Only one more record remains.
The Kaiser girls 4×400-meter relay team is eyeing the state meet record of 3 minutes, 57.47 seconds. The foursome of Tommi Hintnaus, Celine Lum, Kristen O’Handley and Teuila Gardner broke the OIA championship meet record on Saturday with a time of 4:00.43. The week before, they shattered the Punahou Relays record with a winning time of 3:58.84.
“We are all running times that can break that,” Gardner said of the state meet record. The state championships are May 15 and 16 on Maui.
The same four also won the 4×100 on Saturday as the Cougars repeated as team champions with 121.33 points. They’ve been running the relays together since last season and time has strengthened their bond together. Timing and precision are key in baton passes, as are camaraderie and knowing tendencies of teammates.
“Last year we started to really realize and notice each others’ talents,” Gardner said.
All of the girls competed and excelled in multiple events for Kaiser, which won six individual events to run away with the team title. Last year, Kaiser edged Campbell 75.50 to 75 for the team title.
Gardner won the high jump and 800 run and finished second to O’Handley in the 400. Lum broke the pole vault record by clearing 12 feet, 1 inch and was second in the 800.
In the high jump, Ginon Jones placed second and O’Handley tied for fourth. In the pole vault, Hintnaus was second and Kelci Robitaille tied for fourth. O’Handley also finished third in the 100. Olivia Russell finished fifth in the 300 hurdles.
The Cougars also scored points in the distance events. Lisa Tashiro, the state cross country champion, finished second in the 1,500 and third in the 3,000. Lina Schell placed sixth in the 3,000.
Note: Tommi Hintnaus’ father, Tom, vaulted in the Olympics and won the 1980 U.S. Olympic Trials. Her sister, Sage, was a state champion for Kaiser and vaulted at the University of Houston.
Good, accurate, data-filled reporting. Thanks!