December 1, 2008 - Thoughts from Anonymous - Cross-Country

From Anonymous:

After coming back from the state meet I had many mixed feelings about the meet and high school cross country in hawaii in general. And it had to do with some of the players. The one incident that really got my attention was Seabury Hall coming in second after losing their number 2 and 5 runners.

Over the last three years or since hawaii moved from the two miles to the three miles some factors have become evident. Schools with large enrollment do have a distinct advantage over schools with small enrollments. That is a no brainer.

I just watched the California state meet from Fresno Woodward park.

California has 5 divisions based on school enrollment. For example if

Seabury Hall was in California they would be in division 5 with under

500 students, they have only around 300. Punahou would be in Division 2 or 3 with a much higher enrollment. If Hawaii had divisions 1 and 2 high school cross country, Seabury Hall would have just celebrated it's second girls cross country state championship.

I believe it is time to split into two divisions so as the smaller

schools can compete against schools in their enrollment division. I

believe Hawaii is the only state still without divisions in cross

country. My suggestions would be to hold four races on the same

course the same day so you can compare times. California runs ten

races starting early in the morning. Just like changing from two

miles to three miles it is time to split it up into two divisions. In

the long run it will encourage the kids and help the sport grow. See

you next season.

The Road to HPA - Girls XC - 10/21/08 - by Anonymous

"I run to see who has the most guts" Steve Prefontaine

It all started some time in July. And now hundreds of miles later and a lot of sweat and a few tears we have arrived at the end of the season. And what a season it has been with the fastest of times ever recorded in the state since moving from two miles to three! It will all end on October 31st at HPA. Each week I have been ranking the 1-10 top girls and the 1-5 top teams. This week I'm going to give you my personal picks on who I think will come in the top 10, or as I would like to say the "Super Top Ten". Here we go.

1. Bailey Massenburg

Why: She is a senior, there is no tomorrow. She also is the reining state 800,1500 champ and 2nd in the 3000. The course is suited for her. She has the advantage of already raced on this course. Massenburg will use well timed surges to win this race.

2. Sara Clapp

Why: It will be tough to beat Massenburg on this course. She has not run on anything this hilly all season. Sara has great endurance but is she fast enough?. She will need to take it out fast and try to burn Massenburg off in order to have a chance and then be able to withstand the surges.

3. Hailey Grossman

Why: She races against Bailey Massenburg all the time. Is also the 2006 state 3000 champ. That would make anyone good. Grossman has been very consistent all season. Her latest outing at the Punahou invite resulted ina tied course record. If the above two falter, look for Grossman to win.

4. Tia Greenwell

Why: This is almost like her home course. She has probably trained on it every weekend all season long. Wouldn't you?. She also possesses the fastest time of the season, 18:18, but has never faced a group like this. Greenwell might try to run away from this group like she tried to do last year. It will be hard.

5. Kristin Ali Keith

Why: She is probably glad I put her at # 5. The last guy who did that probably inspired her to go on and win the state title. This year is no way like last year but she could dial it up and finish much higher or even win again.

6. Jenna Wong

Why: Jenna is coming off a disappointing 2007 cross country season where she ran well all season only to be injured right before States. This one is about redemption. Has run consistently well all season. She also has the ability to finish much higher.

7. Julie Besenbruch

Why: Julie has got to be called the "come back runner of the year." Has run mostly flat courses and has done very well. HPA is far from flat. She will need to dial it way up to be in the top ten.

8. Haley Abing

Why: She is also a senior. Always runs tough. Is very good at big meets. I believe she could run higher than 8th. It all depends on how fast the field goes out. I predict the first mile will be under a 6 minute pace.

9. Athena Oldfather

Why: I'm taking a chance here. She is Tia Greenwell's teammate. Also trains on HPA every-weekend.

10. Nicole Painter

Why: Has run great times all season. She is also Kristin Ali-Keith's teammate. She will have her hands full with this group. Again it comes down to how well she runs the hills.

