UPDATE, official brackets released:
State Wrestling (Boys) 2015 Brackets
State Wrestling (Girls) 2015 Brackets
Here is the press release fresh from the HHSAA: 2015 Press Release
OK, it’s an hour before the meeting gets rolling at ‘Iolani, so a quick stop into Mocha Java at Ward Centre in a last-gasp attempt to eat breakfast and make weight is called for.
Heard the meeting goes fairly fast through the weight classes, so it’s probably a good thing I have a fully charged cell phone with a camera to take pictures of the computer screen of whoever is in charge of documenting the seedings. That is, of course, if he or she lets me take a picture.
Will be trying to give you all 16 seeds in every boys and girls weight class for the Chevron/HHSAA Wrestling State Championships on Friday and Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena. What is written here will be most definitely unofficial until the HHSAA releases the official seedings this week.
At this time, we would like to thank the wrestling coaches and officials and the HHSAA for allowing us to attend. We will not be quoting anybody, but we will be giving you vote totals if any of the seeds are contested.
There’s certainly nothing wrong with holding the event at the Blaisdell. It’s almost the perfect place for the packed house that attends. What about the Stan Sheriff Center? Too busy this time of year, most likely. Will find out. And while we’re at it, I’ve heard countless commercials on the radio over the years where the announcer will pronounce it BLAZE-dale. I thought for sure it was BLAZE-del, but who knows?
Which brings up another point. What about highlighting each final match, so everybody in attendance can watch? Usually, there are three mats going all at once. For the public (and media) and for the wrestlers themselves, a big spotlight on the center mat would be (from this untrained wrestling brain) a great way to put the focus on these great athletes.
Will find out if it’s possible. The idea is not my own. It came from an OIA coach who tried the spotlight thing for each match during a dual meet earlier this year.
OK, time to get a move on. The computer just told me I’m running on reserve power. Hopefully, they’ll let me plug in at ‘Iolani. It’s only 12:18, but someone told me yesterday that people who are fashionably late don’t get the worm at the bottom of the tequila bottle. You learn something new every day.
12:58 p.m. — meetng is just about to start. The room is filling up. Kauai will be submitting its seeds via email. The Garden Isle wrestlers usually ask for the fifth seed, since the OIA, MIL, BIIF and ILH champions are usually seeded one through four, and all other islands are represented here at the meeting.
1:10 p.m. — It’s the electronic age. Some leagues submitted their seeds in writing and it is now being converted to bits and bytes and electronic type. That’s the reason for the delay.
1:40 p.m. — meeting rules are being discussed
1:44 p.m. — note to all wrestlers, undergarments must be a SINGLE color. you may get disqualified.
Girls 97
OIA vs. ILH for the first seed.
ILH wins top seed due to better Officials record.
Remember, this is unofficial and could change.
1. Bailey Hoshino (Punahou)
2. Alexis Nelson (Waianae)
3. Chelsey Chaves (Maui)
4. Carla Fontes (Waiakea)
5. Kaisa Ishikawa (Kauai)
6. Kasie Nishimura (St. Andrew’s Priory)
7. Aileen Umayas (Keaau)
8. Menjam Tamang (Roosevelt)
9. Olivia Crowl (Hawaii Prep)
10. Karly-Lou Ayano (Sacred Hearts)
11. Jayci Gomes (Campbell)
12. Ira Navarro (Lahainaluna)
13. Amanda Higa (Moanalua)
14. Ariel Goo (Mililani)
15. Adrianna Sanchez
16. Ravaen Rafael (Kamehameha)
Girls 102
Maui over OIA for top seed due to head to head
Did not catch all of the seeds in this class; Angelou Jade Dean was in there somewhere.
1. Iverly Navarro (Lahainaluna)
2. Brianna Leong (Leilehua)
3. Hilinai Meyer (Kamehameha)
4. Uamili Hayashida
5. Jordyn Kahananui
6. Kyla Aruda
7.
8. Ilysia Sharai Sana
9. Taylor Miyao
10. Isabel Masiglat
11. Xiaolin Mai
12. Kalissa Pundyke (Campbell)
13. Skye Sakashita
14. Nina Bean (Kaimuki)
15. Elexus Keophilavanh Agustin
16.
