Kaiser’s Kristen O’Handley was named the Hawaii Gatorade track and field athlete of the year Thursday.
The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the track.
The 5-foot-10 senior won four individual events at the state championship meet spring, leading the Cougars to a second-place finish as a team. O’Handley captured the 100-meter dash in a meet-record 12.01 seconds, won the 200-meter dash in 25.69, broke the tape in the 400-meter dash in 57.61 and cleared 5 feet, 2 inches to claim the high jump.
Co-founder and vice president of her school’s Agriculture Club, O’Handley has volunteered locally on behalf of wetland restoration efforts and youth track programs.
“Kristen can be successful at any event on the track,” Kaiser coach Kevin Kruszona said. “She works very hard, she has great family support and she’s just a wonderful student-athlete.”
O’Handley is a recent inductee into the Hawaii High School Hall of Honor.
O’Handley graduated with a 4.0 grade-point average and signed a to compete in track and field on scholarship at Portland State.
Recent Hawaii Gatorade girls track and field athletes of the year
>> 2017: Kristen O’Handley, Kaiser
>> 2016: Emma Taylor, Hawaii Prep
>> 2015: Kathleen Funcheon, Moanalua
>> 2014: Alyssa Bettendorf, Seabury Hall
>> 2013: Zoe Sims, Hawaii Prep
>> 2012: Charlinda Ioane, Kapolei
>> 2011: Kailea-Tracy-Visintainer, Seabury Hall
>> 2010: Ashley Satterwhite, Punahou
>> 2009: Bailey Massenburg, King Kekaulike
>> 2008: Zhane Santiago, Kahuku
>> 2007: Samantha Cabreros, Punahou
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