Best on the island during the regular season and at BIIFs, Mekayla King didn’t budge a bit at states.
The Waiakea senior finished second at the HHSAA air riflery championships Tuesday, and as the only Big Island shooter to reach the finals she put on a rousing display at Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
“She did a fantastic job,” Warriors coach Mel Kawahara said. “She was just determined to do well.”
A fever did little to slow King down. In fact, she finished with a bang.
After competing in the three positions, King was the final competitor to qualify for the shootout, but she rose from eighth to second by posting the highest score of the day in the finals.
“When we looked at the scores entering the finals, we knew she couldn’t win,” Kawahara said. “But she wanted to finish strong and she did.”
Kawahara said spectators began to take notice as King flourished during the 10-shot final.
“That was a very exciting,” Kawahara said.
Lauren Kadooka held on to her big lead and became the first shooter from Kailua to win a state title, scoring 640. King posted a 629.7, and earned the highest finish for a BIIF girl since Waiakea’s Karise Kuroda took second in 2012.
Kamehameha-Hawaii narrowly missed out on dethroning Waiakea during the regular season, but it finally finished ahead of Waiakea on Tuesday, placing third. Iceley Andaya led the way for Kamehameha in 10th.
Shaye Nishimura and Tiara Pacheco were 11th and 13th, respectively, for Waiakea, which failed to finish in the top three for the first time in at least 11 years.
“We didn’t shoot bad, ” Kawahara said, “Kamehameha just beat us.”
Punahou claimed its first girls title since 2011, and Mid-Pacific was second.
Kamehameha produced the highest BIIF finisher on the boys side, with Devez Aniol placing 11th. St. Joseph’s Mark Nemeth was 18th and BIIF champion Bradon Miyake was 20th for Waiakea, which has placed in the top three at every state shoot in more than a decade.
“I’ll take that finish in a rebuilding year,” Kawahara said.
Moanalua became the first public school other than Waiakea to win a boys team title at states, and Pearl City was second.
Justin Pascua (641) was the only boys shooter to score higher than Kadooka, giving Kalaheo its first state champion.
RESULTS
Tuesday in Honolulu
GIRLS
Team
1. Punahou 2,137; 2. Mid-Pacific 2,106; 3. Kamehameha-Hawaii 2,094; 4, Waiakea 2,091; 5. St. Anthony 2,002; 6. Pearl City 2,001; 7. Kalaheo 1,996; 8. Waimea 1,985; 9. Kalani 1,940
Individual
For top eight who reached the finals, scores listed for three positions (prone, standing, kneeling), qualification total, final shootout and overall total
1. Kadooka, Lauren Kailua 196-175-180-551-89.0–640.0
2. King , Mekayla Waiakea 186-170-178-534-95.7–629.7
3. Smith, Mahina Mid-Pacific Institute 191-165-185-541-87.0–628.0
4. Baptist, Camille Punahou 190-165-186-541-84.3–625.3
5. Okimoto, Alyssa Island Pacific Academy 191-164-180-535-89.1–624.1
6. Kobashigawa, Kyra Island Pacific Academy 196-161-182-539-83.1–622.1
7. Hamada, Joli Punahou 187-167-183-537-83.1–620.1
8. Kwock, Heidi Punahou 182-166-184-532-85.7–617.7
9. Nakamoto, Meagan Mid-Pacific Institute 184-172-176–532
10. Fa’agata, Tiari Kamehameha 184-166-181–531
11. Nishimura, Shaye Waiakea 192-156-180–528
12. Martines, Mackenzie Punahou 188-161-178–527
13. Pacheco, Tiara Waiakea 185-164-177–526
14. Dinh, Queenique Moanalua 182-163-181–526
15. Hooker, Kelci Kailua 188-168-170–526
Also
16. Andaya, Iceley Kamehameha 184-161-181–526
23. Broad, Cobi Kamehameha 176-166-178–520
26. Sipinga, Pisila Kamehameha 188-156-173–517
38. Nakamoto, Anne Waiakea 184-150-169–503
44. Muranaka-Ozeki , Jhordyn Waiakea 187-150-160–497
BOYS
Team
1. Moanalua 2,091; 2. Pearl City 2,008; 3. Waiakea 1,997; 4. Waianae 1,964; 5. Kamehameha-Kapalama 1,954; 6. Kauai 1,950; 7. Punahou 1,561
Individual
1. Pascua, Justin Kalaheo 192-170-187-549-92.0–641.0
2. Kimata, Nicholas P5-Hawaii Baptist Academy 190-170-177-537-90.0–627.0
3. Kam, Aaron Mid-Pacific Institute 192-168-179-539-85.4–624.4
4. Ebesu, Evan P5-Hawaii Baptist Academy 185-171-178-534-88.8–622.8
5. Lung, Ian Moanalua 186-174-173-533-86.7–619.7
6. Hasebe, John St. Louis School 187-166-191-544-74.9–618.9
7. Gillette, John, Jr. Island Pacific Academy 189-164-182-535-83.0–618.0
8. Yeager, Jake Island Pacific Academy 193-163-175-531-73.8–604.8
9. Axt, Kyle Punahou 186-155-185–526
10. Zerez, Jonathan Punahou 187-168-168–523
11. Aniol, Devez Kamehameha-Hawaii 188-160-175–523
12. Fukumitsu, Cole Moanalua 187-169-167–523
13. Kaalekahi Jershon Molokai 189-155-178–522
14. Goo, Nolan St. Francis School 191-159-171–521
15. Cambra Kody Kamehameha-Maui 192-163-165–520
Also
18. Nemeth, Mark St Joseph 190-160-170–520
20. Miyake, Bradon Waiakea 191-154-173–518
31. Morimoto, Devon Waiakea 182-153-170–505
37. Aguiar, Kawika Christian Liberty 178-147-174–499
39. Gali, Isaiah Hilo 186-132-179–497
40. Soultz, Skylar Waiakea 187-149-160–496
44. Molina, Robert Hilo 179-137-171–487
48. Corpuz, Mackenzy Waiakea 185-145-148–478
