Justice Gonzalves of Napili won the bronze medal in the 40-pound Menehune class. PHOTO BY TOM COOPER.

LAHAINA – After winning historic state championships at the high school level in both the girls and boys divisions this year, the West Side youth wrestling programs solidified the pathway to continued success for Lahainaluna with strong performances at the Hawaii USA Championships two weeks ago at Lahaina Civic Center.

Over 550 youth competitors from Maui and Oahu took part in the highlight event of the year that showcases the tsunami of kids ages 5-18 participating in one of the fastest growing sports in the country.

It is no surprise and nothing new to see the Lahaina Roughnecks, Napili Surfriders, and the Lahaina Red Raiders – the newest of the West Side clubs – all have outstanding efforts at Hawaii’s premiere youth wrestling competition.

After the final whistle had blown on Saturday evening, the Roughnecks, with 80 points, stood tall in second place next to Central Maui Style, with the Surfriders in sixth place with 50 points and the Red Raiders totaling seven points, finishing in 19th place.

Longtime Lahaina coach Conrad Bolor explained that the Roughnecks faced some stiff competition, particularly from several Oahu wrestlers, that knocked vital points off their team total.

With excellent youth programs, the future of wrestling is bright in West Maui.

“Yeah, we faced some tough opponents in the early rounds that took some big points away. We still had a strong effort as our kids – all 62 of them – put up their best throughout the season,” said Coach Conrad, who was assisted by a long list of dedicated assistants, including Steve Marugaki, Ashley Hayase, Jason Hayase, Nathan Williams, Todd Hayase, Neal Nakata, Zane Monteleone, Kai Keahi, Donovan Seino, Darren Koyama, Brandon Ueki and Sheldon Tateyama.

According to Bolor, the success of the Roughnecks can also be attributed to the growing number of Luna alumni wrestlers giving back to the program that nurtured their memorable high school careers. That list includes Wayne Alibin, Kaile Kron, Christian Balagso, Conrad Bolor Jr., Diamond Freitas, Alexis Encinas, Ivey and Ira Navarro, Breeana Dudoit Vasquez, Justin Inovejas, Kainalu Estrella and Lucas Tamayose.

Napili head coach Kim Ball concurred in saying, “It was great to have the high school seniors come back and give back to the program we’ve had here at the Napili Community Center. Three of them were state champions, and it was inspiring to the kids, parents and coaches to see them now on their way to college with wrestling scholarships after seeing them begin as youth wrestlers here. College scholarships was never a goal of ours when we started the club 22 years ago, and it’s just an awesome byproduct of having dedicated kids committed to the program.”

Coach Kim praised his assistants and the parent support group that prepared meals and helped with trips to Hana and Molokai for meets/camping trips that have defined the family-oriented attention of the Surfriders.

That list included Tom and Tina Cooper, Team Mom Celeste Olson, Mandy Gillcoat, Lee Aaron Yap, Noah Drazkowski, Jesse Dudoit, Jacob Opunui and Nick Nunez.

Team Island Fitness (Justin Phillips, Frank Kozub, Holly Kozub, and John Lopez) won LahainaTown Action Committee’s third annual Golf Tournament on May 9. First prize was an ocean view room at the Royal Lahaina Resort and tickets to the resort’s luau. The event is a benefit for Lahaina Junior Golf.

The Luna alumni coaches were Thomas Rosen St. John, Breeana Dudoit Vasquez, Anika Pascual, Kapu Jaramillo, Precious Jaramillo and Ikua Tihada.

The Lahaina Red Raiders organization was led by Terry Shibao and had a roster of about 20 kids that practiced in the King Kamehameha III Elementary School cafeteria.

Below is a list of the state placers from the three West Side clubs at the championships at Lahaina Civic Center. The competition was made up of boys’ and girls’ groups in six age divisions: Menehune (ages 5-6), Bantam (7-8), Midget (9-10), Novice (11-12), Schoolboy (13-14) and High School (15-18).

Lahaina Roughnecks who placed in the tournament include Mahinahine Basques, Euliana Ueki, Kaelyn-Jo Maielua Gamit, Clover Williams, Bella Williams, Kaiea Casco, Chase Yasutake, Noah Redaus, Vince Ueki, Shane Ueki, Ikaika Gonzales, Manu Collins, Jayce Kodama, Kaulana Tihada, Oscar Williams, Nathaniel Redaus, Tama Redau Agdeppa, Kivah Caballero, Quelsyamber Borce, Gabriella Fernandez, Kiana Sunio, Estrella Carbajal, Ian Cabanilla, Mathias Collins, Cyrus Freitas, Keawe Keahi, Victoria Ann Tasini Lukela, Jahnea Miguel, Josephine Graser, Taylor Peligrino Hayase, Kaunoe Keahi, Ty Bates, Ivy Navarro, Diamond Freitas, Alexis Encinas, Christian Balagso, Wayne Alibin and Conrad Bolor Jr.

Napili Surfriders who placed at the event include Kapono Saribay Dean, Justin Gonsalves, Kamealoha Lanoza Uyeda, Victoria Halapiapi, Rohn Patry, Teva Loft, Grethen Olson, Jaki Kuaana, Kalai Yap, Caleb Cajudoy, Tehya Gillcoat, Sami Saribay, Shannon Jaramillo, Kimberlyn Pepa, Shayla Bosque, Anthony Nunes, Isaiah Asia, Chance Criste, Kawehi Gillcoat, Jesse Dudoit, Ronald Criste, Zeff Dudoit, Siale Fonohema, Carly Jaramillo, Breeana Dudoit Vasquez, Josten Saribay and Thomas Rosen St. John.

The Lahaina Red Raiders had state placers in Karlyann Herrison, David Kalilikane and Kaeo Kanemitsu.