---

Male Athlete of the Week: Kalawaia Judd, Kaiser football:
The Kaiser football team is adept at adjusting to change.

After two years with Rich Miano at the helm of the program, the Cougars turned to former offensive coordinator Cameron Higgins to take over following a Division II state championship in 2013. Amongst the slew of new faces this year is quarterback Kalawaia Judd, who has replaced the now-departed Lii Karratti.

Judd played mostly defensive end and wide receiver at Kauai last year, the same team that Kaiser defeated in the state title game, before transferring to the Hawaii Kai campus for his senior season.

"He was wearing a Kauai helmet for the first week of practice he was here, so our guys razzed him a little about that and put a bunch of Cougar stickers on there," Higgins recalled. "From day one he was joking around with the guys and pretty much everyone accepted him. Our guys aren't big-timers or anything like that. They welcomed him with open arms and I really commend the kids we have on our team because there weren't any fights or anything like that and he didn't have to prove himself to them or anything."

After projected-starter Justin Uahinui went down with a collarbone injury in a scrimmage back in early August, Judd had to quickly learn the nuances of the Kaiser offense.

"Every week he's slowly getting better and better and showing improvement in his footwork and his reads," said Higgins, a former Saint Louis and Weber State quarterback. "It's really good to see as a coach that you're really getting through to these kids sometimes."

Against Moanalua Friday, Judd threw for 204 yards with three touchdowns on 16-of-24 passing. He was intercepted once and lost a pair of fumbles, but did enough to help the Cougars win, 54-48.

"I thought he played a great game," Higgins said. "There were just a couple of instances that he got kind of greedy and tried to do things on his own, against the reads, but I understand his competitiveness and him always wanting the ball in his hands. He wants the ball and he wants to make the big play, but sometimes you've just go to know when to stay in the offense, but that will come with maturity. When he threw the interception he didn't get down. He just erased it and moved forward."

Judd flashed his versatility by hauling in a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cody Kim on a trick play for the game's first score.

"He's really a quiet guy off the field and a real humble kid, but once he's on the field he's a different person," Higgins said. "He's aggressive when he runs, he's a slasher and he has that moxie about him that you want a quarterback to have."

For the season, Judd has completed 56.8 percent (100 of 176) of his pass attempts for 1,477 yards with 14 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. He has also rushed for 417 yards and a touchdown on 82 carries. To be sure, he has benefitted from the production of running back Jensen McDaniel, who leads the state with 1,129 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.

"Everything complements each other in our offense — the run complements the pass and the pass complements the run — but to have a solid run game and a solid back like Jensen takes the pressure off Kalawaia at times and really forces the defense to play honest," Higgins said. "It can be dangerous if you become too one dimensional and the defense can just focus on one thing and it can really hurt the quarterback's confidence if there's no run game."

Higgins, who said he models the offense after the University of Oregon's warp-speed attack, said Judd's play will be pivotal in the Cougars' upcoming OIA quarterfinal game at second-ranked Mililani Saturday.

"Everybody will be looking to him, especially for this game, but he has the poise and confidence to lead the team," Higgins said. "I think we matchup really well with (Mililani) because we run similar offenses and the style is similar in pace. We have somewhat similar running backs and quarterbacks and the offensive line schemes are similar, too, so it will be interesting. I think whoever makes the least mistakes and control the time of possession will win the game."

Kickoff between Kaiser and Mililani is slated for 7 p.m. at John Kauinana Stadium.

Female Athlete of the Week: Vanessa Roybal, Mililani cross country
For Vanessa Roybal, less is more.

After pounding the pavement to the tune of a fourth-place finish at the state tournament as a sophomore last year, the Mililani harrier has been forced to take things slow this cross country season.

"It's been hard for her this season because she did so well last year," Trojans' coach Nathan Aragaki said. "I think she just got run down from trying to be at the top level. She was really tired when she first started the season, but she's been dealing with it."

Roybal, who also ran track in the Spring and finished 10th in the 3,000-meter run at the state tournament, has taken a simpler approach this year.

"I told her to go out and don't worry about where you place and just go out and do as good as you can," Aragaki said. "We're just trying to be positive and we could see that she was getting better, but it was just a matter of believing in herself also. She's been coming around, it seems like. I expected her to start off the season like she did last year by kicking everybody's butt, but it's been way harder this year. Last year it was just 'go as much as you can' — more is better — but this year, less is better sometimes."

Aragaki said Roybal has shown improvement in both practices and meets since the season began, leading to a win at Saturday's Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Championships at Campbell. Roybal completed the three-mile course in a time of 19 minutes and 51.26 seconds, which was more than 45 seconds ahead of her teammate and second-place finisher Lauren Gibbs.

