LAHAINA, Maui — Edison Hidalgo says he stands 5-foot-3. His coach gives him 5-2.

No matter exactly how tall Hidalgo is — and he may be on the smaller end of either of the above estimates — the muscular 112-pound Lahainaluna High School wrestler carries a lot on his wide shoulders.

His mother, Catalina, died two days before returning from a trip to the Philippines two years ago when Hidalgo was a freshman. His father, Amor, requires help getting around from Edison and his 21-year-old brother Warren because of a hip replacement a couple years ago.

Hidalgo missed qualifying as a 103-pounder — the lowest weight class in high school wrestling — by less than a pound during a preseason weigh-in, forcing him into the 112-pound class.

He has a 17-2 record at 112 and has also gone 5-2 when he stepped up to 119. One of his wins came over two-time state champion Bryson Fukushima of Punahou in a three-minute, time-shortened match at the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Invitational. The 5-3 decision gives Hidalgo some ammunition when the state seeding meeting comes up next week.

The Maui Interscholastic League championships are first on the agenda, however, tomorrow at the Baldwin gym.

Hidalgo, seeded first at 112, is a big part of the puzzle for the Lunas, who hope to find all the pieces to when they shoot for the first state title ever for a Neighbor Island team next week at the Blaisdell Arena.

If Hidalgo runs into Fukushima again at state it could be a pivotal match between the pair of team title contenders.

''In the beginning I was disappointed I didn't make 103, but then when we went to O'ahu and I wrestled 112, I was really happy because I think I can take it this year,'' Hidalgo said to The Maui News. ''I defeated the two-time state champion and that could be a big match at state. MILs is what we are thinking about right now, but we want to take state this year.''

Lunas coach Todd Hayase said that Hidalgo is a perfect example of the Lunas' quest for a state team title.

''Edison has been wrestling in the youth program for years and years and I think this year what we are seeing as coaches is a kid who is maturing into a real complete wrestler,'' Hayase said. ''Obviously physically, but also mentally, he is really focused. He trains hard and he sets his goals.

''He is probably the most ripped wrestler in the league right now. He is at 7 percent (body fat) right now. He is really low, he's ripped and he trains year-round.''

Hayase knows that Hidalgo has overcome more than most 16-year-olds have to face.

''He is pretty quiet, pretty reserved,'' Hayase said. ''I find out through the grapevine that he is working on Sundays basically to help out for the dad and himself. I know he does a lot of it on his own. His dad is there, but Edison helps out a lot. I am really proud of that kid — he has come a long way.''

To contend at state, the Lunas need to advance wrestlers in all 14 weight classes, which requires a top-four finish in the MIL meet. If Hidalgo wins his weight class Saturday, there is the possibility of a rematch with Fukushima in the state final.

''I wanted to meet up with him and I would like to see him again,'' Hidalgo said. ''It was good to beat him because even the other teams were cheering for me. I want to beat him again.''

Hidalgo has devoted this season to the memory of his mother.

''She went to the Philippines for a vacation and she was ready to come back in two days, but she went to the hospital and she had a heart problem and she passed away,'' he said. ''I want to dedicate this whole year to her — that is why I want to take the state title, so I can dedicate it to her.''

On his father, Hidalgo said, ''He is disabled and stuff. He had a hip replacement and he walks with a limp. He can get around, but not that good. I want him to be at state, but I'm not sure he can make it. I just try to help my dad as much as I can. He always tells me to do stuff and I always try to do what he says. He helps me a lot.''

Amor Hidalgo said he couldn't be more proud of his youngest son.

''He is a good boy and he helps me out whenever I need it,'' the father said.

Edison Hidalgo was the MIL runner-up last season at 103 and won his first match at state before taking a 6-1 lead in the quarterfinals on the No. 1 seed from Saint Louis before he was pinned with 30 seconds left while still leading 6-5. Hidalgo then lost his consolation match by a point to end his state tournament.

Hidalgo looks at the Lunas' defending state champions Lake Casco and Travis Okano and hopes he sees the future. A few times in practice, he has faced Okano, the No. 1 seed this weekend at 130 and a two-time state champ.

''Especially Travis, sometimes I wrestle with him in practice and he is pretty tough,'' Hidalgo said of facing a Division I prospect whom he gives up 20 pounds to. ''He makes me wrestle harder every time I face him. I always want to get takedowns against him, which is hard, but it makes me better.''

Okano said that he tries to help Hidalgo whenever he can.

''Edison is in great condition and he never gives up,''' Okano said. ''He is quick, he is littler, and I try to help him get better. When he wrestles all of us he gets better every time. I do what I can to help him. If there are tips I can give him, then that is what I do.''

Hidalgo works shifts every Sunday at the Plantation House restaurant to earn money for the expenses he incurs for wrestling. It also helps with the family income for his father who is on a limited retirement budget.

''He doesn't have to give me money and I don't have to ask him,'' Hidalgo said. ''That makes me feel good.''

If Hidalgo can win his weight class, it would also insure a top-four seed when he gets to state, another priority.

''It is not just about championships in the MIL,'' Hayase said. ''We are looking for a little more than that — the completeness as a wrestler. Our number one goal is definitely to qualify all 14 guys for the state tournament. You are going to need all of them.

''I'm real proud of how they have been preparing and they have all been pushing each other real hard. We are definitely hoping for those championships because at the state level you want to be the MIL number one.''

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