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Male Athlete of the Week: Micah Kanehailua, Kamehameha-Hawaii football
Kamehameha-Hawaii quarterback Micah Kanehailua is having himself quite a season, surpassing career-highs in passing yardage in back-to-back weeks.

The third-year starter put on a firework show last Friday when he lit up the Kealakehe defense on 22-of-37 passing for 357 yards in the then sixth-ranked Warriors’ 35-21 win in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation contest.

“I think he’s matured and obviously has a greater understanding of what we want him to do,” KS-Hawaii coach Dan Lyons said on Kanehailua. “In his three years of starting for us, he’s had like five different offenses. This is his second year in this offense so he has experience. I think last year he had understanding, but this year he has more control.”

Coach Lyons attributes Kanehailua’s huge game to the pre-snap reads that the senior quarterback makes before the play begins.

“We kind of just took what we could get. We actually had a pretty good balance,” said Lyons. “A lot of that is a result of his decision making on how the defense lines up, because he does have a lot of option on whether we pass or run it. I think the pre-snap reads and how he was able to adjust to it played a big part.”

Kanehailua was also responsible for all of the Warriors’ touchdowns in the game, having thrown for a career-best five touchdowns.

“We’re trying to get the ball out quick, make those reads earlier and give our guys the ball in space where they can make a play,” said Lyons. “In that game I think everyone of our receivers caught a pass so Micah did a really good job of spreading the ball, and four of those guys caught a touchdown.

Lyons also shed some light on the type of leader that Kanehailua is.

“He’s more calm. He is very self-determined. He takes a lot of responsibility upon himself. He’s very intelligent and he understands what we want him to do. He’s quite a leader, a lead by example kind of guy. He does a really good job on encouraging guys, not getting down on anybody. He’s a hard worker and very committed.” 

Kanehailua and the Warriors return to the field Friday, when they host Waiakea.

-Michael Lasquero

Female Athlete of the Week: Amanda Beaman, Iolani
There are many variables in a cross country race, or as Iolani girls' coach Lauran Dignam put it, "it's one of those unpredictable sports."

One thing is certain this season: a new individual state champion will be crowned in a little more than five weeks. Seabury Hall's Dakota Grossman, who won four consecutive state titles, graduated in the Spring, opening the door for the Raiders' top harrier — and last year's runner-up to Grossman — Amanda Beaman.

The Iolani junior is considered amongst the top contenders for the crown. Beaman finished sixth as a freshman in 2012, when the race was held at Hawaii Prepatory Academy and improved upon that finish last year, but was still more than 35 seconds behind Grossman, a 2014 Hawaii High School Athletic Association Hall of Honor inductee.

Unlike Grossman, however — who stands nearly six feet tall — Beaman is more vertically-challenged.

"She's very petite," Dignam said. "She's a tough runner and she's definitely amazing to watch. She serves as an inspiration to all of our girls. She's a very strong hill-runner and for her size, it's pretty incredible."

Beaman utilized her climbing strength Saturday, when she coasted to first place in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu race at Kaaawa Valley. Her time of 19 minutes and 27.58 seconds was more than 14 seconds better than runner-up, Jordan Jones of Pac-Five.

"The Kaaawa race terrain is pretty difficult, but she tackles hills and for someone of her size to be able to cruise through a course like that is amazing," Dignam said of Beaman. "She probably ran the first mile with other girls close to her, but the last two miles she pretty much ran on her own."

According to Dignam, the separation came when the elevation began to change.

"The first mile is pretty much flat and then the second mile is where the hills began on the court," said Dignam, who competed in both cross country at track at Iolani before running track at the University of Washington.

Dignam, herself a 2002 Hall of Honor inductee, said Beaman has what it takes to win it all this year.

"Right now I feel like she's definitely a top contender for first place, it's just a matter of keeping her healthy and focused," Dignam said. "Fortunately, she's very focused. You can tell that this is what she wants and that winning is her ultimate goal and that makes it really each to coach her, because she has these big goals that she's willing to work for."

It's a goal that Beaman has kept her eyes on throughout the offseason, including summer break.

"It takes personal commitment from the athlete, because there are only certain time periods when we can actually hold practices over the summer due to ILH rules, but Amanda is so commitment to the sport and her success that she trains even on her own," Dignam said. "If you come into the season without that strong base, there's not enough time — because the cross country season is not very long — to reach that point where you can focus on speed and endurance. Amanda came into the season strong and that's why she is where she is now. Her commitment to training on her own is definitely going to show in her successes."

