Golf: Waiakea girls continue BIIF reign

Rick Winters/West Hawaii Today Waiakea freshman Mari Ebersole hits a chip shot over the sand and onto the green the final round of the BIIF Individual Tournament on Tuesday at Mauna Kea.
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If Waiakea girls golf coach Sandra Goodale drew it up herself, she’d probably have a hard time writing a better script this season.

The Warriors completed one championship quest Wednesday at Mauna Lani by wrapping up their fourth consecutive BIIF title, while at the same time opening the door to at least one more.

Sophomore Mari Ebersole became the fourth Waiakea golfer to own medalist honors this season with a 79, leading a sweep of the top four spots.

Ebersole, the defending league champion, was playing in her second tournament of the season.

“Her game is coming along,” Goodale said. “She hit the ball well and her putts were there.”

In going 5 for 5 this season, Waiakea has one more regular season meet, Wednesday at Kohanaiki, to play with before the two-round BIIF individual tournament.

“I have four more girls that need one more match to qualify,” Goodale said. “We’re trying to get all the girls ready and peaking for (BIIFs) and the state tournament.”

When Goodale took over the program in 2012, the roster included two future Division I golfers, Ciera Min and Nani Yanagi, but Goodale said “this is the deepest team I’ve had so far.”

She brought four golfers to Wednesday’s meet. Senior Kaelyn Uchida shot an 83 and was second, with junior Tia Kualii, the winner last week at Kona Country Club, another stroke behind. Mandi Komatsu shot a 90.

Those sitting this one out included freshmen Lacey Uchida, a three-time medalist this season, and Kailey Oki, a co-winner, senior Kaley Saludares, a two-time league champion, and junior Jillian Mitsuda.

“It’s a numbers game,” Goodale said.

And it’s easy for her to pick a winning number.

Ah Chong back on top

On the boys side, Kamehameha freshman Dillon Ah Chong carded a 79 for his first victory since an abbreviated tournament at Hilo Municipal to start the season, finishing a shot better than teammate Pono Yanagi

Also at 80 was Isaiah Kanno, who led the way as Waiakea secured its second BIIF team title in three seasons.

Hilo’s Ethan Hironaga came in at 83, but three Waiakea golfers followed: Issac Inouye (86), Aiden Oki (88) and Kobey Babas (90).