Leilehua’s Kelani Corbett will try to become the fifth girl in state history to complete a slam this year, joining Caylene Valdez of Moanalua (2003), Kamehameha’s Randolyn Nohara (2007) Teshya Alo of Kamehameha (2016) and Lalelei Mataafa of Lahainaluna (2016).
Corbett is seeded first at 168 pounds after winning her previous titles at 155. She might have to go through a fellow state champion to get there, as Konawaena’s Kapoina Bailey is also in her bracket. Corbett opens against the winner between Lei Robinson of Campbell and Waipahu’s Grace Tanuvasa.
One other bracket can feature a rematch of reigning state champions. Baldwin’s Jahnea Miguel, who is undefeated in eight state matches, can meet Kamehameha’s Paige Respicio at 138 pounds. Miguel beat Respicio in the 2017 semifinals.
Ashley Gooman of Kamehameha will go for her third state title after losing in the final last year, and Nanea Estrella of Lahainaluna is looking for her third title as a junior. Girls looking to repeat include Lahainaluna’s Sami Saribay (107), Baldwin’s Waipuilani Estrella Beauchamp at 132 and Roxie Umu of Kealakehe (184).
The boys who will carry state titles into the arena opted not to challenge each other.
On the boys side, Kamehameha’s Kysen Terukina looks to get his third title as a junior, this time at 126 pounds.
Baldwin’s Colby Ravida will look to repeat at 113, as will Elijah Asuncion of Moanalua at 120, Na Menehune’s Noah Wusstig at 145, sophomore Brandon Pagurayan of Kapolei at 152 and Rysan Leong of Kalaheo at 170.
One unique change in the tournaments this year is the inclusion of “fishtails,” where preliminary rounds take on an added urgency for lower-seeded wrestlers. Instead of going to consolation rounds after a loss, those athletes are out of the tournament. Wrestlers were previously guaranteed two matches.
ILH boys were rewarded with five top seeds, with the MIL and OIA each getting four. The MIL had the most top seeds on the girls side with six, followed by the OIA (4), ILH (3) and BIIF (1).
Here are the brackets:
Moanalua is loaded on both sides boys and girls with all their transfers and all, they should be heavy favorites. Who’s their head coach? …..ahhhh
“Kalaiepohaku” definition= 81724 move