When people think boys hurdles statewide this year, they think of Rey Cadiz of Baldwin.
But Kamehameha’s Tanner Moku is turning heads and dropping jaws, too.
Moku ran a 37.99 seconds in the 300 hurdles to win the ILH championship Saturday at Kamehameha.
Not only is it the best for Hawaii in 2019, it’s also better than Dana Navarro-Arias‘ 38.10 for Maui High in 1999 that still stands as the state-meet record.
Nobody, not even Moku, saw this coming.
“That was unexpected for me, man,” said Moku, who also won the 110 hurdles in 14.69 on Saturday. “I had never run a 38 before, so for me to drop a 37, that’s crazy for me. I didn’t believe it when they announced it.”
It should make Cadiz take notice. Cadiz won both the 110 (with a record 14.20) and 300 at last year’s states and had the best 300 time in Hawaii (39.49) this season before Saturday. He still has the best 110 time (14.30) of 2019.
“I tried to make a move early,” Moku added. “Chris Paige of Punahou (who finished second in a blistering 38.92), was my competition. I had a lot of adrenaline in the first 100, so I was thinking as long as I can keep this guy close to me and keep ahead a little and maintain that the rest of the race, I can come out on top.”
Moku is the son of Sam Moku, who is the athletic director at Hawaii Pacific University and a former UH football player.
As a matter of fact, Sam Moku asked ILH officials for a printout of the results of that race for a keepsake.
“I couldn’t believe it when my dad told me that it was better than the state-meet record,” Tanner Moku said.
Tanner’s sister, Tatum Moku of Damien, is an up-and-coming pole vaulter. She is only in eighth grade but has won two high school events this season.
Go Moku’s! You are smoking!
Attaboy T!