I would like to take this time to thank all the runners, coaches and parents for a great season. I will see you all at HPA.

Yours truly, Anonymous

The Road To HPA - 10/19/08 by ANONYMOUS

A lot of people run to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more.

Steve Prefontaine

We are only two weeks away now from one of the most exciting girls cross country races in the history of the state of Hawaii. This week I'm going to talk about the HPA course itself. The first 1200 meters is relatively flat. Then you hit the hill. Gradual at first but then steep at the end. How steep? Very steep. It is right about now you will notice something else, the DUST. If you are at the front it will not be a problem, but in the back it will.

The second mile is not as bad as you traverse across the hill and then hit the downhill. For those of you who run the down hill well this will be a time to pass and make up ground as you prepare to start the final 3rd mile.

Here is the last bit of info on the HPA course. It sits at 3000 ft elevation. This will favor some runners who train all the time at this elevation. At 3000 ft there is only 18% Oxygen oncentration. Some runners it will not effect but others it will. Now you are heading up the hill the last time and across the hill again. It is almost over. As you head down the hill the last time you are heading toward the finish. Next week I'm going to give you my personal picks and why on what I call the "Super top ten".

Boys XC Ranking - 10/13/08 - by OBSERVER

Bryce is back! The defending state champion, Bryce Jenkins of Leilehua, ran 16:34 at the OIA Western Championships on Saturday. This puts him back in the hunt at HPA where it's unlikely he'll be walking the course on Halloween. At Punahou, Matthew Nakamoto, HBA, continued his domination of the ILH while the Kamehameha boys were outstanding as their first five ran between 17:46 and 17:56. On the Big Island Jake Shiraki, Honokaa, ran 16:27 and the Iolani boys team validated their number 1 ranking with a close victory over Hilo, HPA and Honokaa. Iolani's first 4 were 17:03 to 17:42. Hilo, HPA and Honokaa were not far behind and should be a factor at HPA. King Kekaulike's Reid Hunter has not raced for a couple weeks but he was seen training hard on the hills near Makawao on Maui. Here are the individual rankings and team rankings: 1. Iolani; 2. Kamehameha-Oahu; 3. Hilo; 4. HPA; 5. Leilehua; 6. Honokaa 1. Reid Hunter, King Kekaulike; 2. Jake Shiraki, Honokaa;  3. Matthew Nakamoto, HBA; 4. Bryce Jenkins, Leilehua; 5. Mark Turner, Hilo; 6. Margarito Martinez, Leilehua; 7. Tyler Mulloy, Iolani; 8. Chris Mosch, Honokaa; 9. Borys Pleskacz, Iolani; 10. Miura Tomoyuki, Roosevelt

The Road To HPA - 10/11/08

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."

Steve Prefontaine

With the Punahou invitational and the O.I.A. Western and Eastern championships in the record books and league championships only weeks away, it is time to look at each of the top 5 teams and their personnel heading toward
the state meet.

#1 Mililani: 6th at state meet last year.

The most improved team from last year. Led by Kristin Ali Keith, last year's state champ, and Nicole Painter. Pros: Kristin now has a supporting cast to back her up. Cons: Mililani is hard to beat on a flat course, but it will be interesting to see how they run on the very hilly HPA course.

#2 Kamehameha: 4th at last year's state meet

Lost to Mililani by one point at the Kaiser invite. Are led by Ashlee Jimenez and Noelani Mikami. Pros: They run in a tight pack, so far that has worked. Cons: Last year they started off the same way but in the end had trouble with injuries. Will they be able to hold it together till the end.

#3 Seabury Hall: 2nd at last years state meet.

I call this team the little giant. Why? Little because of their high school size, only 300 students. Giant, they have the most talented group of female runners in the state for the size of their school. Led by Hailey Grossman, 5th at states last year, and a much improved Lea Lundblad. Pros: They have the ability to dial it up at the state meet. Cons: Their 3,4 and 5 are question marks.