Girls 107
MIL gets the top seed over OIA due to head to head
1. Alexis Encinas (Lahainaluna)
2. Mikayla Abe (Pearl City)
3. Brooke Kawamura (Kamehamehea)
4. Marissa Guerra (Hilo)
5. Alana Alviar (Campbell)
6. ALyssa Queral (Maui)
7. Victoria Greco-Hiranaka (Hawaii Prep)
8. Shelby Say (Mid-Pacific)
9. Jaryn Cachola (Farrington)
10. Kamryn Topasna (Radford)
11. Megan Mena (Roosevelt)
12. Jasmine Hsia (Punahou)
13. Khaitlin Bernaldez (Moanalua)
14. Ilima Kepono-Ferreira (Keaau)
15. Jasel Joy Bagaoisan (McKinley)
16. Olivia Hettel-Hori (Keaau)
Girls 112
MIL is top seed. ILH against OIA fighting for second seed
1. Dimaond Freitas (Lahainaluna)
2. Teryn Ichimura (Punahou)
3. Kayla Lono (Lahainaluna)
4. Kaitlyn Funai (Hilo)
5. Nika Tapucol (Kauai)
6. Desiree Corpuz (Molokai)
7. Charlotte Lois Taylor
8. Sydnee Ramirez (Mid-Pacific)
9. Macy Higa (Roosevelt)
10. Joen Tominaga (Pearl City)
11. Ry Lyn Kalia Albino-Kaupu (Kamehameha-Hawaii)
12. Sarah Pataapaiboon
13. Kathleen Chow
14. Sydnie Lista
15. Michie Okura
16. Asia Whiting
Girls 117
1. Alexis Ford (Pearl City)
2. Zion-Grace Vierra (Kamehameha)
3. Kailaoe Cabanting (Molokai)
4. Brandy Ilac-Wong (Honokaa)
5. Sierra Kalama (Kauai)
6. Kristen Kojima (Roosevelt)
7. Crystal Lynn Baysa (Kamehameha-Hawaii)
8. Kristen Pang (Punahou)
9. Tehani Carlson
10. Czrarina Pineda Abaya (Kalani)
11. Dana Kai Reilly-Gober (Kealakehe)
12. Kaile Kron
13. Bryndall McAluney
14. Alsie Bahilot
15. Ashley Hubble
16. Hanna Kannys
Girls 122
1. Teniya Alo (‘Iolani)
2. Taylor Rabara (Baldwin)
3. Eliana Mundon (Aiea)
4. Miya Smigel (Hawaii Prep)
5. Summer Suttel (Island School)
6. Laynee Paison (St. Francis)
7. Jaydelynne Mariana (Kealakehe)
8. Allie Mahoe (Kapolei)
9. Jasey Sotelo (Mililani)
10. Shaylin Marn (Kamehameha)
11. Anuhea Hamilton (Waianae)
12. Sierra Pico (Molokai)
13. (meeting weent too fast to get this seed)
14. Kasey Pule (KS-Hawaii)
15. Rosalini Ikei (Kaiser)
16. Gabrielle Perez (Farrington)
Girls 127
1. Maria Garcia (Roosevelt)
2. Tate Williams (Kamehameha)
3. Kamele Sanchez (Honokaa)
4. Saydee Makaiwi (Molokai)
5. Anela Wasson (Kahuku)
6. Asia Lien Evans (Pearl CIty)
7. Kristina Maui (Lahainaluna)
8. Abigail Riley (Hawaii Prep)
9. Hiialo Harold
10. Angessa Newman (Waianae)
11. Shovarani Santiago (Aiea)
12. Airica Hayasaka (Mid-Pacific)
13. Dana Sugai (Konawaena)
14. Alicia Liemsithisak (Campbell)
15. Kristen Joy Lagunoy (Kapolei)
16. Karena Akea (Mililani)
Girls 132
1. Teshya Alo (Kamehameha)
2. Asia Igafo (Castle)
3. Alexandria Simon (Molokai)
4. Kayla Araki (Kamehameha)
5. Skyla Clark (Waipahu)
6. Cianni Kekuhuna (Honokaa)
7. Gionne Anaban-Morse (Kealakehe)
8. Angeliq Kane (Moanalua)
9. Jamie Hoe (King Kekaulike)
10. Amber Strong (Campbell)
11. Jordyn Watanabe (Mililani)
12. Viviana Barcina (Kahuku)
13. Chaika Kahuola (Aiea)
