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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Moanalua boys judo top seed in tourney

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff

The undefeated Moanalua boys judo team hopes to stay on a roll as the top seed in Friday's O'ahu Interscholastic Association Team Championships at 'Aiea High School.

Na Menehune completed the regular season 9-0. The top four teams from the Eastern and Western divisions will participate in a single-elimination, tournament-style dual meet.

Moanalua meets West No. 4 Leilehua (4-3) in the quarterfinals.

"I think we're decent and we have a chance like anybody else," said Na Menehune head coach Richard Nakatsu, who is in his 20th season. Moanalua's last OIA team title was in 1997.

At Saturday's Eastern Division Individual Championships, Moanalua players won the first six weight classes and were runners-up in two others.

Derron Maki won his third consecutive East title, defeating teammate Dillon Iwabuchi, in the 121-pound final.

"From the start, our goals were to be No. 1 in the East and then to win team championships," said Maki, a junior brown belt. "I think the team is almost ready."

In other quarterfinal matches, West No. 1 Mililani (7-0) takes on East No. 4 Kahuku (6-3), East No. 2 Castle (7-2) faces West No. 3 Kapolei (4-2-1) and defending champion and West No. 2 Pearl City (6-1) meets East No. 3 McKinley (7-2) in a rematch of last year's final.

Like the Moanalua boys' unbeaten streak, the McKinley girls are cruising into Friday's meet. The Tigers enter as the Eastern Division's top seed at 9-0 and square off with West No. 4 Waialua (3-3-1) in the quarterfinal round.

"It's going to be an exciting time because everybody's going to be driving for the win and those with full teams (10 players) will be looking to upset McKinley," said Kapolei head coach Scott Hawkins.

The Hurricanes (6-1) finished second in the Western Division to Pearl City (7-0) and meet East No. 3 Farrington (7-2). The Chargers meet East No. 4 Moanalua (6-3) and East No. 2 Kahuku (8-1) faces West No. 3 Mililani (3-2-2).

Nora Kent won McKinley's lone Eastern Division title at 139 pounds Saturday, but the defending champion Tigers got runner-up finishes at 98, 103, 109, 115 and 129 pounds with three-time state champion Liane Tomishima (122) sitting out to rest injuries.

McKinley coach Lance Iida is still wary of several teams.

"You have to look at Pearl City, they're undefeated. Moanalua and Farrington also have potential," he said.

Quarterfinal matches begin at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $6 adults and $4 for students.