Kaiser’s Roselani Ikei and Kamehameha’s Paige Respcio advanced to the final of the 132-pound girls division at the Texaco/HHSAA State Wrestling Championships Thursday at Blaisdell Arena.
Ikei, the OIA champ, is going for her first state title, and so is Respcio, the ILH champ.
“I have to be aware out there because (Paige) is a really good wrestler,” Ikei said. “As long as I keep my positioning right, I should be OK.”
Respicio is confident.
“I got this,” said the sophomore, whose brother Kachi is in the boys 170 semifinals later Thursday. “I’ve been training so hard this season so I feel like I can trust my work ethic when I’m on that mat. It is a relief to get through the semifinals. I didn’t make it through last year.”
Respicio lost in the 127-pound semifinals to Baldwin’s Jahnea Miguel. They were both freshmen at the time.
According to one coach who knows Respicio, she was regarded as a possible four-time champion when she arrived as a freshman last year. Now, after that loss to Miguel, it is Miguel who can do that.
Incidentally, Respicio beat Miguel at both the Officials and Paani tournaments this year .
Miguel pinned Waianae’s Kaleinani Makuaole in 3:29 to make the 145-pound final.
“I’m going to try my best to get another state title,” Miguel said.
She faces Castle’s Sadie Antoque, the OIA champ, in the final later Thursday.
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