Liam Corbett is starting the season on the top, staying there will be the tough part.
Corbett, who took over the top spot in Hawaii Prep World’s boys pound-for-pound rankings after earning his second OIA title last year, is still in the top spot in this year’s initial tally.
Corbett is Hawaii’s only reigning Fargo All-American and is a heavy favorite to take his second state title. He began this season with a trip to the Garner Ivey Invitational on Maui and cruised through his weight class for the title.
He beat Oregon’s Guillermo Cruz 16-3 and Kasey Kikuyama of Pearl City 19-12 before pinning Jacob Naosusuga of Waianae 1:32 into the title match.
No. 2 Cameron Kato of Punahou did not compete on Maui, but has been plenty busy since taking his first state crown last year. Kato became a Fargo All-American over the summer and followed it up with a first-place finish in the varsity division of the Freak Show.
Kapolei’s Shandon Ilaban-Totten looms as well, going from honorable mention at the beginning of last season to No. 2 in the state. He starts this season at No. 3, just ahead of Kamehameha’s Blaysen Terukina. Ilaban-Totten won his bracket at MIT by scores of 17-2, 17-6 and 16-6.
Boys Wrestling Pound-For-Pound Rankings
1. Liam Corbett, Leilehua (160 pounds)
state champ, state second, state fifth, 2 time OIA champ.
2. Cameron Kato, Punahou (126)
state champ, two time ILH champ.
3. Shandon Ilaban-Totten, Kapolei (132)
state champ, state third, two time OIA
4. Blaysen Terukina, Kamehameha (132)
state champ, state third twice, three time ILH
5. KJ Pascua, Iolani (152)
state champ, state second, two time ILH
6. Zack Diamond, Mililani (138)
state fourth, state second twice, OIA champ
7. Corey Cabanban, Saint Louis (106)
state champ, ILH champ
8. Thomas Stevenson, Baldwin (152)
state second, state third, two time MIL
9. Triston Santos, Campbell (113)
state champ, OIA champ
10. Connor Villarmia, Damien (170)
state champ
Also: James Sullivan, Campbell; Jayson Pagurayan, Kapolei; Josh Gallarde, Campbell; Kayson Takenaka, Iolani; Sheldon Bailey, Waianae; Kainalu Estrella, Lahianaluna; Jake Nakasone, Iolani; Micah Tynanes-Perez, Campbell; Troy Waki, Baldwin.
One glaring omission here is two-time state champion Chance Ikei or Kaiser, but he moved to Arizona for his senior year. If he were included, he would be somewhere in the top five. Watch out for Kapolei’s Jayson Pagurayan, who beat eventual state champion Triston Santos by major decision last year before the big tournament and has a win over Kato as well. James Sullivan of Campbell should enter these rankings after Officials, he was seconds away from winning a state title last year and figures to roll through the 220-pound division this year.
These rankings will be updated after Officials and throughout the year, along with team rankings that will begin after Officials.
Any sign of official brackets yet?
no, not yet. But I have been assured I will get them tonight.
Jake Nakasone needs to be on the list. Diamond hasn’t proven himself at all this season and should be no higher than 10th. Terukina and Totten switch places.
I was thinking that Sullivan should be on the list over Villarmia.
Not sure Nakasone will even be ILH Champ.
Jake Nakasone is the real deal.
I can’t predict whether Jake will be an ILH or state champion. But for the sake of this ranking he deserves to be here.