14. Jenna Awana (Waianae)
15. Bye
16. Alexandria Aquino (Lahainaluna)
Girls 138
1. Breanna Dudoit-Vasquez (Lahainaluna)
2. Taysia Kano (Kapolei)
3. Kayla Gaspar-Takahashi (Kamehameha)
4. Loke Ching (Hawaii Prep)
5. Naia Manintin (Kauai)
6. Alysha Reinhardt (Baldwin)
7. Taryn (Honokaa)
8. Tara Labanon (Damien)
9. Dani Dinloker Santiago (Mililani)
10. Diana Marquez
11. Lokelani Kam (Campbell)
12. Netanya Kang (Pearl City)
13. Sophia Straton (Punahou)
14. Gayla Alonzo-Estrada (Kamehameha)
15. Haylee Jimeno (Waipahu)
16. Cassandra Tongi (Kahuku)
Girls 145
1. Carly Jaramillo (Lahainaluna)
2. Angela Peralta (Campbell)
3. Jaclyn Fontanilla (Kamehameha)
4. Rae Cardusa (Hawaii Prep)
5. Sarah Matsunaga (Kaiser)
6. Keanna Popejoy-Kanamu (King Kekaulike)
7. Kaitlyn Maarsingh (Honokaa)
8. Taylor Higa (Maryknoll)
9. Malia Manuel
10. Zanaiah Benjamin (Waianae)
11. Gezlen Ragudos (Aiea)
12. Lilia Kaka (Kahuku)
13. bye
14. Jaynah Dias (KS-Hawaii)
15. bye
16. bye
Girls 155
1. Taj-Destiny Vierra (Kamehameha)
2. Saydie Kala
3. Shanacie Keaweehu (Kahuku)
4. Stevie Pactol (Honokaa)
5. Brianna Kaneshiro (Kauai)
6. Lainey Sanborn (Sacred Hearts)
7. Taylor Chan (Keaau)
8. Cendall Manley (Molokai)
9. Aaliyah Wright (Campbell)
10. Kelsey Kim (Punahou)
11. Autumn Ollice (Radford)
12. Avei Lualemaga (Aiea)
13. Kaleiwohiokalani Sataua
14. Monica McKeague (Waiakea)
15. (too fast to get this seed)
16. Tyzandria Wells (Nanakuli)
Girls 168
1. Caragh Morris (Campbell)
2. Karina Arroya-Haro (Lahainaluna)
3. Callan Medeiros (Kamehameha)
4. Ivory Ayers (Keaau)
5. Reydell Ewaliko Kauhane (Nanakuli)
6. Kayan Apano Carvalho (Mililani)
7. Shivahn Akau (Kapolei)
8. Amanda Stark (‘Iolani)
9. Angel Vegoda (Baldwin)
10. Jennie Fuamatu (Pearl City)
11. Teronica Amani (Waianae)
12. Jasmyn Davis (Molokai)
13. Stephanie Times (Aiea)
14. bye
15. Davelette Charles (Kahuku)
16. bye
Girls 184
1. Leilani Camargo-Naone (Kamehameha)
2. Sarah Miner (Aiea)
3. Hannah Miyamoto (Lahainaluna)
4. Alohi Chambless (Hawaii Prep)
5. Laie Kawai Tafua (Waimea)
6. Alyandina Bushe (Kapolei)
7. Jaeleen Perez Ewe (Leilehua)
8. Mildred Keopuhiwa (Waianae)
9. Martika English (Molokai)
10. Kiara Tiumalu (Campbell)
11. Briana Agliam (Keaau)
12. Jocelyn Alo (Kahuku)
13. bye
14. bye
15. bye
16. bye
Girls 225
1. Lalelei Mataafa (Lahainaluna)
2. Aulii Young (St. Francis)
3. Sabrina Hollins (Waipahu)
4. Ebony Ayers (Keaau)
5. Baylee Mason (Damien)
6. Tristen Borden (Baldwin)
7. Shavon Mello-Waiwaiole (Keaau)
8. Divine Tanuvasa-Fuaga (Punahou)
9. Daisy Evangatina Agae (Waianae)
10. Kortney Russell (Kamehameha-Maui)
11. Cayla Johnson (Hawaii Prep)
12. Sabrina Alo (Kahuku)
13. bye
14. bye
15. bye
16. bye
The girls seedings, subject to change, are done. It’s 3:49 p.m. and the meeting is about to start the boys seedings.
