They share the same classes, the same cross-country coach, and also happen to be the best of friends. At Sunday’s Wee and DLT Whirled Pea’s Biathlon, only one second separated Konawaena sophomores Lawrence “Rama” Barrett and Cody Ranfranz. In the most evenly matched race for first place, it was evident that both also shared the same gut-wrenching desire to win.
They share the same classes, the same cross-country coach, and also happen to be the best of friends. At Sunday’s Wee and DLT Whirled Pea’s Biathlon, only one second separated Konawaena sophomores Lawrence “Rama” Barrett and Cody Ranfranz. In the most evenly matched race for first place, it was evident that both also shared the same gut-wrenching desire to win.
“I was so excited that they both came out,” said David Wild, assistant cross-country coach and math teacher at Konawaena High School. “It was a humbling experience to get beat by two of my cross-country boys and yet I felt so proud. Proud of Konawaena representing, and proud of being their coach.”
Ranfranz turned heads in July when he became the youngest victor in the 26-year history of Peaman biathlons. In August, it became clear that Ranfranz would have company at future Peaman events when Barrett busted out a stellar performance and placed second to him — by just 5 seconds — at Peaman’s Brown Bear Bash and Sunny Sprint.
On Sunday, with high surf and waters surging onto Kaiakeakua Beach, all eyes were focused on Ranfranz and Barrett for the friendly battle that was to unfold over the ¾-mile rough water swim and 3.9-mile run.
Madeline Foo was the first to run up the beach in a speedy time of 18 minutes and 4 seconds. Next was Bree Wee in 18:26 followed by Daniel Manzo at 18:37, and top relay swimmer Jim McCleery.
Right behind McCleery were Barrett and Ranfranz, both running up the beach and hitting the swim-to-run transition together. As the duo tore down Alii Drive, a pack made up of Keoni Smith, Wild, Danny Becker, Adam Ankrum and women’s leader, Jennifer Stabrylla, began a high-speed chase.
On the steamy run along Alii Drive, Barrett and Ranfranz ran shoulder-to-shoulder, each wondering when the other would show any sign of weakness. Like deja vu to last month’s event, the twosome began an all out sprint with 100 yards to go, causing excitement and loud cheers from awaiting family and friends. But this time, Barrett had the extra gear to outsprint Ranfranz 44:43 to 44:44 respectively.
“Rama is one of the best milers in the state,” said Patrick Bradley, head coach for the Konawaena cross-country team. “Last year he was the No. 1 ninth-grader in the state in the 1,500 during track season.”
Bradley said that after reading my column in July about Ranfranz’s amazing performance, he asked Barrett to persuade his best friend to come out for cross-country. Now with both boys running for Konawaena, Bradley couldn’t contain his excitement.
“I can’t wait to see what these two kids will do for cross-country over the next few years,” Bradley said. “They are only sophomores and they have such bright futures ahead of them.”
With Wild taking the third overall spot in 45:48, it became a clean sweep for Konawaena.
“This race separated the boys from the men,” Wild joked. “And the boys won. I kept thinking I’d get them on the run as my ego was on the line, but I was so proud of them.”
After a strong swim, Stabrylla said she held it together out on the run to finish as the first female in 58:56.
“My legs felt like lead out there,” Stabrylla said. “I haven’t run since the Kona (half marathon) in June and it showed. But it was all good as I had a lot of fun out there.”
Following Stabrylla was Leire Montoya in 1:02:35 and Serena Puaokalani in 1:04:00.
In the Split Pea relay division, McCleery and Erin Rene easily took top honors with their combined time of 50:58. Xochitl Reyes claimed the 3.9-mile Run Pea division with her time of 33:17.
Strong surf added to the excitement for the Pea Wee course as the 200-yard swim buoy began to drift causing an even shorter course for some of the participants.
Veteran Pea Wee racer, Kanaipono Eckart, propelled his way to the correct turnaround buoy to exit the water and start the 1-mile run in first. Once on Alii Drive, Eckart kicked it into another gear and sprinted through the finish line in a swift time of 10:46. A few strides back was Avan Becerra in 10:55, with Eckart’s sister Lainey, topping the female division with her speedy time of 11:18.
McCleery and his wife, Maggie McCleery, saw no competition in the Pea Wee Split Peas relay division with their time of 37:51. Lilo Fyrileiv topped the 200-yard swim in 2:56, and Austin Randerson claimed the 1-mile Pea Wee run in 8:15.
After the dust settled and all of the times were tabulated, many wondered if Ranfranz would still hold the title as the youngest in history to win a Peaman biathlon event. According to Barrett’s mother, Mila, her son Rama turned 15 in May. With Ranfranz still waiting to celebrate his 15th birthday on Sept. 28, Ranfranz will continue to hold that amazing distinction.
As a Konawaena alumna, nothing could make me feel more proud than to have the top three finishers at Sunday’s Peaman biathlon event all attendees at Konawaena High School.
Many might also remember that our very own, Peaman, is a former Konawaena cross-country and track standout. But back in those days, Peaman was the only runner on his team, and would show up to big meets against other high schools being the only one wearing green and white.
You can say he definitely represented Konawaena well as he went on to become one of the most amazing multisport athletes in the state, including being a four-time Ironman World Championship finisher. How about that for some Wildcat Pride?