×
×
homepage logo

Senior project brings new mat to Luna Wrestling Room

By Staff | Mar 24, 2011

From left, Todd Hayase, Cherise Milanio and Conrad Bolor admire the new mat in Lahainaluna High School’s Wrestling Room.

LAHAINA — It has been a banner year for Lahainaluna High School wrestling.

In finishing as the top public school in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Tournament, as well as capturing their sixth straight Maui Interscholastic League boys championship and second consecutive girls title, the Lahainaluna team had firmly established itself as one of the top programs in the state.

Last month, with the unveiling of a new mat for the Wrestling Room in the Jimmie H. Greig Gymnasium on campus, Luna wrestling has solidified that sterling standing for years to come.

The 51-foot by 40-foot double-sided mat from the Reselite company came at a cost of approximately $18,000. Funds were raised in a campaign spearheaded by Lahainaluna wrestling team manager Cherise Milanio.

A senior this year, 17-year-old Milanio took on the daunting task as her senior project about ten months ago.

With the support of the coaching staff, boyfriend Holden Mowat (a 2010 wrestling state champion) and the community, Milanio met the financial goal and kept the wheels turning on the project to its completion last month.

Luna wrestling coach Todd Hayase said, “I am very proud of Cherise in taking on this project and organizing many of our fundraising events for the season. She experienced the tight-knit community and the ‘ohana support of Lahainaluna. She gained valuable experience in goal setting, organization, time management, communication and accounting/marketing. The team will miss all of her help and organization of the program for years to come. We wish her all the best.”

Milanio and Coach Todd expressed their special thanks to Dan O’Hanlon and the Frank & Gertrude Doyle Foundation, Leslie Hiraga and the Lahainaluna High School Foundation, Peter & Deborah Martin Foundation, Minit Stop, Dorvin Leis Co., Bob Kawaguchi, Noosh Nishihara, Neal Fujiwara, Lahaina Hongwanji BWA and Kyodan, Dave Minami and Alvin Panlasigui of West Maui Land Co., Tom Kunishige of West Maui Veterans Club, First Hawaiian Bank, West Maui Community Federal Credit Union, Lahainaluna Athletic Department and Director Scott Soldwisch, Catherine and Eric Alba, Joseph Bock, Wayne Hirata, Darius Keyhani and the entire wrestling community and ‘ohana.

“We cannot thank you enough for all your donations and support. Imua,” said Coach Todd.