ocean Course to lead the Kauai High School boys to a team 325.
The score was two strokes better than Kamden (42-38-80) who finished the day tying with AJ Apalla (42-38-80) who returned to the course.
Taryn Taguma (41-52-93) finished a stroke better than Jessica Hreljac (49-45-94) to lead the Kauai High School girls to a team 283 over Kapaa High School whose Naia Burkart (48-51-99) led the Warriors to a team 331.
With the wins, Kauai High School teams marked their third consecutive win for the Kauai Interscholastic Federation league play.
Play moves to the Poipu Bay Golf Course Saturday for the Kauai Interscholastic Federation, Match No. 4 where the first groups tee off starting at noon.
Results
w Girls Team: Kauai 283 – Taryn Taguma (41-52-93), Jessica Hreljac (49-45-94), Sabrina Murphy (53-43-96), Tyra Oshiro (48-50-98).
w Girls Team: Kapaa 331 – Naia Burkart (48-51-99), Samantha Coloma (55-50-105), Alicia Hayakawa (65-62-127).
w Boys Team: Kauai 325 – Kanoa Nii (41-37-78), Kamden Nii (42-38-80), AJ Apalla (42-38-80), Christian Ganir (46-41-87), Deven Kimoto (44-43-87).
w Boys Team: Island School 401 – Nikki Upson (45-44-89), Justin Darnbrough (44-50-94), Reece Valencia (48-49-97), Justice Snyder (55-66-121).
w Boys Team: Kapaa 409 – Kekoa Eisenhour (43-44-87), Kaimana Zarbaugh (49-46-95), Jai Alapai (55-56-111), Tyren Nakamura-Palacio (60-56-114).
w Boys Team: Waimea 424 – Nick Esposo (40-47-87), Ryan Martin (56-51-107), Luke De La Pena (52-60-112), Braden Kobayashi (57-61-118), Kylan Constantino (62-67-129).
w Boys Individualist: Jaydon Kyono-Kau (45-42-87), Riley Gokan-Kau (44-45-89, Mosiah Bautista-Kau (43-46-89), Braeden Yokoyama-Kau (43-47-90), Justen Solatre-Kau (45-50-90), Nathan Marugame-Kau (50-49-99), Jayson Serrano-Kau (55-50-105), Keanu Yamamoto-Wai (57-55-112), Kapena Pimental-Wai (59-59-118).
w Girls Individualist: Daneica Muraoka-Wai (50-60-110), Keesha Brown-Kau (63-62-115), Kelsey Tomimoto-Wai (66-63-129), Kyra Robley-Kau (66-75-141), Breanne Garcia-Kau (71-73-144).
w Boys Nine: Geon Kittredge-Wai (70)
wGirls Nine: Jana Sheatz-KCA (66), Sophia Marvel-KCA (72), Bella Hoyle-KCA 73).