Wrestling
Terukina captures third HWOA crown; Iolani claims boys' title


 



WAHIAWA — An early-season clash of two returning state champions highlighted the second and final day of the Hawaii Wrestling Officials Association Scholarship Tournament at Leilehua's Paul T. Kobayashi Gymnasium Saturday night.

Kamehameha's Blaysen Terukina, who won the 120-pound state title as a junior last year, faced off against the 126-pound champion Shandon Ilaban Totten of Kapolei in the final of the 132-pound bracket.

Terukina jumped out to a 5-0 lead by the second period and held off a late push by Totten to win, 5-4. It was the third consecutive year that Terukina stood atop the podium at what is considered by many to be the best individual tournament outside of February's state tournament.

Despite his streak at the Officials' tourney, and the build-up as the only one of the 28 title bouts featuring two defending state champions, Terukina said he kept things in perspective.

"I just go out there and wrestle," Terukina said. "This is a nothing tournament. What matters is at the end — for states."

It didn't take long for Terukina to get on the board. He scored on a takedown just 15 seconds into the match to take an early 2-0 lead.

"I saw just that he came out aggressive, we were pounding on each others' heads and I timed it right when he tried to slap on my head I shot a single," Terukina said.

Terukina started the second period from the bottom position and got an escape and ensuing takedown within the first 20 seconds.

"You've just got to stand up and keep moving," Terukina said. "If you sit there he's going to work you, so as long as you move you're good."

However, Ilaban Totten got on the board with a reversal in the closing seconds of the period to get within 5-2.

Ilaban Totten, who started the third period from the bottom, inched closer after a second stalling call against Terukina with 18 seconds left in the match, but was unable to escape of Terukina's grasp before the final buzzer.

To Terukina's memory, it was only the second time the two had wrestled. The other time they faced off was for third place at 113 pounds in the 2014 state tournament, which Terukina won by a score of 8-6.

Terukina said he stuck to what he knows best instead of altering his strategy for Ilaban Totten.

"I always see him wrestling around, so I know how he wrestles and I know he's a tough guy, so I just did my moves and I beat him with my moves," Terukina said. "I didn't adjust to him."

The weekly struggle of making weight last year led to Terukina's jump to 132 pounds this season.

"Last year it was kind of hard, it was difficult and that's why I jumped up two weight classes," Terukina said. "It's easier (to make weight), I feel more hydrated when I wrestle and nutrition-wise I feel better, too, so I'm way more comfortable."

Terukina said he benefitted from the coaching that his older brother, Shayden, and fellow former Warrior wrestler Jacob Luning-Hoshino provided from matside in his final.

"It's real special," Blaysen Terukina said. "It feels just like practice because (Shayden) is always in my corner pushing me and nothing is different in here, especially with Jacob, too. They're both very talented wrestlers, wrestled at the highest level and it makes me feel that much more comfortable with them in my corner."

The two coaches have six individual state titles between them. Shayden Terukina won in 2008 (112 pounds), 2010 (130) and 2011 (137), while Luning-Hoshino won in 2009 (135), 2010 (135) and 2011 (142).

Meanwhile, Iolani claimed the team title behind four individual champions. Dayne Tongoe (106 pounds), Jake Nakasone (120), Brian Pascua (152) and Saiaiga Fautanu (182) each placed first, while Colby Watase (113) and Dane Yamashiro (285) added third-place finishes. Kaysen Takenaka (138 pounds) also placed fourth in his weight for the Raiders, who amassed 193 1/2 pounds.

Campbell scored 178 points to finish second, Baldwin was third with 148 points, Kapolei fourth with 132 points and Waianae fifth with 126 1/2 points.

Aside from Terukina, two other returning state champions won their weight classes Saturday. Leilehua's Liam Corbett topped Waianae's Jacob Naosusuga, 9-4, at 160 pounds and Pascua beat Baldwin's Thomas Stevenson, 7-1, at 152 pounds.



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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