Kalani Takase | SL

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As dominant as Kaeo Kruse was in cross country meets this Fall, he never had to look far for extra motivation.

The Kamehameha senior won his second straight individual title at last weekend's Honolulu Marathon/Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Championships in Olinda, Maui. Kruse ran away with the three-mile race that was held for the first time on the campus of Seabury Hall, in a state meet-record time of 15 minutes, 22.23 seconds.

Kruse broke the previous mark of 15:22.4 set by former Kapalama harrier Jeremy Kamakaala at Kauai Community College in 2005. Kamakaala now serves as an assistant on the Warriors' coaching staff.

"Because (Kamakaala) is one of our volunteer coaches, I've known about that record for a while, but I wasn't really planning on (getting) that record. I just wanted to get the win for the team and it was a nice little bonus that I was able to beat it," Kruse said. "I'm really happy that I did it on that course because Jeremy did not a flat course on Kauai and Seabury was kind of hilly so I can kind of hold that over his head."

The course ended up being no match for Kruse, who had no previous race experience on it.

"We were given a map of the course two weeks out, but maps aren't really a good representation of terrain, so I didn't know what I was getting into until the day before," Kruse said. "It was a fun little course, but the start was kind of narrow so you have to get out fast and with the dew on the grass — because the race was in the morning — and I heard some people were slipping."

It's just the latest in a long line of accolades for Kruse. He was named Runner of the Year by the Interscholastic of Honolulu and Gatorade State Player of the Year following his junior season and finished 33rd at the Foot Locker South Regional Championships.

Despite the many medals and honors, Kruse remains grounded in his Kalaheo, Kauai roots.

"I just feel like I have a lot of great support from my teammates and I love my coaches and everyone back home on Kauai," said Kruse, who has been boarding since the seventh grade. "Everyone has been so supportive of me. Without them I wouldn't be successful. That's how I work everyday with the boys and I just have confidence in that."

Kruse, who also holds the track and field state-meet record in the 3,000-meter run, will participate in the NXN Northwest Regionals in Boise, Idaho on Nov. 14. If he does well enough there, he will qualify for the nationals in Portland, Ore. on Dec. 5.

It was the eighth individual title won by a Kamehameha runner. Kruse joined Kamakaala and Kaahanui as two-time winners from Kapalama.

"It really means a lot to me to even be mentioned in the same sentence as some of these guys and it's really an honor to be part of this program here," Kruse said. "Coach (Steve) Jenness is great and he knows how to get things done and just to be part of the legacy is humbling."

Kruse, who stands 6-feet tall and weights 150 pounds, has a cumulative grade point average of 3.88 and recently gave a verbal commitment to join the team at Harvard next year.

"I had a lot of great offers from other schools, but just the opportunity and education there is beyond comparison," Kruse said. "I couldn't do any of this without the support of my team. I really want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my cross country career."

It probably won't be the last we hear of Kruse.