KEAAU — Kamehameha senior Kayla Araki polished her BIIF wrestling career with perfection, going 4 for 4 in the championships.
She pinned Kealakehe’s Tianna Avanila in the first round for the 155-pound title on Saturday at Koaia Gym.
“There was a lot of pressure on me this year to complete that medal collection,” Araki said. “I really, really wanted to get on the mat, but I sprained my ankle during practice and was on crutches for the week. Every single day, I came in for rehab.
“It was just so emotional for me. It’s my last year, and my teammates have helped me, my family supported me, and I wouldn’t be here without my trainer (Amy Shirk).”
Araki can’t match the BIIF legacy of 2012 Kamehameha graduate Megan Aina, who won 8 of 8 league golds in wrestling and judo and a HHSAA state crown in each as well.
But at least, Araki can come close and possibly top Aina with more state gold.
She’s now 6 for 6 at BIIFs in the two sports and already has a judo state gold, won last year after two earlier state bronze finishes.
Araki also has a pair of state bronzes in wrestling with only gold missing. She moves one step closer to her mission of medal collection at the state tournament, which will be held Feb. 17-18 on Oahu.
She’s prepared herself well, wrestling up in weight and placing second at a national tournament last October in Las Vegas. Also in December, Araki defeated Keaau’s Ivory Ayers in the 168 division final at Punahou’s Pa’ani Challenge on Oahu.
And if there isn’t enough pressure on her shoulders, Araki isn’t only chasing her own legacy, but the league’s reputation as well.
The BIIF hasn’t produced a state gold wrestling medalist the past three years, the longest drought since 1979-81. Welina Tong, a 2013 Kamehameha graduate, won gold at 175 pounds in 2013.
When judo starts in the spring, Araki can shift her attention to capping her BIIF career with a 7 of 7 mark. Concussion symptoms sidelined her from the BIIF judo championships her freshman season.
Then she can hunt another judo state gold, but first there’s a coveted wrestling state gold at stake. And Araki is feeling hungry.
Kamehameha coach Keith Laeha pointed out that’s the best part about Araki, who won BIIFs at 145 pounds last year.
“She’s self-motivated and has a high drive to succeed,” he said. “We don’t have to motivate her. She motivates herself.”
‘Riders roll
Kealakehe repeated as the BIIF champion and claimed six golds: Charlotte Taylor (112 pounds), Danakai Reilly-Gober (122), Gionne Aniban-Morse (132), Isabelle Tayo (138), Maimiti Otare (184), and Roxie Umu (225).
Taylor, a senior, secured a three-peat while Aniban-Morse and Umu repeated.
Kamehameha, which placed second 184.5 points to 177, produced five gold medalists: Mia Lum (102), Ashley Falces (107), Kaua Albino-Kaupu (117), Kasey Pule (127), and Araki (155).
Lum and Pule repeated while Albino-Kaupu changed her medal color from last year’s silver.
Taylor took third as a freshman and is already looking forward to her future.
“It’s really great to show all my hard work,” she said. “I got accepted into the Air Force Academy, and I’ll be in the 2021 class. My whole family is in the Army.
“Last year at states, I got fourth. I’m hoping to get third or better.”
Keaau senior Ivory Ayers also pulled off a three-peat in the 168 class, beating Konawaena’s Kapoina Bailey.
Best battle
Kamehameha’s Pule and Kealakehe’s Berri Lagmay were the only defending champs to face off. Lagmay won BIIF gold at 122 pounds last year and Pule was the defending league 127-pound champion.
Pule won 7-5 in overtime to earn her lone victory against Lagmay, who won the two previous matches.
“She’s the only person I couldn’t beat,” said Pule, who took bronze as a sophomore. “At practice I would take shots, but in matches I wouldn’t. I was scared to get sprawled on. But she took a shot, and I caught her, got her back and my two points (for the win).
“I’m kind of glad that she beat me twice. It reminded me that I have things to work on. She was my best competition and helped me for states. She’s really tough, and she made me better. I respect her.”