Boys 106
1. Jayson Pagurayan (Kapolei)
2. Corey Cabanban (Saint Louis)
3. Izaak Panlasigui-Domingo (Lahainaluna)
4. Kukukani Lee Ubedei (Hilo)
5. Connor Lee (Punahou)
6. Tayler Otsuka (Mililani)
7. Elison Galanto (Kealakehe)
8. Colby Hanley Jr. (King Kekaulike)
9. Colby Watase (‘Iolani)
10. Isaac Adriano (Campbell)
11. Juaquin Samaniego (Molokai)
12. Isaac Stalcup (Leilehua)
13. Logan Garcia (Moanalua)
14. Landon Obra-Nakata (Damien)
15. Ransen Kuratsu Garcia (Aiea)
16. Drew Chong (Kahuku)
Boys 113
1. Cameron Kato (Punahou)
2. Triston Santos (Campbell)
3. Shaedon Quevado (Hilo)
4. Kainalu Estrella (Lahainaluna)
5. Corey Agena (Waimea)
6. Cody Cabanban (Saint Louis)
7. Caele Manley (Molokai)
8. Patrick Bayley (Waiakea)
9. Jordan Kannys (Kaiser)
10. Jayden Key-Byrd (Kamehameha)
11. Shon Aragon (Moanalua)
12. Andre Pagurayan (Kapolei)
13. Raulin Santiago (Kealakehe)
14. Hunter Fujiwara (‘Iolani)
15. Jasper Cantorna (Pearl City)
16. Chaden Morisato (Kalani)
Boys 120
1. Blaysen Terukina (Kamehameha)
2. Christian Balagso (Lahainaluna)
3. Draten Moristato (Kalani)
4. Kolton Pang (Hilo)
5. Kristopher Alcos (Kauai)
6. Sean Urabe (Punahou)
7. Kaau Estrella (Kamehameha)
8. Blake Ferreira (King Kekaulike)
9. Caelab Reyes (Moanalua)
10. Jordan Ng (‘Iolani)
11. Trenton Galigo (Waiakea)
12. Cayde Tagami (Roosevelt)
13. Josh Matsumoto (Hawaii Baptist)
14. Keale Keliinoi (Waianae)
15. Elijah Ukauka (Castle)
16. Charles Freitas (Pearl City)
Boys 126
1. Shandon Ilaban Totten (Kapolei)
2. Joseph Fong (University)
3. Trey Galigo (Kamehameha)
4. Josten Saribay (Lahainaluna)
5. Bryzen Cadiz (Kauai)
6. Antonio Ruiz (Moanalua)
7. Jake Ballesteros (Lanai)
8. Xylon Takata (Waiakea)
9. Ian Murakami
10. Kawailani Somera Rickard (Leilehua)
11. Matthew Perez (Kamehameha)
12. Jake Nakasone (‘Iolani)
13. Brad Transfiguracion (Kealakehe)
14. Kealohi Graycochea (Kahuku)
15. Chavison Kalamau (Waianae)
16. Michael Sunajo (Campbell)
Boys 132
1. Joshua Roy Gallarde (Campbell)
2. Joshua Rosen (Punahou)
3. Seannacy McNeill (Kealakehe)
4. Justin Inovejas (Lahainaluna)
5. Bryson Yoro (Kauai)
6. Chance Ikei (Kaiser)
7. Tristan Malano-Rodriguez (King Kekaulike)
8. David Diaz (Waiakea)
9. Kaysen Takenaka (‘Iolani)
10. Isaac Diamond (Mililani)
11. Ryan Garcia (Kamehameha)
12. Alexandre Mimura (Mid-Pacific)
13. Lihau Matsuoka (Konawaena)
14. Chevy Tabiolo Felicilda (Moanalua)
15. Jaron Pagaduan (Castle)
16. Bishop Moore (Roosevelt)
Boys 138
1. Joshua Crimmins (Punahou)
2. Sheldon Bailey (Waianae)
3. Robert Campos (Lahainaluna)
4. Trysen Galigo (Waiakea)
5. Madison Leanio (Kauai)
