The Punahou boys canoe paddling team earned a chance at history on Tuesday.
The Buffanblu beat Kamehameha in a make-up race from week three, officially securing the ILH championship with 36 points to Kamehameha’s 24 and Mid-Pacific’s 15. Punahou’s boys repeated as ILH champion for the first time since 1987-1990.
All three crews clinched a spot in the state meet Feb. 4 at Keehi Lagoon. The Buffanblu boys have won the state championship the last two years, no school has ever won it three years in a row.
Punahou’s mixed crew also won the ILH title on Tuesday, its fourth straight, scoring 34 points to Kamehameha’s 22 and Iolani’s 18. The Raiders earned the league’s last spot at the state meet by just two points over Mid-Pacific after finishing ahead of the Owls on Tuesday.
Iolani held a 4-2 head-to-head edge over Mid-Pacific this season.
Punahou’s girls crew is scheduled to race its final regular season race on Wednesday, the Buffanblu have already clinched the league title with 30 points to Kamehameha’s 18. Punahou has not won the ILH girls title since 2005.
The final state spot is still up for grabs, though, with Sacred Hearts (14 points) and Pac-Five (13) battling for the spot. The Lancers hold a 3-2 edge over the Wolf Pack this year and can take the spot by finishing ahead of Pac-Five. The Wolf Pack can pass the Lancers by finishing two spots ahead and tie by finishing one spot ahead.
The 3-mile race begins at 4:30 at Magic Island.
Punahou has not swept all three ILH titles since 2005.
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