Dignam is also looking to become to take on a leadership role.

"She's actually blossomed, if you will, and she's now one of our team captains," Dignam said. "She was more a quiet leader in previous years, but she's become a little bit more vocal about leading the girls in workouts and encouraging them, so that's been a huge change. She's been an amazing captain so far this year and I think it really, really helps the other girls."

Beaman's next race is the Iolani Invitational at Kualoa Ranch Saturday. More than 30 schools, including seven from the mainland, will compete in the annual race. The Honolulu Marathon/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships will be held on Nov. 1 at Central Oahu Regional Park.

-Kalani Takase

BOWLING
Keenan Kihara, Pearl City — Rolled a three-game high of 746 in an OIA West match Thursday

Chelsi Morishige, Pearl City — Rolled a high game of 258 and a three-game series of 696 in an OIA West match Thursday

CROSS COUNTRY
Lauren Gibbs, Mililani — Won an OIA girls' preseason race at Mililani Saturday in a time of 20 minutes, 44.8 seconds

Kaeo Kruse, Kamehameha — Won an ILH boys' race at Kaaawa Valley Saturday in a time of 16 minutes, 22.30 seconds

Kellen Tasaka, Roosevelt — Won an OIA boys' preseason race at Mililani Saturday in a time of 16 minutes, 56.5 seconds

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Sydney Hao, Kailua — Had 13 digs in a win over McKinley Monday and 21 digs in a win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Lien Howard, Pearl City — Had five kills and five blocks in a win over Mililani Thursday

Natalia Kaopua, Nanakuli — Had nine kills and one block in a win over Leilehua Thursday

Jasmyn Keohohina-Malina, Kailua — Had eight kills in a win over McKinley Monday

Kristen Miguel, Mililani — Had nine kills in a win over Kapolei Tuesday

FOOTBALL
Rudy Agoot, Kapaa — Threw a pair of touchdown passes and rushed for 92 yards and another score in a win over Kauai Friday

Kesi Ah Hoy, Kahuku — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Castle Friday

Jonovan-Taje Akaka Foster, Baldwin — Rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another in a win over King Kekaulike Friday

Jayce Bantolina, Campbell — Caught nine passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kapolei Friday

Jordan Bayudan, Kamehameha — Rushed for three touchdowns in a win over Damien Thursday

Chance Cacatian, Radford — Rushed 18 times for 156 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kalani Friday

Kawika Cavanh, Kalaheo — Rushed for 110 yards on 12 carries in a win over Anuenue Saturday

Pono Davis, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had three sacks in a win over Kealakehe Friday

Shain Davis, Kapaa — Caught a pair of touchdown passes in a win over Kauai Friday

Ryan Delatori, Lahainaluna — Scored on a 50-yard interception return in a win over Maui Saturday

Kelii Efhan, Kauai — Had a game-high nine tackles, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble in a loss to Kapaa Friday

Koa Ellis, Hawaii Prep — Threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-26 passing and rushed for another score in a win over Keaau Saturday

Mosese Fifita, Kapaa — Had six tackles, one sack and forced a fumble in a win over Kauai Friday

Tainoa Foster, Kamehameha — Had a team-high five tackles and forced a fumble in a win over Damien Thursday

Dylan Frank, Radford — Caught nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kalani Friday

Alohi Gilman, Kahuku — Scored on an 82-yard kickoff return in a win over Castle Friday

Makaila Haina-Horswill, Nanakuli — Rushed for 138 yards on 16 carries in a win over Kaimuki Saturday

Bryson Hughes, Kapolei — Had seven tackles and an interception in a loss to Campbell Friday

Alapaki Iaea, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kealakehe Friday

Tristan Ilae, Castle — Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a loss to Kahuku Friday

Kalawaia Judd, Kaiser — Threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns on 18-of-28 passing in a win over McKinley Friday

Caleb Kagawa, Hawaii Prep — Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a win over Keaau Saturday

Mana Kahooilihala, Roosevelt — Threw a pair of touchdown passes in a loss to Waialua Friday

Kale Kanehailua, Nanakuli — Threw for 203 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-28 passing in a win over Kaimuki Saturday

Semisi Kauvaka, Kahuku — Scored on a 55-yard interception return in a win over Castle Friday

Tyreek Keough, Leilehua — Caught four passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Waipahu Friday

Micah Kerisiano, McKinley — Caught a touchdown pass on offense and intercepted a pass on defense in a loss to Kaiser Friday