#4 Punahou: 1st at last year's state meet. Their coach, Duncan Macdonald, was an Olympic runner and broke Steve Prefontaine's 5k record, need I say more. Led by Julia Brand, a hurdler turned distance runner. Pros: Their coach. Cons: Lost their 1,2 and 5 from last year but have depth. Could surprise at sate meet.

#5 Pac-5

Even though they will not be running at states I'm giving Pac-5 the nod as the 5th best team in the state. They are led by Julie Besenbruch of Maryknoll.

Individual Rankings for this week for this week.

1. Bailey Massenburg

2. Sarah Clapp Kaiser
3. Hailey Grossman Seabury Hall
4. Jenna Wong Iolani
5. Tialana Greenwell Honokaa
6. Julie Besenbruch Pac-5

7. Haley Abing Pac-5

8. Nicole Painter Mililani
9. Kristin Ali Keith Mililani
10. Ashlee Jimenez Kamehameha

The Road To HPA by Anonymous

" What I want is to be number one"

Steve Prefontaine.

There has never been a year in Hawaii history where so many girls have recorded so many fast times as this year. The latest being Honoka'a Tialana Greenwell posting an 18:18 at Waiakea. It has been many years since Tia Ferguson of Seabury Hall or Lauren Ho of HBA posted times this fast. And not just one, there are around 10. With the next ten being not so far back. It will be a major achievement for any girl to break into the top ten at this year's state meet.

In the team Rankings, we still have Mililani firmly in the #1 position but with 4 teams all able to challenge. Again it will come down to who wants it more on October 31st. Here are this weeks' team rankings.

1.Mililani

2.Kamehameha

3.Punahou

4.Seabury Hall

5.Iolani

Individual Rankings for this week.

1. Bailey Massenburg
2 Sarah Clapp Kaiser

3. Tialana Greenwell Honokaa

4. Julie Besenbruch Pac-5

5. Haley Abing Pac-5

6. Jenna Wong Iolani

7. Kristin Ali-Keith Mililani

8. Hailey Grossman Seabury Hall

9. Ashlee Jimenez Kamehameha

10. Julia Brand Punahou

Latest Boys XC Rankings from "observer"

Here are "one observer's" latest boys cross country rankings based on the Sept. 27 meets on the Big Island, Oahu and Molokai:

Individuals:

1. Reid Hunter, King Kekaulike; 2. Mark Turner, Hilo; 3. Matthew Nakamoto, HBA; 4. Jake Shiraki, Honokaa; 5. Scott Hunter, Hilo; 6. Shannon Cosey, Leilehua; 7. Eric Pak, Castle; 8. Margarito Martinez, Leilehua; 9. Borys Pleskacz, Iolani; 10. Jordan Lerma, Kamehameha HI.   

Team Rankings:

1. Iolani; 2. Kamehameha Oahu; 3. Hilo; 4. Honokaa; 5. Maui High; 6. Leilehua

The Road to HPA - by Anonymous

"Somebody may beat me, but they are going to bleed to do it". - Steve Prefontaine

That is maybe what it will take to either win the individual or team championship at this year's Hawaii State Cross Country Championship with yet another #1 being beaten at the Kaiser Invitational at the CORP course.

Mililani High defeated Kamehameha by a mere 1 point, 54 to 55. On the individual front it will come down to who wants it the most and who can run the HPA course the best. At the moment it looks like either Kaiser's Sara Clapp or King Kekaulike's Bailey Massenburg. Both ran on hilly courses this past weekend. Massenburg recorded a 19:09 at the Ironwood hills golf course on Molokai. Clapp ran a 19:19 at CORP. This week the nod goes to Massenburg.

This week's team Ranking (Pac-5 will not run at the state meet as a team.)

1. Mililani
2. Kamehameha
3. Punahou
   
4. Seabury Hall
5. 'Iolani
   

Individual Rankings for this week.

