Nanakuli senior running back Sunshine Anuenue rushed for a career-high 158 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries to help Nanakuli to a 40-14 win at Roosevelt. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Sunshine Anuenue, Nanakuli football
A week after he was held a season-low eight rushing yards, Sunshine Anuenue bounced back in a big way Friday night.

The senior running back rushed for career-high 158 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries to help Nanakuli to a 40-14 win at Roosevelt.

"Sunshine came to play that game," Golden Hawks' coach Keala Watson said. "In the past few games we've had big games from some of our receivers and that doesn't happen with the run game opening it up first. Roosevelt was trying to cover the pass in that game, which opened up things inside for Sunshine and the run game."

Anuenue scored the game's first points on a 14-yard touchdown run and also found the end zone on a 1-yard run near the end of the first quarter. He averaged 9.3 yards per carry and also caught a 15-yard pass in the game.

"It's funny because when he first came to us, he was a hard-nosed, short-yardage type of guy who would put his head down and try to drive for extra yards, but this offseason he diversified his running ability and he's faster, shiftier and quicker now," Watson said. "He's making longer runs now. Before his longest runs were probably seven, eight yards, but he's using all of his weapons this year and that's translating to extra yards."

Through Nanakuli's first five games this season, Anuenue is averaging 6.5 yards per rush and 97.8 rushing yards per game. He ranks third in D2 with 489 rushing yards on the year.

Watson said Anuenue has stepped in nicely to help fill the void left behind with the graduation of Makaila Haina-Horswill, who led the state with 1,433 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2014.

"This offseason nobody really told (Anuenue) anything, but he knew himself that he had big shoes to fill with the departure of Makaila and that's why he took it upon himself to get faster and shiftier," Watson said. "He knew that he would get the first shot at it and he prepared himself to compete in that role as a more complete type of running back because he knew it would benefit both him and the team."

Off the field, Watson said Anuenue is well-liked by both coaches and teammates alike.

"He's kind of a shy guy," Watson said of the 5-foot-6, 170 pound back. "He doesn't say much, but when he does he always says ‘please,' always asks for permission before doing anything and just a real respectful kid. He's one of those guys that you don't find it hard to cheer for him because he's a really great kid."

Nanakuli, which is ranked second in the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Division II Power Rankings, has reeled off four straight wins since a season-opening non-league loss to Kapaa and is tied with Radford atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association D2 standings.

"That loss was a big reminder that no matter how good we think we are, we've always got to keep our focus week-in and week-out," Watson said. "I'm actually glad we're not undefeated. Our kids are learning that being undefeated very rarely comes. For years and year we've been underdogs, so being the top dog in all of that is very unfamiliar for our kids. It was a good dose of reality that there are other teams that are bigger, faster and stronger and that's where we have to find our motivation."

Anuenue and the Golden Hawks' next game will be at Pearl City on Sept. 25 after Anuenue forfeited this Friday's scheduled meeting.

Female Athlete of the Week: Heather Mar, Kalani air riflery
In just three years' time, Heather Mar has made tremendous gains while a member of the Kalani girls' air riflery team.

Mar went from never having participated in the sport prior to high school to her team's top shooter as a junior this year. She shot a score of 514.1 to lead the Falcons to a pivotal win against Moanalua Wednesday, 1,973.20 to 1,838.

The victory kept Kalani atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division standings at 5-0.

"What I like about her is her attitude that she brought in when she first joined the team," Falcons' coach Nancy Le said. "She cared more about helping the team and being a part of something bigger than herself and she continues to work to improve her shooting not just for herself, but to help her team."

Mar has steadily improved over the years, Le said. She shot a score of 530.12 in a win over Kaimuki two weeks ago.

"She's shooting really high scores and I think she could be a real contender for the OIA championship," Le said.

Mar did not compete in either the OIA or state championships in her first two seasons due to previously-scheduled family trips.

Schools submit their top eight shooters as the official roster for a meet, with some alternates allowed. The top four individual scores in each of the three shooting positions (prone, standing, kneeling) count toward the team score.

