West Maui wrestlers in Team Hawaii won several medals at the Western States Nationals on June 20-26 in Farmington, Utah.

LAHAINA — West Side youth wrestling charged out of the pandemic restrictions in a big way with a breakthrough effort at the Western States Nationals on June 20-26 at Farmington, Utah.

The triumvirate that includes members of the Lahaina Roughnecks, Napili Surfriders and the Lahaina Wrestling Club pooled their resources to support a travel team of 20 student-athletes to travel to compete at the prestigious event.

Team Hawaii included youngsters ages 8-18 that persevered in training and fundraising to travel and compete in the ten-day trip.

Led by Lahainaluna High School and Team Hawaii head coach Zane Monteleone, along with a staff comprised of veteran mentors and competitors, the Maui contingent made an impact across the board in the three disciplines of Freestyle, Folkstyle, and Greco-Roman competition.

The Team Hawaii coaching staff included Shane Cunanan, Terry Shibao, Na’o Ah Puck, Christian Balagso, Ivy Navarro, Kainalu Estrella, and Nanea Estrella.

The West Side effort was spearheaded by the girls team that placed third in the Freestyle and Greco-Roman categories. That finish was led by Kayce Dudoit and Alicia Frank, with both winning gold medals in all three events; Catherine Asami, who placed first in Folkstyle, second in Greco-Roman and second in Freestyle); and Ku Kapu-Kekona, Teani Maielua, Kiva Cavallero and Cailee Cuaresma — all medalists placing in the top six to score points for Team Hawaii.

The boys team was led by Jackson Hussey (first in Folkstyle, second in Greco-Roman and third in Freestyle); Morgan Montgomery (second in Freestyle and Folkstyle, and third in Greco-Roman); Saunalio Vehikite (third in Freestyle, fourth in Folkstyle and fifth in Greco-Roman); Chaser Boaz (third in Greco-Roman and Folkstyle); Isaac Pacheco (fourth in Greco-Roman and fifth in Folkstyle); Hunter Cuaresma (fifth in Folkstyle); Ikaika Gonzalez Keawe (fourth in Freestyle and Folkstyle); and Kommon Cunanan (third in Folkstyle, fourth in Freestyle and fifth in Greco-Roman). Rounding out the boys team were Hoken “Samurai” Hironaka, Kekui Lindsey and Jian Cuaresma.’

“It was a great experience and a terrific team effort,” said head coach Monteleone. “The girls team was really awesome led by Alicia Frank and Kayce Dudoit, and led us to top finishes in the Turf Wars team competition and the Western States individual events. It really points to the outstanding support of the families and the community for us to compete at this level. It was also a first-hand opportunity for the kids to be scouted and approached by college coaches.

“We also went on an onsite visit to the University of Utah that was arranged by Kawika Casco — one of Lahainaluna’s outstanding state champion wrestlers and all-state football players who was recruited to Utah and played there under legendary coach Urban Meyer.”