Athletes test skills at Football Combine

Michael Lasquero | SL

KALAEPOHAKU — The clouds of rain over the Hawaii Football Combine came in waves, but so did the participants.

Over 350 student athletes tested their skills in various drills in the annual event at Saint Louis School Saturday morning. Participants took part in the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, vertical and broad jump.

The combine was in its 15th year, but was the first without Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance and executive director Doris Sullivan heading it. The non-profit organization that has helped local student athletes get in touch with college coaches stop operations earlier this year due to a lack of funding.

Taking up the mantle of organizing the event was former University of Hawaii defensive back Kenny Patton.

"Doris is such an amazing lady. I did not know how much it goes into doing this. I'm just amazed that she was able to do it for that many years and I appreciate that she was able to pass the torch to me," said Patton, who also conducts speed training for prep and collegiate athletes.

"I think most parents and kids are happy with what's going on here. It's been quite the process, but I enjoy it."

While good performances in the various drills can boost a prospect's recruiting stock, Patton stressed that the combine was a good measuring stick for self-improvement.

"(With) the combine, there is a misconception that it's going to get you recruited. That's now what it's about," he said. "It's about seeing where you are, and seeing what you need to get better (at) because when you have a laser time, you can't argue (it). That's exactly how fast you are, that's how high you jump. You're either happy with the scores or you keep building on it."

Hawaii Football Combine Top Performers:
Electronic 40 yards dash
1) 4.57 secs- Kai Kaneshiro (St. Louis / DB)
2) 4.58 secs- Jarratt Kaopuiki (Mililani / DB)
3) 4.58 secs- Tony Cabral (Waianae / DB)
4) 4.61 secs- Roman Wilson (St. Louis / WR)
5) 4.62 secs- Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala (Our Lady of Perpetual Help / WR)

Pro agility (20-yard shuttle)
1) 3.93 secs- Micah Kalei (St. Francis / WR)
2) 4.00 secs- Dustin Gapusan (Mililani / DB)
3) 4.03 secs- Keoni Pangan (Kaiser / DB)
4) 4.10 secs- Makana LaBoy (Iolani / DB)
5) 4.18 secs- Dillon Gabriel (Mililani / QB)

Vertical Jump
1) 36 inches- Justin Uahinui (Farrington / QB)
2) 35.5 inches- Tiger Peterson (Kamehameha / DB)
3) 35.5 inches- Tielu Mamea (Mililani / DB)
4) 35.5 inches- Micah Kalei (St. Francis / WR)
5) 35 inches- Jonah Soakai (Radford / DB)

Broad Jump
1) 9' 8" - Chevan Cordeiro (St. Louis / QB)
2) 9' 6" - Makana LaBoy (Iolani / DB)
3) 9' 6" - Micah Kalei (St. Francis / WR)
4) 9' 4" - Jonah Soakai (Radford / DB)
5) 9' 4" - Roman Wilson (St. Louis / WR)

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].