State preview draws teams to Hawaii Prep meet


A preview of the state championship meet course drew outer island teams to Saturday's Big Island Interscholastic Federation cross country meet at Hawaii Preparatory Academy.

Kamehameha's Hi'i Ellis won the girls 3-mile race in 20 minutes, 55.29 seconds and was one of four Oahu runners to finish in the top 10. Zoe Sims led a 2-3-4 finish of Hawaii Prep runners to help the defending state champion Ka Makani top the team standings with 29 points. Sims finished in 21:31.53, followed by Kristiana Van Pernis (21:44.48) and Mariah Haight (21:45.79).

Kamehameha was second with 58 points, followed by Pearl City (94) and Hawaii Baptist (114). The state meet is scheduled for Oct. 26 at Hawaii Prep and its mountainous terrain is unlike any course in the state.

Iolani's David Clarke won the boys race in 18:19.96, followed by Baldwin's James Pearson (18:30.21) and Hawaii Baptist's Brent Wakuzawa (18:30.76). Seven of the top 10 finishers were from the outer islands. Iolani led the team standings with 52 points, followed by Pearl City (75) and Hawaii Baptist (91).

Also on Saturday, the Punahou girls team won its Punahou Invitational. The Buffanblu scored 29 points in the team standings, led by an 1-2 finish from Teri Brady (19:47.14) and Mellissa Wong (20:12.08). The boys race was won by Kamehameha's Davis Kaahanui (16:24.75). Punahou's Jacques Hebert was second in 16:30.78. Dana Hills (Calif.) won the team title with a meet-low 29 points.

HPA meet results online at http://hi.milesplit.com.