Le, who led the Kalani boys to the OIA championship last year, said Mar is a great example for the rest of her roster, which includes 12 girls and 11 boys.

"She has a great relationship with everyone," Le said. "She's very reliable and even though she's not in an official leadership position a lot of the younger shooters look up to her in certain ways. They ask her for help and tips and just being the top shooter there is a certain amount of respect she draws around the rest of the students."

Le said Mar isn't especially strong any one shooting position, but is a steady scorer.

"She's one of those well-rounded shooters," Le said. "She's not the best at any one position. There are shooters that can shoot higher scores than her, but what's incredible is she can maintain high scores in all positions."

Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Le — like most of the Falcons' shooters — doesn't get to practice outside of the high school season."

"The only time she gets is when the season starts," Le said.

Furthermore, due to budget cuts several years ago, teams no longer travel for regular-season competitions. Instead shooting at their respective home sites and sending in scores.

"I would say it's hard for the first-year students to get them to understand that it's a real competition, but Heather has been shooting for three years so she's definitely aware of that and focused when it's that time," Le said.

The only times schools will gather at a single site are for the league and state championships, Le said.

Le said Mar is unsure whether she would like to pursue air riflery on the collegiate level, but has that ability if she chooses to do so.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see her go very far in the sport," Le said.

Away from the range, Le said Mar is a model student.

"She's incredible; she keeps her grades up, I know she's an honor student," Le said. "She's all about bettering herself for her teammates, she's really easy to get along with, she wants to help people and just create a better environment around the team."

Mar and the Falcons will take on Castle Wednesday and Roosevelt Saturday. The OIA individual and team championships will be held on Oct. 10 with the state tournament on Oct. 27 at Kamehameha-Maui.

AIR RIFLERY
Matthew Pak, Moanalua — Shot a score of 529 in a win over Kalani

BOWLING
Denin Ching, Pearl City — Rolled a high game of 262 and a three-game series of 627 in an OIA West boys' meet

Chailah Ganiron, Pearl City — Rolled a high game of 203 and a three-game series of 556 in an OIA West girls' meet

CROSS COUNTRY
Lisa Tashiro, Kaiser — Won the girls' race at an OIA preseason meet at Pearl City in a time of 19 minutes, 15.48 seconds

Avery Torres, Kalaheo — Won the boys' race at an OIA preseason meet at Pearl City in a time of 16 minutes, 57.64 seconds

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Kahea Aea, Mililani — Had 10 kills and four digs in a win over Leilehua

Kayla Afoa, Kamehameha — Had nine kills, 12 digs, two blocks, one ace and an assist in a loss to Punahou

Sierra Buscher, Iolani — Had 12 kills, 11 digs and an ace in a win over Punahou

Bailey Choy, Iolani — Had 30 assists, 13 digs and a kill in a win over Punahou

Teila Kapihe, Castle — Had 14 kills and three digs in a win over McKinley

Marcee Kealoha, Pearl City — Had nine kills and six digs in a win over Campbell

Moea Kekauoha, Iolani — Had 13 kills and 10 digs in a win over Punahou

Cierra Leopoldino, Kamehameha — Had 14 digs, four assists and an ace in a loss to Punahou

Nikki Lum, Punahou — Had 11 digs and 11 assists in a win over Kamehameha

Brandee Markwith, Punahou — Had 20 digs, four assists and an ace in a win over Kamehameha

Ana Ogilvie, Iolani — Had 11 digs, 10 assists and an ace in a win over Sacred Hearts

Kiana Peroff, Punahou — Had eight kills, nine digs and an assist in a win over Kamehameha

FOOTBALL
Kesi Ah-Hoy, Kahuku — Threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another score in a win over Castle

Kamani Ah Yat, Kalaheo — Intercepted two passes in a loss to Waialua

Kawika Akahi, King Kekaulike — Rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a win over King Kekaulike

Clayce Akeo, Pac-Five — Caught eight passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Saint Francis

Keanu Alu, Kealakehe — Scored on a 23-yard fumble return in a win over Hawaii Prep

Konapiliahi Andres, Leilehua — Passed for 296 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Waipahu