Nayton Koki, Kalani — Had a pair of sacks in a loss to Radford Friday

Ocean Ku-Au, Kaiser — Had a pair of sacks in a win over McKinley Friday

Riggs Kurashige, Kealakehe — Caught six passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii Friday

Seyddrick Lakalaka, Punahou — Scored on a 25-yard interception return and had a sack in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Noah LaMadrid, Kapaa — Made field goals from 36 and 25 yards and was 3 for 3 on PATs in a win over Kauai Friday

Kaliu Lapera, Kalaheo — Scored two rushing touchdowns in a win over Anuenue Saturday

Montana Liana, Farrington — Completed 15 of 22 pass attempts for 213 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kailua Friday

Tevita Lino, Kaimuki — Threw a pair of touchdown passes in a loss to Nanakuli Saturday

Storm Lotomau, Iolani — Scored two rushing touchdowns in a loss to Saint Louis Saturday

Seufagafaga Luafatasaga, Farrington — Scored on a 64-yard fumble return in a win over Kailua Friday

Lauriano Lucas, Leilehua — Caught three passes for 148 yards with two touchdowns in a win over Waipahu Friday

Justin Lugo, Radford — Caught 10 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kalani Friday

Wyatt Maa, Iolani — Made a game-high 10 tackles in a loss to Saint Louis Saturday

Michael Mahuka, Kamehameha — Made two tackles, including a sack, a recovered a fumble in a win over Damien Thursday

Vavae Malepeai, Mililani — Scored two rushing touchdowns in a win over Aiea Friday

Randy Manewa, Nanakuli — Made a game-high 13 tackles in a win over Kaimuki Saturday

Jensen McDaniel, Kaiser — Scored five rushing touchdowns in a win over McKinley Friday

McKenzie Milton, Mililani — Threw for 282 yards with three touchdowns and rushed for 89 yards and two other scores in a win over Aiea Friday

Saitui Moeai, Punahou — Scored on a 27-yard interception return in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Austin Molina, Leilehua — Scored on a 45-yard interception return in a win over Waipahu Friday

Andrew Morgan, Radford — Threw a pair of touchdown passes and rushed for another in a win over Kalani Friday

Nicky Palleschi, Hawaii Prep — Caught six passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in a win over Keaau Saturday

Dominic Pantastico, Campbell — Made a game-high nine tackles in a win over Kapolei Friday

Isaiah Paulo, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had two sacks in a win over Kealakehe Friday

Kalanimoku Pauole, Leilehua — Threw for 320 yards and five touchdowns on 14-of-18 passing in a win over Waipahu Friday

Justin Perry, Hawaii Prep — Caught a touchdown pass on offense and intercepted a pair of passes on defense in a win over Keaau Saturday

Kanai Picanco, Damien — Had a game-high eight tackles and forced a fumble in a loss to Kamehameha Thursday

Kaikiohua Piena, Castle — Recorded a sack and forced a fumble in a loss to Kahuku Friday

Bronson Ramos, Mililani — Scored on a 57-yard punt return in a win over Aiea Friday

Kona Reiny-Aloy, Campbell — Made the game-winning PAT from 35 yards out and was 2 for 2 on extra points in a win over Kapolei Friday

Kimo Romena, Anuenue — Threw a pair of touchdown passes and rushed for 133 yards in a loss to Kalaheo Saturday

Kekoa Sasaoka, Farrington — Made a 41-yard field goal and was 5 for 5 on PATs in a win over Kailua Friday

Cash Searle, Saint Louis — Caught a pair of touchdown passes in a win over Iolani Saturday

Jahres Silofau, Saint Louis — Had 101 rushing yards and a touchdown in a win over Iolani Saturday

Paepaeiva Silifaiva-Kaeha, Kailua — Rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Farrington Friday

Nixon Siona, Kaimuki — Caught a pair of touchdown passes in a loss to Nanakuli Saturday

Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis — Completed 15 of 16 pass attempts for 352 yards with five touchdowns in a win over Iolani Saturday

Royce Tashiro, Waialua — Threw a pair of touchdown passes in a win over Roosevelt Friday

Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou — Scored three rushing touchdowns in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Shayne Teruya, Roosevelt — Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in a loss to Waialua Friday

John Toner, Punahou — Made a 34-yard field goal and was 7 for 7 on PATs in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Salanoa-Alo Wily, Kahuku — Rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown, made a team-high five tackles with one sack and recovered a fumble in a win over Castle Friday