1. Bailey Massenburg

2. Sarah Clapp Kaiser

3. Julie Besenbruch Pac-5

4. Haley Abing Pac-5

5. Jenna Wong Iolani

6. Kristin Ali Keith Mililani

7. Hailey Grossman Seabury Hall

8. Ashlee Jimenez Kamehameha

9. Julia Brand Punahou

10. Noelani Mikami Kamehameha

Boys XC Analysis

As with the girls, please understand that this is not my opinion, but an interested contributor.

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Aloha Coach Al, Here's "one observer's" opinion of the boys for your blog: Once again the girls seem to be receiving all the attention this cross-country season, therefore, here's one observer's opinion of how the boys are shaping up.

Individually, Maui's Reid Hunter of King Kekaulike HS appears to be the dominant male runner after convincing victories at Kapalua and HPA. Hilo's Mark Turner and Hawaii Baptist's Matthew Nakamoto followed Hunter at HPA. Defending champion, Bryce Jenkins of Leilehua is recovering from injury and walked the HPA course. Iolani's Borys Pleskacz ran well the Iolani Invitational as did several other Oahu runners.

Heres my top 10 boys but another 10-15 could easily be here next week. 1. Reid Hunter, King Kekaulike; 2. Mark Turner, Hilo; 3. Matthew Nakamoto, HBA; 4. Borys Pleskacz, Iolani; 5. Margarito Martinez, Leilehua; 6. Tyler Mulloy, Iolani; 7. Jake Shiraki, Honokaa; 8. Scott Hunter, Hilo; 9. Shannan Casey, Leilehua; 10. Alvin Ringor, Molokai.

Team-wise, Iolani looked very good at their invitational and so did Kamehameha. Honokaa ran well at HPA after losing to Hilo earlier in the month. Leilehua is a mystery but has the potential to repeat. On Maui, the Maui High boys have been a surprise dominating the MIL this season. Heres my ranking: 1. Iolani; 2. Kamehameha Oahu; 3. Honokaa; 4. Leilehua; 5. Maui High

Girls XC - New Poster

Hi all,

We welcome a new analysis from someone who'd like to be known as "The Coach." Again, this is not me!

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Rankings are tough given the course differences and having meets on outer islands. I.E. this past week many of the top teams and runners were at either the Iolani or HPA meets which had vastly different course conditions. With that said I can't argue with these rankings, but I do think the HPA course will make handicapping the State meet extremely difficult. I also believe that the teams that ran on the HPA course will have an advantage.

I think the team title will be exciting and is up for grabs. As always, but even more so this year given the course difficulty at HPA, it will come down to which team can get its runners to run as "normal" as possible. In other words, teams with runners that have "off" days are going to suffer and that could happen easily at HPA.

Kamehameha (Oahu) certainly looks impressive after the last two weeks. And they are doing it with four new runners in their top six! A gap time of just 1:22 at the HPA Invitational is quite impressive. Seabury Hall had a gap time of 2:09 while Mililani had a gap time of 1:56 at the Iolani Invitational. If either of those teams can close their gaps they will makes it closer with Kamehameha.

Punahou lost some key runners to graduation last year, but always seem to re-load. Their JV squad looked impressive at the Iolani meet and could provide even greater depth by the end of the season.

One key area to look for is missing runners. Were all of the teams running at full strength this past weekend? I heard Iolani has the injury bug right now, and if they recover in time, then they will be in the mix especially given they have a frontrunner (Wong), and, supposedly, a mainland transfer who is faster than their frontrunner.

And don't forget Seabury Hall's Tracy-Vinsintainer who finished just 6th on the team this last week but was 16th at the State meet last year. If she returns to form they may be the favorite going in.

In all, there appears to be no clear cut favorite and it should be an exciting team battle.