6. James Mizota (‘Iolani)
7. Trsten Kilkenny (Hawaii Prep)
8. Alika Kailikane Delos Reyes (Baldwin)
9. Baylen Cooper (Pearl City)
10. Keoni Hall (Mid-Pacific)
11. Talan Nakamura (KS-Hawaii)
12. Matthew Mantanona (Campbell)
13. Nathan Hishinuma (Hawaii Baptist)
14. Nicholas Mair (Kaiser)
15. Ransen Ray Ranchez (Kapolei)
16. Zack Diamond (Mililani)
Boys 145
1. Brian Pascua (‘Iolani)
2. Thomas Stevenson (Baldwin)
3. Kaleo Miyasaki (Hilo)
4. Rodman Salangdron (Kapolei)
5. Nicholas Gabriel (Kauai)
6. Cullen Slavens (Kamehameha)
7. Payton Cawagas (Honokaa)
8. Aaron Murray (KS-Maui)
9. Trevor Alvarado (Pearl CIty)
10. Cole Chandler (Mid-Pacific)
11. Haili Kapela (Konawaena)
12. Swayne Lunasco (Castle)
13. Seth Simon (Punahou)
14. Brent Ikei (Mililani)
15. Roger Graziano (Waianae)
16. Randy Miyoga (Aiea)
Boys 152
1. Liam Corbett (Leilehua)
2. Keian Inouye (Baldwin)
3. Chad Farias (Kamehameha)
4. Reed Hayashikawa (Keaau)
5. Athens Acosta (Waimea)
6. Marquis Dominique (Mililani)
7. Brendon Figueroa (KS-Hawaii)
8. Robert Mein (‘Iolani)
9. Keith Jones II (Kaiser)
10. Kulana Salera (Moanalua)
11. Thomas Kahooilihala (Hilo)
12. Robert Debrum (Lanai)
13. Connor Barfield (Punahou)
14. Lincoln Mussell
15. Adam Lachel (Campbell)
16. Canaan Kawaihae Rabaino
Boys 160
1. Tyler Yoshikawa (Mid-Pacific)
2. Jacob Naosusuga
3. Kalei Cabanting
4. Hokupaa Kahookaulana
5. Braeden Jensen
6. Connor Villarmia
7. Russell Transfiguracion
8. Matthew Aguigui
9. Makoa Freitas (Kamehameha)
10. Rafe McAtee (Punahou)
11. Caleb Caves (Waiakea)
12. Troy Waki (Baldwin)
13. Christian Lee (Mililani)
14. Angel Marreno (Leilehua)
15. Christian Aricayos (Aiea)
16. Zorich Palimoo (Moanalua)
Boys 170
1. Thomas Rosen St. John (Lahainaluna)
2. Lopaka Lono (Leilehua)
3. Kevin Efta (Kamehameha)
4. Ben Camero (Waiakea)
5. Kenneth Niheu (Island School)
6. Tavian Del Rosario (Lanai)
7. Ulu Obrey (Kealakehe)
8. Kauanoe Kaili (Damien)
9. Kekua Marumoto (Kapolei)
10. Anson Levi (Saint Louis)
11. Kawika Andrian (Keaau)
12. Micah Arakawa (Kaiser)
13. Tyson Shimabukuro (St. Francis)
14. Brandon Burgos (Aiea)
15. Kealii Lopes (Kalani)
16. Gage Whitehead (Kahuku)
Boys 182
1. Joseph Hoshino (Kamehameha)
2. Maui Lee (Pearl City)
3. Wayne Alibin (Lahainaluna)
4. Keoni Miles (Kealakehe)
5. Andrew Evans (Waimea)
6. Ian Ramirez (Punahou)
7. Ethan James-Ramos (KS-Hawaii)
8. Jayden Ferreira (Baldwin)
9. Neven Isaiah Pak (Moanalua)
10. Kevin Young (Saint Louis)
11. Wrenol Kiwaha (Konawaena)
12. Micah Tynanes Perez (Campbell)
13. Saiaiga Fautanu (‘Iolani)
14. Dathan Lloyd
15. John Dana (Radford)
