Kamehameha senior Devez Aniol and Hilo senior Shayden Kang finished first and second at the HHSAA air riflery tournament on Tuesday at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.
“It’s a big blessing,” Aniol said. “I never really thought this would happen, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of my amazing team, coaches, family, and friends who all supported me these past four years.”
Aniol compiled a 645.7 point total and was the top scorer in the standing and kneeling positions. Kang finished with 636.5 points and trailed Devez 561-546 through the qualification rounds (prone, standing, and kneeling).
In the final shoot, Kang, the BIIF champion, outscored Devez 90.5 to 84.7. Kang had the highest total in the final shoot, but Aniol had too big of a lead.
Aniol relied on his routine but also credited all the lessons learned from the past.
“The main focus I had was just to do my best because it was my last match,” he said. “I just kept focusing on my breathing and trying to stay calm.
“I’d like to say that different lessons from my two coaches, coach Tracy Aruga and coach Paul Chang, helped, and it all goes back to my freshman year and how all the shooters before me helped me become the shooter I am today.”
One of the biggest rewards, Aniol pointed out, is the close-knit BIIF community.
“One takeaway was coming off the line, knowing that I’ve finished the last match of my career and seeing all my teammates, coaches, and team parents there supporting me,” he said. “Although many of my family and friends weren’t there, I know that they were supporting me from afar.”
Other BIIF shooters were KSH’s Laiku Paleka, 22nd, 526.0; Waiakea’s Skylar Soultz, 28th, 520; Waiakea’s Logan Balingit, 37th, 515; Waiakea’s Craden Astrande, 40th, 509; Waiakea’s Devyn Capellas, 44th, 506; Christian Liberty’s Adam Sako, 47th, 504; and KSH’s Dylan Rosehill, 53rd, 499.
Waiakea placed fifth with 2,050 points. Mid-Pacific won the team title with 2,144 points.
Waiakea’s Megan Nakamoto was fourth, the highest finish for the BIIF girls, with 623.8 points. Kalaheo’s Madi Marr won the championship with 633.2 points.
Other BIIF shooters were KSH’s Kanani Araki, seventh, 617.9; KSH’s McKenna Hewitt, 617; Waiakea’s Madison Carvalho, 25th, 524; KSH’s Beyonce Corpuz, 26th, 519; Waiakea’s Jhordyn Muranaka-Ozeki, 38th, 512; Hilo’s Haylee Nishijima, 43rd, 509; Waiakea’s Kiani Aburamen, 45th, 509; KSH’s Elena-Marie Waianuhea 57th, 494.
Kamehameha placed fifth with 2,089 points, and Waiakea was sixth at 2,083 points. MPI took the team title with 2,118 points.
