Pearl City boys, HBA girls lead after first day of state bowling


Defending girls' champion Shelby Suzuki of Hawaii Baptist holds an 11-pin lead over Campbell's Alexis Bardenas after the first day of the Billy Tees/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Bowling State Championships at Kauai Bowl Thursday.

Suzuki has 1,085 pins after two sessions (each session contains three games). After Bardenas, Leilehu'a Gwen Maeha (1,071), Aiea's Kiana Saito (1,054) and Mililani's Kacey Brighter (1,023) round out the top five individuals.

The four-time defending team champion, Pearl City, trails HBA by 54 pins. Mililani sits in third, Maryknoll fourth and Leilehua fifth.

The girls have a final session Friday morning.

Meanwhile, Pearl City leads the boys' team standings with a 105-pin lead over Damien after one session.

The Chargers have a trio of bowlers in the top five in Brady Nakamura (613 pins), Kristopher Yadao (610) and Ryan Kajihiro (587). They all trail McKinley's Jonathan Kanno, who has 625 points. Justin Paeste of Damien (586) is in fifth place.

McKinley, HBA and Moanalua round out the top five boys teams.

The competition resumes Friday at Kauai Bowl.