Individually, Clapp had a big race at the Iolani meet, but don't forget that that course was flat. As a relative newcomer to the running scene does she have enough experience for the grueling HPA course? I'll be watching her closely at her own Kaiser Invitational this week to see how she handles the hills, although the course is still not nearly as tough as HPA. It's tough to compare her run to Massenburg's at HPA. I don't think we will get to see the Oahu girls race the outer island girls until States unless they come over for the Kaiser meet. The individual battle looks to be a heated one as well.

The Road To HPA

A note from Coach Al - Just reminding you that the following is NOT my opinion so please throw your daggers somewhere else.:)

FROM ANONYMOUS (Sept 21, 2008)

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" - Steve Prefontaine

Iolani Invitational

Sophomore Kristin Parry of Dana Hills won the girls varsity cross country race yesterday morning. Parry led the girls over the 3-mile course in 17:59.81. More than 1,000 runners competed in six races that featured intermediate and high school teams from Hawai'i and California. The event is now in its 10th year.

Parry pulled away from Meghan Marvin of Clovis (Calif.) with about a half-mile remaining on the flat, grassy and hot course that crossed through several fields at Wheeler. Parry and Marvin led through two miles, followed closely by three Dana Hills runners and Clovis' Saylah Barserian. Following in the second group was Kaiser's Sarah Clapp and 'Iolani's Jenna Wong. Clapp was the first Hawaii runner to finish in 7th place with a time of 18:47 followed by Jenna Wong in 18:56.

HPA invitational

King Kekaulike's Bailey Massenburg won yesterday's Hawai'i Prep Invitational on the Big Island. Massenburg won the girls 3-mile race with a time of 20:37, 18 seconds ahead of Seabury Hall's Hailey Grossman in 20:55. Kamehameha placed five girls in the top 11 to win with 32 points to 48 for Seabury Hall. This is the second time in a week the Kemehameha has beaten a #1 in the same week.

Based on Information and results from this week here is the team ranking for this week. And remember as we get more information and results this list will change.

1. Kamehameha Kapalama
2. Mililani
3. Punahou
4. Seabury Hall
5. Iolani

Girls individual Ranking for this week based on times and results.

1. Sara Clapp 11 Kaiser

2. Bailey Massenburg 12 King Kekaulike

3. Jenna Wong Iolani

4. Hailey Grossman Seabury Hall

5. Hailey Abing 12 Pac 5

6. Julie Besenbruch 12 Pac 5

7. Kristen Ali Keith Mililani

8. Chaylena Guinto Pac 5

9. Ashlee Jimenez Kamehameha Kapalama

10. Savannah Lowrie Leilehua

Who knows?

Hi all,

Last Thursday in the 'Iolani vs Punahou intermediate football game, 'Iolani had a female quarterback, Saphyre Rezentes, for a few series. She did pretty well too! My question, have there been any other female QB's in Intermediate or Varsity football in the ILH? In the OIA? Outer islands? In the state?

If you know of any or know the answer, please email me at coachalphotos@gmail.com

Thanks, Al

The Road to HPA

THE ROAD TO HPA

" Cross Country is like poker, you always have to be holding five good cards all the time"

ILH

#1 goes down!

Keaau, Hawaii. At the Kamehameha Invitational #1 ranked Iolani school girls cross country team ran into a buzz saw. Iolani was soundly defeated by Kamehameha Schools of Kapalama 32 to 59. Kamehameha Kapalama sent the message to the rest of the state they are for real. Winning the race was Honokaa High's Tia Greenwell in 20:21 followed by Iolani's Jenna Wong in 20:58.

OIA Mililani continues to win

Aiea. It seems Mililani girl’s cross-country team is letting someone different from their team win each week or they are just showing their depth. Well, OK, so this week it’s Gabby Jerkins at the Preseason meet at Aiea. Her time of 20:59 beats Dayna Domingo of Pearl City who took second in 21:26. Mililani wins by a landslide.

