Members of the Lahainaluna High School track and field team qualified for the state championships at the recent Maui Interscholastic League Championships.

LAHAINA – Cynthia Monteleone exemplifies the knowledge and experience that all successful coaches thrive on. Along with her husband, Zane, as her top assistant, she has propped up the Lahainaluna High School track and field team in just her third year at the helm of the program by sharing her background as a collegiate runner – and still competing on the USA Track and Field circuit – and attracting an energetic group of assistants as well.

Coach Cynthia’s staff includes veteran Al Souza with the throwers, Chris Mears (hurdles, long jump), Lauren Amano (sprints, relays), Randy Casco (hurdles), Bob Dezotell (high jump), Steve Fisher (pole vault) and Justine Bell (throwers).

Cynthia had special praise for Donovan Seno, who handles all academic support and counseling to the 35 student-athletes on the roster.

Although a relatively small squad in comparison to the rest of the Maui Interscholastic League, there is quality across the board for Lahainaluna in the field events, middle distance events and the relays.

Leading the way for the Lunas is Isaiah Tanner with state qualifying efforts in the long jump, high jump and triple jump. He was also honored as the MIL Championships’ outstanding field events competitor, as his first triple jump effort this year resulted in a second place finish at 41 feet to qualify for the state meet, along with his previous marks in the high jump and long jump.

Tanner will be joined by teammates Apakasi Felemi, who won the discus event at the MIL meet to qualify for states, and Koa Evalu Robinson in the discus.

Coach Cynthia also had high praise for the girls 4 x 400 and 4 x 100 relay teams made up of Kalea Acevedo, Chiara Clark, Isabella Theobold, Nanea Estrella and Rebecca Segura.

“This a very young team, and we’ve built some positive momentum for establishing the future in the MIL,” explained Cynthia from the sideline of the sparkling Sue D. Cooley athletic facility on the Lahainaluna campus last week.

“All of the coaches recognize the importance of building the integrity of the program with positive coaching. It’s been a great job by these Lunas, and we are certainly proud of these kids and grateful to be a part of the experience.”

Monteleone also referenced the Lahainaluna High School Foundation for its continuing support for the facility and the equipment required to be successful in the sport.

She also praised the program for hosting the Yamamoto Relays, the iconic meet held at War Memorial Stadium for decades, and expressed special thanks to Athletic Director Scott Soldwisch, Assistant A.D. and Trainer Jon Conrad and his assistant, Rebecca Cohen, for their support of the team.