"It's a flat course that goes around (Campbell's) campus and Ilima Intermediate (school) and it was kind of hot and humid that day," Aragaki said. "Vanessa did really well. She was happy with the win. I think it was a good confidence booster for her."

In addition to Roybal and Gibbs, the Trojans got a fourth-place finish from Payton Sabin and two other top-10 finishes from Brandee Schiller (8th) and Alysha Tichenor (9th). Nanea Nomura and Kiana Caranto added 12th  and 16th place, respectively.

"There's so many invitationals these days that we never really had just West schools in a race," Aragaki said. "I knew we would do well, but I know that Kaiser is tough also — they won (OIAs) last year) — but if we're firing on all cylinders we'd be right there, but the kids haven't performed how they were last year, but we could be in two weeks. We could give Kaiser a run for their money. We have it in us to win, but I'm not going to pump it into them like we should win. It's just however the chips fall."

Roybal is one of several skilled juniors statewide that could contend for the individual crown at the state championship meet.

"Every school seems to have these great juniors like Kaiser (Lisa Tashiro), Punahou (Teri Brady, Noe Obermeyer) and Iolani (Amanda Beaman)," Aragaki said. "There's a lot of talented underclassmen and it seems like there's a lot more runners this year in that mid 19-(minute) range that can go low 19. It's just so tough this year."

The Trojans may have a slight advantage with the state-tournament site basically in their backyard at Patsy T. Mink/Central Oahu Regional Park in nearby Waipio.

"We haven't gone there yet, so we're going to check it out this week and the kids will check it out again at the (OIA) JV championships, so it'll help somewhat," Aragaki said. "It's close enough where it's kind of like just going to practice, so it helps in that respect, and most of them on the team have run there before and we've practiced there a few times. I'm sure they've run there on their own, but I'm hearing they will change the course, so I'm kind of crossing my finger that it will be very similar."

Regardless of how she finishes, Aragaki said he's proud of the work ethic and maturity she's displayed this season.

"She's the nicest girl ever and she tries to help everybody out, cheers people up and she's just one who thinks about others' feelings," Aragaki said. "She's mature enough to know when she has to work hard, but she's not a totally seriously person who is no fun to talk to. For me, as a coach, it's like having the ideal athlete to work with. The physical side has been challenging for her this year, but she's always receptive to what I say and she has an open mind to trying something different that might help. She's active in school and she's also a team captain, so she kind of keeps everything together for us. She sets the example and she definitely works the hardest in practice, boys and girls included."

Roybal and the Trojans complete the season with the OIA championships on Oct. 25 and the state meet on Nov. 1.

AIR RIFLERY
Bennet Cariaga, Leilehua — Shot a high score of 528.14  to win the OIA boys' individual championship

Kristi Takaki, Pearl City — Shot a high score of 527.13 to help the Chargers in an OIA girls' semifinal win over Moanalua

Danielle Tanabe, Pearl City — Shot a high score of 540.21 to win the OIA girls' individual championship and helped the Chargers beat Kalani in the team championship match

Nicholas Ventenilla, Kalani — Shot a high score of 521.12 to help the Falcons in an OIA boys' semifinal win over Leilehua

Shane Xu, Kalani — Shot a high-score of 513.09 to help the Falcons beat Moanalua in the OIA boys' championship match

BOWLING
Anthony Brett, Kapolei — Rolled a high game of 258 and three-game series of 658 in an OIA West boys' match

Haunani Inouye, Kalani — Rolled a high game of 232 and a three-game series of 576 in an OIA East girls' match

Chelsi Morishige, Pearl City — Rolled a high game of 289 and three-game series of 703 in an OIA West girls' match

Skyler Wakumoto, Pearl City — Rolled a high game of 289 and three-game series of 700 in an OIA West boys' match

CROSS COUNTRY
Makai Clemons, Kalaheo — Won the OIA East boys' individual crown in a time of 15 minutes, 57.05 seconds

Aaron Russ, Radford — Won the OIA West boys' individual crown in a time of 16 minutes, 55.75 seconds

Lisa Tashiro, Kaiser — Won the OIA East girls' individual crown in a time of 19 minutes, 32.95 seconds and helped the Cougars win the team title

FOOTBALL
Bryson Aiwohi, Castle — Recorded four tackles and forced two fumbles in a loss to Kapolei

Sione Atuekaho, Hilo — Threw three touchdown passes and ran in another score in a win over Waiakea

Tsubasa Brennan, Pac-Five — Caught 13 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Damien

Chance Cacatian, Radford — Caught three passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Waialua

Zeno Choi, Kaiser — Recorded two sacks in a win over Moanalua

Onosai Emelio, Maui — Rushed for three touchdowns in a win over Baldwin

Ace Faumui, Kalani — Rushed for 275 yards and four touchdowns in a loss to Nanakuli