16. Chance Ingalls (Kapolei)
Boys 195
1. Boman Tokioka (Kamhameha)
2. Jess Kanongataa (Kahuku)
3. Rex Hazuka (King Kekaulike)
4. Pulama Louis (Kealakehe)
5. Connor Donaher (Waimea)
6. Robert Straton (Punahou)
7. Joe Pacuyo (Konawaena)
8. Owen Taua (KS-Maui)
9. Matthew Keopuhiwa (Pearl City)
10. Jedadiah Lulu (Saint Louis)
11. Kekoa Pires (KS-Hawaii)
12. Spencer Yashiki (Moanalua)
13. Hunter Kam (‘Iolani)
14. Aaron Sotoa (Kapolei)
15. Jaylen Gonzales (Waianae)
16. Marlo Transfiguration (Campbell)
Boys 220
1. James Sullivan (Campbell)
2. Rusty Nakayama (Kamehameha)
3. Aaron Arellano (Kealakehe)
4. Conrad Bolor (Lahainaluna)
5. Ian Garcia (Waimea)
6. Jackson Fuamatu (Pearl City)
7. Cory Williams (St. Anthony)
8. Joyden Madriaga (KS-Hawaii)
9. Jacob Sparks (Punahou)
10. Kana Jennings (Aiea)
11. James Iaukea (Punahou)
12. Taaga Tuulima (‘Iolani)
13. Riley Rechiro (Honokaa)
14. Zechariah Yuhudah (Roosevelt)
15. Clayton Smith (Moanalua)
16. Everson Olap (Kaiser)
Boys 285
1. Tristan Ludiazo (Campbell)
2. Connor Mowat (Lahainaluna)
3. Kanai Eldredge (Punahou)
4. Kullen Davis (KS-Hawaii)
5. Noahpunahou Mahelona (Kapolei)
6. John Patrick Oishi (Radford)
7. Josiah Kia (Kealakehe)
8. Kuikamoku Han (Molokai)
9. Dane Yamashiro (‘Iolani)
10. Matthew Miner (Aiea)
11. Noah Feitosa (Baldwin
12. Makoa Gaughen-Haili (Kamehameha)
13. Spencer Pahulu (Kahuku)
14. Mane Haunga (St. Francis)
15. Noah DeSilva
16. Damian Agao Casabar (Moanalua)
So there you have it, the top seeds and the rest of the seedings.
Remember, it’s unofficial.
All eyes will be on the 138-pound boys, where Punahou’s Josh Crimmins, the top seed, drew Mililani’s Zack Diamond, who went into the OIA championship as the top pound-for-pound wrestler in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s rankings and, after a loss, turned out to be the 16th seed for states.
The winner gets a tough customer in Pearl City’s Baylen Cooper.
The west teams are looking hot
They televised the finals (championship matches) last year and the matches are on YouTube too.
Yes, the matches will be televised again this year. But at the arena itself, one mat, one spotlight, one final match after the other final match, putting all the focus and energy in the arena on the two people on the one mat at that time.
oh and I just found out that the we, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser will be posting videos of each finals match on our website on the Monday after the tournament
HMMMMM. Weird prioritization of underwear. Eternal delays. Verdonk must be there.
Finals will be on xcast 1020..
