Lahaina Intermediate School wrestlers gained valuable experience at a recent Oahu public middle schools dual meet.

LAHAINA – There will be no receding tide with West Side wrestling.

Having won unprecedented interscholastic state championships in girls and boys wrestling last year, the question surfaces: will the Lunas do it again? And the answer is a resounding, “Yes!”

The key to Lahainaluna High School’s success story on the mat is the opening door of middle school wrestling that has been unlocked by the leadership of Nathan Williams at Lahaina Intermediate School.

The wrestling program at LIS is an important development program for the high school team. Now into its fourth year, Coach Nate – assisted by Jesse Dudoit, Kai Keahi, Jason Hayase, Mundy Gilcoat and Neal “Nails” Nakata – continues to see improvement at this level.

“We took the kids to Oahu for dual meets with ILH and public school middle schools, and our kids did great and gained some great experience. It was the first-ever Oahu public middle schools dual meet, and we are grateful to all the people over there that hosted us and put on the meets.”

Coach Nate went on to say that LIS wrestling will host the fourth annual Maui Middle School Championships on Friday, Jan. 29, at the Lahainaluna High School gymnasium. Matches will begin at 6 p.m.; a concession stand will be open with hot dinner entrees, snacks and beverages for spectators and competitors to purchase.

“We’ll be looking to keep the girls’ championship streak of three titles going, and the boys won their first gold last year. We’ve got 35 kids on our roster, and we’re working hard for this meet,” he said.

“Thanks to all the parents and supporters of our program, and especially to Jason Donez at Leilani’s on the Beach and the Marriott Ocean Club for their donations to the team.”