Kainalu Fejeren, Waiakea — Intercepted two passes in a loss to Waiakea

Kainoa Ferreira, Pac-Five — Passed for 343 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Damien

Tainoa Foster, Kamehameha — Had a sack and a forced fumble in a loss to Punahou

Makaila Haina-Horswill, Nanakuli — Rushed for 213 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kalani

Bryson Hughes, Kapolei — Intercepted a pass and forced a fumble in a win over Castle

Terell Johnson, Campbell — Rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Waipahu

Sheadon Kalei, Roosevelt — Rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kaimuki

Ioane Kaluhiokalani Jr., Waianae — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Aiea

Kale Kanehailua, Nanakuli — Rushed for three touchdowns and threw for 125 yards in a win over Kalani

Kobe Kato, Aiea — Passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Waianae

Kawika Keama-Jacobe, Moanalua — Passed for 515 yards with five touchdowns and rushed for 69 yards with two touchdowns in a loss to Kaiser

Algene Kelekolio, Konawaena — Rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kealake

Cody Kim, Kaiser — Threw a touchdown pass and intercepted a pass in a win over Moanalua

Kame Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Aiea — Caught four passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Waianae

Sean Kinel, Pac-Five — Caught seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Damien

Maika Koko, Waianae — Had two sacks in a win over Aiea

Colby Kruse, Castle — Recorded seven tackles and intercepted a pass in a loss to Kapolei

Dallas Labanan, Damien — Passed for 204 with two touchdowns and ran in another score in a win over Pac-Five

Jonathan Lafoy-Vance, Radford — Scored on a 99-yard kickoff return in a win over Waialua

Ronley Lakalaka, Punahou — Had a sack and scored a rushing touchdown in a win over Kamehameha

Leonard Lee, Kapolei — Passed for 216 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Castle

Shelton Lerma, Hilo — Caught two touchdown passes in a win over Waiakea

Storm Lotomau, Iolani — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Saint Francis

Samson Low, Damien — Rushed for 108 yards in a win over Pac-Five

Ferenisi Lualemana, Aiea — Had two sacks in a loss to Waianae

Ian Lundberg, Damien — Caught a touchdown passes and recorded a sack in a win over Pac-Five

Kone Maluina, Kapolei — Had seven tackles and one sack in a win over Castle

Dominic Maneafaiga, Pearl City — Caught a touchdown pass and scored a 20-yard punt return in a win over Kalaheo

Solomon Matautia, Campbell — Intercepted two passes and scored on a 75-yard punt return in a win over Waipahu

Jensen McDaniel, Kaiser — Rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Moanalua

Andrew Morgan, Radford — Passed for 335 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Waialua

Sean Noda, Kaimuki — Rushed for two touchdowns in a loss to Roosevelt

Kanawai Noa, Punahou — Caught seven passes for 83 yards with a touchdown and scored on a 48-yard punt return in a win over Kamehameha

KJ Pascua, Iolani — Rushed for two touchdowns in a win over Saint Francis

Jason Sharsh, Moanalua — Caught 13 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kaiser

Malik Smith, Kapolei — Forced a fumble and scored on a 65-yard fumble return in a win over Castle

Tristin Spikes, Hilo — Rushed for 112 yards two touchdowns in a win over Waiakea

Jordan Taamu, Pearl City — Passed for three touchdowns and ran in another score in a win over Kalaheo

Tyson Tafai, Campbell — Recorded a sack and forced a fumble in a win over Waipahu

Mika Tafua, Kamehameha — Had a sack and forced a fumble in a loss to Punahou

Wayne Taulapapa, Punahou — Rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha

Ephraim Tuliloa, Punahou — Passed for 204 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha

Jurick Valdez, Waianae — Rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Aiea

Kaulana Werner, Kamehameha — Caught nine passes for 116 yards in a loss to Punahou

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Ashelyn Lorraine Jones, Roosevelt — Had nine kills and two blocks in a win over Farrington

Natalia Kaopua, Nanakuli — Had nine kills and a block in a loss to Mililani

Dezlyn Malama-Kalaluhi, Roosevelt — Had 12 kills in a win over Farrington

Kristin Miguel, Mililani — Had 11 kills and a block in a win over Nanakuli

Emily Sunada, Iolani — Had seven kills in a win over Maryknoll

Lincoln Tappe, Aiea — Caught two touchdown passes in a loss to Waianae

Shaney Tiumalu, Castle — Had 13 kills in a win over Kaimuki

Anna Uhr, Iolani — Had seven kills and four aces in a win over Maryknoll

Jazmayne Williams, Farrington — Had eight kills and two blocks in a loss to Roosevelt