Wrestling

By not looking ahead, Moanalua’s Elijah Asuncion has something new he can look fondly back on. Asuncion beat Waianae’s Branson Magsayo 3-1 in overtime on Saturday night to secure his third OIA championship, becoming just the third boy from the school to do so along with Logan Garcia (2018) and Joey Bareng (2000). The accomplishment came just under a year since he lost to Magsayo to prevent him from repeating as state champion. “I’m super happy right now, but it was […]

One of the things that makes a slam so coveted is that you have to be perfect as a freshman and stay that way for four years. Paige Respicio is an example of that excellence, starting with the Kamehameha wrestling team in the seventh grade and reaching the top of the league just two years later. Respicio finished off the career ILH slam with a win over teammate Tessia Mauia on Saturday. She is the third Kamehameha girl in a row […]

Kysen Terukina had a lot of assists to hand out after pulling off the ILH slam at Kamehameha on Saturday. Perhaps the biggest one went to his opponent.  Sure, Terukina mentioned his coaches, teammates and famous family after shutting out Elijah Kaawa of Saint Louis 5-0 in the final. But it was the Crusader who got most of the praise. “I give him props, he comes out every week and wrestles, since my freshman year,” Terukina said. “He makes every […]

The Punahou boys wrestling team is getting pretty tired of second place.  The Buffanblu had more ILH champions (seven) than Kamehameha (five) on Saturday at the league championships held at Kamehameha, but still could not wrestle the crown from the defending champions. Punahou also finished second to Kamehameha last year at states, and hasn’t won it all since Matt Oney‘s dynasty drew its final breath in 2012.  “It’s amazing after last year, coming in second in the ILH and second […]

The finals matchups are set and will begin at approximately 8 p.m. in the OIA wrestling championships. Updates will follow below. Only three top seeds failed to make the final. >> PHOTO GALLERY: OIA championships The marquee final comes in the boys 152-pound division as No. 3 pound-for-pound Branden Pagurayan of Kapolei will face No. 6 pound-for-pound Boltyn Taam of Moanalua. Three boys and five girls participating in the finals are ranked in Hawaii Prep World’s pound-for-pound rankings. UPDATE: Mats […]

For the third straight year, Kamehameha is ready to crown another all-time great. Paige Respicio will be going for her fourth ILH title today in her home gym, following the slams achieved by Ashley Gooman last year and Zion Grace Vierra in 2018. Respicio would become the eighth Warrior to achieve the feat. The only one who can keep her from the glory is a teammate. She is the top seed at 140 pounds and has a bye to the […]

There is no rule saying you have to have a legendary name to win four ILH titles for Kamehameha, it only seems that way. Kysen Terukina will aim at the honor at today’s ILH Championships at Kamehameha, trying to join his brother, Blaysen Terukina from 2016, and Jacob Luning-Hoshino from 2011 as the only Warriors to accomplish the feat. Terukinas from Kamehameha have won 10 ILH crowns over the years when you add in Shayden‘s haul. Hoshinos have won six. […]

Until last year, it hadn’t happened in forever. Now lightning can strike two years in a row. Kawehi Gillcoat completed the MIL slam last season on his way to a runner-up finish at states, and now it is Coby Ravida’s turn. The Baldwin lightweight is the top seed at 120 pounds in this weekend’s MIL Championships at Kamehameha-Maui. He won his first two championships at 106 pounds before stepping up and taking the gold at 113 last year. Ravida’s brother […]