I believe that only the first 4 seeds are actually seeded. The rest are placed according to where the seeded wrestler from their league is at on the bracket. Example: Pundyke from Campbell.
That’s true, Taloola, but by doing 16 kids can see matchups, methinks.
Some interesting seedings for girls
Wow, does that mean Diamond vs. Crimmins in the first round?
That’s retarded. You reward the top seed by making him face Diamond in the first round??
It is not really a seed for Diamond, it is a slot. When the door closes, he stops being Zach Diamond and becomes “O-6” as in sixth place in the OIA after he forfeited both matches after his loss. Really sucks for Crimmins, though.
Well diamond isn’t wrestling to the best of his abilities lately so Crimmons got a chance
That’s kind of my point. The top seed should have more than “a chance” in the first round.
Same thing happened to Chad Diamond a few years back…
Wanna be the best beat the best no matter when you meet up with them
Why is it that in 138 Matthew Mantanona from Campbell is seeded 12 when he was the runner up for OIAs?
Andrew- pls read talloola’s comment noted at 2:40pm.
It actually has more to do with there being a Kauai Champ who takes the 5 spot.
Because 5 vs 12 in the opening round, Montana wins and he’s basically back where he is supposed to be in the bracket.
The Crimmins vs Diamond match is going to be a good one.
Four weight classes in the OIA boys championships (132,138, 152, & 160) reveal a disturbing pattern of rank manipulation through forfeits. These findings cast a negative light on the HHSAA Wrestling Championships and should be brought a review process. At 132 the East Champion forfeits and in the process avoids a match with a returning state champ, at 138 the states top over all contender drops a close match, forfeits two rounds, settles for sixth, or a 16th rank. At 152 the East champ is similar, and 160 not much different. The forfeits artificially lower ones ranking stock that follows the four seeded champions, and by doing so forces what may have been the potential state finals match-up(s) to occur in the state tournament opening round, or bracket lopsidedness where traditionally tougher lower half of a bracket is avoided through a somewhat selfish all or nothing approach. In all but one case the forfeits followed impressive wins.
All of those that made a calculated decision to forfeit their final matches in the final two rounds of the OIA Championships should get what they deserve, a week off. If you cannot finish the qualifier then you are not properly qualified. 132, 138, 152, and 160 boys brackets reveal a disturbing pattern that forces potential state final matches to be wrestled in the opening round. The so called O-6 slot or 16th athlete in all four of the aforementioned brackets needs to moved to the lower half of the bracket as to place the burden of proof on 16, 2, and, 3 to have a chance at wrestling the #1 seed. There is a duty here that should not be ignored. A kapakahi move by a coach is nothing short of cheating and strips the #1 seed of the benefits that come with that slot. Recently mainland basketball teams that tried to lose a qualifier for seeding advantages were disqualified from the state tournament. This is no different.
Bracket came out how it should. Beats last week matchups where the OIA East was way over-rated. Tried getting all the tough west schools battle each others while they got the easy way to front of brackets. But still the east only got two champions on the boys side.
It looks like all the wanna-be champion girls flocked to 155.
Live Broadcast is on Xcast 1022
Anonymous & dc,
So these 15 to 17 year olds calculated how the rest of the wrestlers would finish the tournament, then predicted what slot they would get at the seeding meeting, oh yeah, they would also have to predict how ILH, MIL, BIIF would finish, and who would then be the first, second, third, fourth seeds. Just to face a tougher match earlier in the tournament. REALLY?
Obviously you weren’t at the tournament. The 132 first of all wasn’t the top east seed (3rd I think) hurt his knee during his quarters. The 138 hurt his knee in his semi’s. The 152 I didn’t see the match. The 160 had a major asthma attack and had to be carried off the mat. So they should be banished from the next week’s competition even though they qualified for making a decision based on the safety of the athlete? REALLY?
There is a clear pattern of 4 state contenders getting the O-6 position through forfeits and to prevent potential finalist from meeting in the prelims they should be placed in the lower bracket. Sorry to hear about the asthma attack. Most coaches know that O-6 translates to #16 regardless of other outcomes. Thus, an upper bracket guarantee, and basically a 1b rank. Bring it on!
