KAILUA-KONA – On their home turf, the Waveriders simply weren’t going to let any other school steal the spotlight.
For the first time in their high school careers, Kealakehe’s cross country runners hosted an event on the campus of Kealakehe High School Saturday morning, and the Waveriders did not disappoint. Kealakehe’s Cozette Wood won the girls’ race, while fellow Waverider Levi Childers notched his fourth straight victory to open the BIIF season.
“It’s fun to have a meet here where we can just enjoy our own course a couple minutes from home,” said Childers, whose 17:51.37 finish was his second-fastest time of the year. “It’s just so rewarding to have it here once again after a long time.”
“It’s pretty cool competing here,” added Wood, whose time of 20:28.90 put her in first for the first time after a trio of second-place finishes. “We just feel more like a team when we’re at our own race.”
Childers led a strong performance for the Kealakehe boys, who swept the top three and placed five runners in the top eight to win with a team score of 19. Cameron Cornforth was less than eight seconds behind Childers in second, followed by Aiden Ankrum in third with a time of 18:07.72. Archer Ankrum took fifth in 18:28.83, and Landon Cabatbat rounded out Kealakehe’s scorers in eighth, crossing the line in 19:41.05.
Konawaena’s Issac Keanaaina took fourth, finishing in 18:14.47.
Wood outpaced the field by a wide margin, besting second-place Sofia Mattix of Makua Lani by 87 seconds. Hawaii Prep placed four runners in the top 10 – Bella Dadzie in third (22.08.30), Wynter Radey-Morgan in fourth (22:52.32), Anita Lockwood in eighth (24:06.32) and Tiffany Ravaglia in 10th (24:24.13) to win the girls team race with 32 points. Kealakehe was second with 43 points, with Wood and Avadia Clark (fifth with a time of 22:52.32) cracking the top five.
Waiakea and Hilo were notably absent Saturday morning. Kealakehe’s boys had battled with Waiakea through the first three weeks of the season, trading team victories.
On the girls’ side, Hilo sophomore Hulali Halpern’s absence opened the door for a new winner; Halpern had won all three previous BIIF races.
The Big Island’s runners will be back in action next Saturday morning, when they compete at Waiakea.
Football
Hilo 2, Waiakea 0 (forfeit)
The Warriors were forced to forfeit Saturday’s contest due to not having enough players.
Hilo (3-1) will hit the road next Friday to play against Keaau (1-2). Waiakea, meanwhile, is currently scheduled to play at Konawaena on Friday, Sept. 30.
Pahoa 40, Kau 38
The Daggers finally broke into the win column with a tight victory over the Trojans Saturday afternoon in Pahoa.
Friday
Kamehameha 40, Kohala 0
Michael Perry threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Ethan Bowden ran for another pair of scores as the Warriors bounced back from their first loss of the season with a convincing victory over the Cowboys.
Kamehameha (4-1) will host Pahoa (1-4) next Friday night.
Honokaa 30, Hawaii Prep 6
The Dragons remain atop the BIIF D-II standings after notching their fifth straight victory.
Honokaa (5-0) will travel to Kohala (2-3) Saturday afternoon hoping to keep their perfect record intact.
Hawaii Prep (3-2) will play at Kau (0-5) looking to get back into the win column.
Volleyball
Konawaena def. Makua Lani 25-3, 25-8, 25-15
The Wildcats have now won five BIIF matches in a row to remain atop the BIIF D-II standings.
Konawaena (6-1) will host Pahoa (2-5) Wednesday night looking to push their winning streak to six. Makua Lani (0-5) will travel to Kau Wednesday night hoping to earn their first BIIF victory of the year.
Parker def. Pahoa 25-22, 26-24, 25-22
The Bulls (2-3) will have a two-match winning streak heading into Wednesday’s contest at BIIF D-I leader Kamehameha (8-0).
Kau def. Kohala 17-25,25-16, 25-19, 25-21
Kau extended their winning streak to four with Saturday’s victory over the Cowgirls.
The Trojans (4-1) will host Kealakahe (3-3) Monday night.
Friday
Hilo def. Waiakea 26-24, 25-14, 20-25, 25-16
The Vikings dealt the Warriors their first loss of the season in BIIF play.
Hilo (4-1) will travel to Christian Liberty (1-7) Tuesday night, while Waiakea (5-1) will host Kohala (4-4).
Keaau def. Christian Liberty 25-16, 25-17, 25-17
Friday’s sweep halted a five-match skid for the Cougars.
Keaau (2-5) will host Honokaa (3-5) Tuesday night.