'Anuenue defended its girls title while the defending state champion Kalaheo boys crew continued its unbeaten season at yesterday's O'ahu Interscholastic Association paddling championships at Ke'ehi Lagoon.

'Anuenue won the girls race in 9 minutes, 5.62 seconds for its fifth league championship in the last six years. Kalaheo won the boys race in 7:50.17 and its mixed crew capped off the afternoon by winning in 8:28.95. All race distances were one mile.

"It went pretty smooth," said 'Anuenue junior Kehaulani Kelii, who steered for the crew of Kawehi McShane, Kahoku Keala, Kaleihiwa Naauao, Awapuhi Koanui-Kong and Kaulahea Crawford-Kapanui. "Everybody worked together. When I called the kicks, they kicked."

Nanakuli was right behind 'Anuenue until Na Koa pulled away in the final 1/4-mile of the race. The Golden Hawks finished second in 9:25.48.

"I just told them to stay in our canoe and know what we have to do to win," 'Anuenue coach Byron Martinez said.

With three returnees from last year's state championship crew, Kalaheo continued its unbeaten season by outpaddling Kaiser, which finished second in 7:57.01.

"We went out and pushed hard," said Kalaheo's Alika Guilliaume, who is one of the three returnees along with Shawn Reed and Nick Seeger. "We looked down the line (at the turns) and knew everybody started to catch up. We had to push harder. That's where all the training comes in."

Also on Kalaheo's winning crew were Kaoru Lovett, Barak Argov and Wade Applebaum.

Guilliaume, Seeger and Reed teamed with Shelby Singlehurst, Courtney Wemple and Chelsea Kahalepauole-Bizik to win the mixed race in 8:28.95.

"We're looking to double up at states," Guilliaume said. "Nobody's done that before."

Kahalepauole-Bizik, a senior who steered the winning mixed crew, said she didn't have to make many calls during the race.

"I didn't have to tell them," Kahalepauole-Bizik said. "They know when I want them to push. We know when to push."

Added Kalaheo coach Julian Wicker: "I'm extremely proud. For some, they've been working hard since November and some for the past four years."

Nanakuli's mixed crew was second in 8:38.07.

"It was fun, an experience to remember," said Nanakuli senior Camille Simon, who was on the girls and mixed crews. "Everybody pushed hard and we did our best."

Nanakuli claimed the perpetual Tesoro Cup, awarded to the school that accumulates the most points during the season. The Golden Hawks won last week's OIA West girls, boys and mixed titles.

"It was a banner season for us," Nanakuli coach Ryan Van Gieson said. "The kids worked really hard, endured a lot, practiced a lot. We didn't win every race today, we were just consistent. We pulled together to achieve this goal."

Yesterday's top nine boys and girls and top 10 mixed crews qualified for Saturday's state championships on Maui. Grabbing the last two boys spots were charter schools Halau Lokahi and Halau Ku Mana.

In the 1/2-mile junior varsity races, Radford won the boys and girls titles while Kalaheo won the mixed title.

For results, see For the Record.