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LIVE BLOG: 2019 State Wrestling Championships Day 2

By Billy Hull on February 21, 2019

Day 2 of the Texaco/HHSAA State Wrestling Championships begins at 10 a.m. at the Blaisdell Arena. We will once again provide live coverage throughout the day that will end with finals beginning at 3:30 p.m. There will be more updates of individual matches in the blog below the results. ———- FINAL BOYS STANDINGS: 1. Kamehameha, 228.5; 2. Punahou, 154.5; 3. Lahainaluna, 132; 4. Baldwin, 125; 5. Moanalua, 110.5; 6. Leilehua, 90.5; 7. Saint Louis, 77.5; 8. Kalaheo, 71; 9. Kapolei, […]

Three-time champ Tatsuhiko Hikiji passes skills on to daughter

By Nick Abramo on February 21, 2019

The way back machine takes us to 1968, 1969 and 1970, when Tatsuhiko Hikiji won state wrestling championships while competing for Kaimuki. He was the first boy to do it three times in Hawaii, and now his daughter, Erin Hikiji, is a freshman wrestling for Mililani. She is going for third place at 97 pounds Thursday afternoon at the Texaco/HHSAA State Wrestling Championships. “I think she’s actually a good wrestler, yeah,” Tatsuhiko Hikiji said. “She’s learned a lot by watching […]

Punahou’s Zander Manuel is surprise finalist at 182

By Nick Abramo on February 21, 2019

Punahou’s Zander Manuel is gunning for a first state title. Unexpectedly. After upsetting second-seeded Vance Keliihoomalu in the 182-pound division of the Texaco/HHHSA Wrestling State Championships at Blaisdell Arena on Thursday, Manuel heads to the final later in the afternoon against Kamehameha’s Kainalu Huddy, the top seed. Keliihoomalu was disqualified after an illegal headbutt in the final seconds after he fell way behind and was visibly frustrated. “I came into this match with the coaches telling me to wrestle my […]


No. 7 Kawehi Gillcoat to meet No. 9 Kaena DeSantos in 138 final

By Nick Abramo on February 21, 2019

It’s a Lahainaluna boy vs. a Leilehua lad in the 138-pound final. As expected, Kawehi Gillcoat and Kaena Desantos, the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds who are ranked Nos. 7 and 9 in Hawaii Prep World’s pound-for-pound rankings, are going to see who survives Thursday for the title at the Texaco/HHSAA Wrestling State Championships. In the semifinals, Gillcoat pinned Mililani’s Elijah Diamond, and Desantos edged Kamehameha’s Kanai Tapia 5-3. “I want to win it,” said Gillcoat, who is a four-time […]

Alana Dela Pena’s mom applauds quick work by trainers

By Nick Abramo on February 21, 2019

Wednesday was not a good day for Moanalua’s Alana Dela Pena. The OIA champion and fourth seed in the 184-pound bracket at the Texaco/HHSAA State Wrestling championships, Dela Pena suffered a severe injury in her ankle when she landed wrong while being taken down by Aiea’s Jalyssa Ingram in a first-round match. Trainers and other responders worked quickly to immobilize her leg, put it in a splint and get her on a stretcher and out of the building to a […]

Saint Louis releases Sol Batoon after two seasons

By Paul Honda on February 21, 2019

Two days ago, a rumor swirled about Sol Batoon’s status as the boys basketball coach at Saint Louis. On Thursday morning, the rumor transformed into reality. Saint Louis administrators met with Batoon early in the day and told him he has been released as head coach. “I have no regrets. I enjoyed the experience,” Batoon said. “We had a successful year and turned the culture around.” The Crusaders began the nonconference season with a 7-0 mark, including a win over […]

Hoopbook: Perhaps the strongest D-II field in history

By Paul Honda on February 21, 2019

Here’s a look at the Division II bracket of the Snapple/HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships, which tips off on Thursday. The eight-team field makes it tight quarters with no room for slippage compared to the 12-team fields in boys D-I, and the girls D-I and D-II brackets. Division II Damien (25-2) vs. Kohala (13-3) Kalani gym Thursday, 7 p.m. >> Status: Damien is the top seed in this tourney. The ILH champion Monarchs are the team to beat, a D-II […]

LIVE BLOG: 2019 State Wrestling Championships

By Billy Hull on February 20, 2019

The 2019 Texaco/HHSAA State Wrestling Championships take place Feb. 20 and 21 on another Wednesday/Thursday combination. Hawaii Prep World will provide up-to-the-minute coverage throughout the entire two days beginning with the first qualifying matches on Wednesday that start at 10 a.m. >> CLICK HERE FOR THE DAY 2 BLOG. Our main state tournament wrestling page can be found here. BOYS TEAM STANDINGS AFTER DAY 1: 1. Kamehameha, 105; 2. Punahou, 75; t3. Baldwin, Lahainaluna, 70; 5. Moanalua, 60.5; 6. Kapolei, […]