Malepeai, Molina honored with Distinguished Athlete Awards


 



MANOA — The Third Annual ScoringLive Distinguished Athlete Awards, presented by the Great Aloha Run, were held at the Manoa Grand Ballroom at the Japanese Cultural Center Sunday evening.

Among the nearly 20 student-athletes honored at the event were All-Hawaii players of the year in the sports of football, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball and softball.

The top awards were presented to Mililani football player Vavae Malepeai and Konawaena girls basketball player Chanelle Molina, who were selected as the Distinguised Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively.

"It means a lot and I'm honored to receive this award," said Malepeai, a 6-foot, 200-pound running back and the reigning Division I Offensive Player of the Year. "I know there are a lot of athletes in a lot of sports out there, but for me to be selected by the ScoringLive staff, I'd just like to thank them. It just makes me hold myself to a higher standard. I need to stay humble and really try to be a role model to the younger ones coming up."

Malepeai led the state with 1,944 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns in 2015. He is the state's all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdown and is a three-time All-Hawaii First Team selection. Malepeai, who will play for the University of Southern California next season, was selected to participate in Nike's "The Opening" in Eugene, Ore. last summer and after his senior season — in which he led the Trojans to the Division I state semifinals — he took part in the prestigious Army All-American Game, where he was the game's leading rusher.

Other finalists for the award were Kamehameha distance runner Kaeo Kruse and Punahou swimmer Aukai Lileikis.

Molina, a three-time Division I Player of the Year in girls basketball, helped Konawaena to its second straight state championship in February. She averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and 7.6 assists per game, including 24 points in the state final. She is a four-time Big Island Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year and also a three-time Gatorade State Player of the Year.

Although she was unable to attend Sunday's awards dinner, Molina took some time Friday to talk about what her second straight Distinguished Female Athlete of the Year selection meant to her via telephone.

"I had no idea that all my hard work from my freshman year until now would pay off in the end," said Molina, who will play for Washington State University next season. "It's a really good feeling and just an honor."

Molina beat out Kamehameha wrestler Teshya Alo and Hawaii Prep hurdler Emma Taylor for the award.

University of Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich delivered the keynote address. Also honored Sunday were 12 All-Hawaii coaches of the year in various sports, as well as the Pizza Hut Newcomers of the Year.

A full list of honorees can be found below.


2015-2016 All-Hawaii Players of the Year


Football

Division I offense: Vavae Malepeai, Mililani

Division I defense: Keala Santiago, Kahuku

Division II offense: Ace Faumui, Radford

Division II defense: Jordan Walker, Radford



Boys Basketball

Division I: Hugh Hogland, Iolani

Division II: Ryan Hobus, University Lab



Girls Basketball

Division I: Chanelle Molina, Konawaena

Division II: Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist



Boys Soccer

Offense: Shandon Hopeau, Kapolei

Defense: Tyler Ohata, Punahou



Girls Soccer

Offense: Daelenn Tokunaga, Pearl City

Defense: Rachel Bowler, Iolani



Baseball

Division I: Kawena Alo-Kaonohi, Baldwin

Division II: Daylen Calicdan, Kamehameha-Hawaii



Softball

Division I: Danielle Cervantes, Campbell

Division II: Karley Ann Yoshioka, Pac-Five/University Lab



2015-2016 All-Hawaii Coaches of the Year



Football

Division I: Walter Young, Waianae

Division II: Brad Uemoto, Konawaena



Boys Basketball

Division I: Darren Matsuda, Punahou

Division II: Greydon Espinda, Kaimuki



Girls Basketball

Division I: Bobbie Awa, Konawaena

Division II: Weston Willard, Kamehameha-Hawaii



Boys Soccer

Geoffrey Maeda, Radford



Girls Soccer

Frank Baumholtz III, Pearl City



Baseball

Division I: Jon Viela, Baldwin

Division II: Andy Correa, Kamehameha-Hawaii



Softball

Division I: Tony Saffery, Kapolei

Division II: Cecil Hasegawa, Pac-Five

Pizza Hut Newcomer of the Year

Male: Taulia Tagovailoa, Kapolei football

Female: Sunshine Fontes, Pearl City soccer

HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union Lifematters Awards
Farrington Governors football
Mililani Trojans girls soccer





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