To have 8 wrestlers with nearly unblemished records meet in the preliminary round is nothing short of a blunder. It should be brought under review resulting in those four athletes that were not #1 seeds being relocated to the bottom half of the bracket.
Then the burden is placed on O-6, the #2 and #3 seeds prior to meeting up with the #1 seed. Utilizing a scientific approach requires a look at the data. The intention of that meeting is to identify outliers, or rouge circumstances and correct them. “This moves really fast so stay with us here” is outdated and causal of oversights.
Obviously you are being directly affected by this. If the number 1 seed truly is a number one seed then he or she should be able to beat anyone in their bracket. I highly doubt that these kids are trying to manipulate their placement. One thing you might not realize is that the OIA is a big tournament (you have 24 schools compared all trying to place compared to states 16 man bracket) and nobody wants to make it to the semis and crap out to 6th.
It’s exciting, and many challenges will be met with honor! Best of luck to all competitors, coaches, and administrators!
It is what it is for now…… Everyone in the Hawaii wrestling community should understand how the seeding works for the state championships. You are in serious denial if you think kids forfeited out to screw with the seeding/brackets. You would possibly do the same if your kid was injured. Wrestle back for 3rd and risk serious injury and not even have the chance to compete in states. Or qualify, rest up and put it all on the line the following week. I’m pretty sure it would be an option if you were in their shoes.
I do agree that the HHSAA should consider changing seeding format, but it will be up to the coaches and league coordinators to make a proposal for future tourneys. Factors like head to head, a state ranking system, strength of schedule and placement in top tourneys should all be involved in seeding. We all know ILH #2 or OIA 2, #3 and possibly #4 are usually stronger than KIF #1 or BIF #2. In Cali states, the Southern or Central sections #2, #3 and #4 are usually seeded higher than the North Coast or North champ. Even the San Joaquin and San Diego place winners might get higher seeds than other sectional champs. They have a system and process that uses more than seeding only the sectional champs. The Big 10 #2, #3 and # 4 guys at some weight classes get seeded higher than other conference champs. Again, they use a variety of factors to determine seeds and get it right.
Here is what 132 and 138 might look if we incorporated a variety of factors in seeding:
132
1. Gallarde
2. Ikei
3. Rosen
4. Moore*head to head over Diamond
5. Diamond*i think head to head over Inovejas, maybe Rosen too, but he’s ILH champ
6. Inovejas
7. Miamura
8. Tabiola
9. Mimura
10. Pagaduan
11. Takenaka
And so on…..
138
1. Crimmins
2. Bailey*head to head over campos
3. Campos
4. Mantannoa
5. Cooper
6. Diamond* could be as high as high 4 or as low as 8
7. Leanio
8. ILH #2
9. Delos Reyes
10. Galigo
11. Hall
12. OIA #4
And so on…….
This would be the way to go…… Using a variety of factors to seed. Coaches and ADs, make the proposal to the HHSAA.
Well said, and my over-all point exactly. Looking at those qualifier brackets does not always tell the full story. When the state data started hitting the feed the advertiser writer wasn’t the only one shocked. In retrospect we all have an opportunity to learn something here (a) get the facts, (b) process the emotions, and (c) cultivate an attitude that builds Hawaii wrestling for generations to come. Big Mahalo to guy in the stripped zebra suit for a proactive and constructive response. One thing is certain here, debate is a good thing, as long as it remains civil. Again, best of luck to all competitors! Let’s get this in the books!
One writer on the notoriously entertaining wrestling forum listed under high school sports at sportshawaii.com had this to offer. (Yikes! This is where I get off the bus! An expose of who’s who on the thread would come as a shock to many. Deductive reasoning helps).
twnoexcuses wrote:
“For a variety of reasons, this could be a boon to the HHSAA and Hawaii wrestling. Great first round matches mean a well attended Friday (meaning a more profitable Friday), with some certainty over when those matches will take place”.
“I assume there are some people who will be taking Friday off to attend, paying their way in, and staying, when they wouldn’t have otherwise”.