If it was easy, it would happen all the time.
There have been only four previous programs to win both girls and boys team titles at the Civilian Marksmanship Program/HHSAA Air Riflery State Championships. Mid-Pacific became the fifth on Tuesday, capturing the boys and girls team crowns today at Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.
MPI’s boys took first with a score of 2,144, led by Anthony Umemoto (544), Michael Tam (536), Brandon Lum (532) and Christian Loo (532). Mid-Pacific won its first girls title since 2014 with a team score of 2,118, outpointing Sacred Hearts by eight points. The foursome of Owls were Sophia Crisci (537), Kimberly Oshiro (530), Charlize Jasmine Pascual-Tabuyo (526) and Zoe Oshiro (525).
With a combined four state titles since 2013, the Owls can be considered a dynasty. Coach Jon Narimatsu isn’t convinced, but his program has a chance to do something unprecedented in ’19: become the first program to sweep boys and girls titles in back-to-back years.
“It’s a lot of practice and getting them to focus on the right things,” Narimatsu said. “And keeping it fun. Most of these kids started in ninth grade. They do as good as the love they have for the sport.”
Crisci kept her focus throughout the long day. She was eighth entering the finals, where only the top eight shooters qualify, and then leaped over most of the competition to finish second behind Kalaheo’s Madissyn Marr.
“She’s a natural shooter,” Narimatsu said of Crisci.
He credited the work ethic of his shooters, as well as immense support.
“No rifle team can do well without huge support of the athletic department and the parents,” he said. “The kids are looking forward to the precision season. It’s one of the few sports they can participate in year-round.”
As for the prospects of becoming the first school to double-sweep in ’19? Mid-Pacific didn’t have any seniors this fall.
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