Noah Auld, Kailua — Threw for 217 yards with a touchdown on 23-of-31 passing in a loss to Farrington

Anthony Palleschi, Hawaii Prep — Had 18 tackles in a loss to Kealakehe

Eamon Brady, Punahou — Caught seven passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Iolani

Justin DeForge, Kapaa — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Waimea

Mahina Ellis-Noa, Konawaena — Rushed for four touchdowns in a win over Keaau

Randy Eusebio, Roosevelt — Intercepted two passes and caught a touchdown pass in a loss to Nanakuli

Austin Ewing, Konawaena — Passed for 340 yards with two touchdowns and kicked two field goals in a win over Hilo

Challen Faamatau, Farrington — Rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries in a win over Kailua

Ace Faumui, Radford — Rushed for 124 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in a win over Radford

Nainoa Falk, Honokaa — Threw two touchdown passes and ran in another score in a loss to Waiakea

Ocean Guerpo-Beamer, Honokaa — Caught a touchdown pass and ran in another score in a loss to Waiakea

Quintin Iriarte, Radford — Threw two touchdown passes in a win over Mount Tahoma

Kekoa Kaluahine-Cacal, Kapaa — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Waimea

Nicholas Kapule, Punahou — Passed for 301 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Iolani

Algene Kelekolio, Konawaena — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Hilo and rushed for three touchdowns in a win over Keaau

Micah Laban, Konawaena — Rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries in a win over Keaau

Mark Lagazo, Kailua — Made eight tackles and recovered a fumble in a loss to Farrington

Hirkley Latu, Kahuku — Scored on a 4-yard interception return in a win over Castle

Cody Leoka Cuba, Waiakea — Caught three touchdown passes in a win over Honokaa

Kayson Mahiai, Konawaena — Caught six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown in a win over Hilo

Christian Mejia, Kailua — Had eight tackles and a sack in a loss to Farrington

Keoni-Kordell Makekau, Iolani — Caught six passes for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Punahou

Isaac Liva, Mililani — Had three sacks and forced a fumble in a win over Aiea

Solomon Loggins, Radford — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Radford

Billy Masima, Kaimuki — Rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in a win over Pearl City

Jensen McDaniel, Kaiser — Rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in a win over McKinley

McKenzie Milton — Passed for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Aiea

Kurt Napoleon, Kapaa — Threw five touchdown passes in a win over Waimea

Andrew Neves, Kaimuki — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Pearl City

Kumoku Noa, Kamehameha — Caught five passes for 177 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Saint Louis

Kodi Ongory-Mathias, Radford — Rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in a win over Mount Tahoma

Brian Pascua, Iolani — Rushed for 130 yards on 25 carries in a loss to Punahou

Keanu Pratt, Kaimuki — Threw three touchdown passes in a win over Pearl City

Elias Pritchard, Mililani — Scored on a 30-yard fumble return in a win over Aiea

Keala Santiago, Kahuku — Caught a touchdown pass and scored on a 45-yard kickoff return in a win over Castle

Rocky Savea, Kapolei — Made five tackles, including a sack, intercepted a pass and caught a touchdown pass in a win over Campbell

Jahred Silofau, Saint Louis — Rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries in a win over Kamehameha

Kekainalu Simon, Pearl City — Threw three touchdown passes in a loss to Kaimuki

Radon Sinenci, Lahainaluna — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over King Kekaulike

Isaac Slade-Matautia, Saint Louis — Made four tackles, scored on a 39-yard interception return, and blocked an extra point in a win over Kamehameha

Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis — Passed for 256 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for another score in a win over Kamehameha

Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Iolani

Kalakaua Timoteo, Mililani — Caught four passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Aiea

Kaale Tiogangco, Hilo — Threw two touchdown passes in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii

Nicolas Tom, Kaiser — Threw two touchdown passes and ran in another score in a win over McKinley

Anthony Ugalino, Leilehua — Caught two touchdown passes in a  win over Waipahu

Wesley Ulugalu-Sula, Farrington — Made 11 tackles in a win over Kailua

Thomas Yam, Kamehameha — Threw for 286 yards with a touchdown and rushed for three other scores in a loss to Saint Louis