MIL Seabury Hall Idle

PUKALANI – With Seabury Hall idle and most likely training through, Maui High School girls cross country team took first place at the Maui Interscholastic League's meet.

King Kekaulike's Bailey Massenburg won the girls race with a time of 20 minutes, 21 seconds.

Based on Information and results from this week here are the team ranking for this week. And remember as we get more information and results this list will change. Just a note. If you're ranked #1 and you lose, you drop down until you can work your way back up.

At this week's Iolani Invitational at Wheeler army base all ILH and OIA teams and Mainland and Neighbor schools. Also the HPA invitational will host all BIIF and some Neighbor island schools on the state championship course. Here are this week's Team rankings.

1. Seabury Hall
2. Mililani
3. Punahou
4. Kamehameha Kapalama
5. Iolani

Girls individual Ranking for this week.

1. Sara Clapp 11 Kaiser

2. Hailey Grossman 11 Seabury Hall

3. Kristin Ali Keith 11 Mililani

4. Hailey Abing 12 Pac 5

5. Bailey Massenburg 12 King Kekaulike

6. Julie Besenbruch 12 Pac 5

7. Tia Greenwell

8. Gabby Jenkins Mililani

9. Jena Wong Iolani

10. Dayna Domingo of Pearl City

Anonymous promises new rankings by Monday!

Anonymous has had a busy weekend but you can expect to see new rankings sometime on Monday.

Some football pics for you!

What a week in girls cross-country!

New rankings from Anonymous!

Please remember, this is just for fun and to create interest. Anonymous is NOT COACH AL!

In the OIA, whose #1 now?

Kristin Ali Keith showed who’s #1 in Hawaii by defeating Sara Clapp, our former #1 in the girls ranking at the Campbell Invitational. Keith's time of 19:17 was good for 2^nd place to winner Alex Dunne from San Clemente, California who won in 17:38!! Wow!

In the MIL, Seabury Hall rolls at Lahainaluna Invitational

Grossman and Lundblad go 1 and 2

Kapalua - Seabury Hall junior Hailey Grossman won her second race in a row on the hilly Kapalua golf course, the site of last year's state meet. Her time of 19:58:9 was the fastest time of the day, followed closely by teammate Lea Lundblad in 20:03. The Seabury Hall girls cross country team put all five of their top runners in the top ten and won their 3^rd meet in a row.

In the ILH, Welcome back Julie!

“In the varsity girls division at Waipio, Julie Besenbruch won in a time of 19:32. Julie ran smoothly and looked very strong after her time off last year. She's definitely back and should be put into the top 10 somewhere.” The above a quote from Al Linsky.

The Ranking will change as we receive more results and times. So here is your top ten ranking for this week.

1. Kristin Ali Keith 11 Mililani

2. Sara Clapp 11 Kaiser

3. Hailey Grossman 11 Seabury Hall

4. Julie Besenbruch 12 Pac 5

5. Savannah Lowrie 12 Leilehua

6. Bailey Massenburg 12 King Kekaulike

7. Haley Abing 12 Pac 5

8. Jenna Wong 11 Iolani

9. Maile Scarpino 12 Iolani

10. Lea Lundblad 10 Seabury Hall

Based on Information and results from this week here is the team ranking for this week. And remember as we get more information and results, this list will change.

1. Iolani

2. Seabury Hall

3. Punahou

4. Mililani

5. Leilehua

New Girls XC Prediction

Hi Girls XC Fans,

Well, our anonymous poster is back again after seeing the results from the meets held this last Saturday and doing some sleuthing. Of course, he remains anonymous and leaves me to take the HEAT!

I repeat, this is not my prediction. I disagree with a lot of what's in there, especially the top 10, but I will continue to keep my opinion to myself. I do believe that there is more talent in girls XC this year than ever before with 20-30 girls capable of running very good times and that would have been considered top 10 shoo-ins in the last few years. A top 20 would probably be better to have so that more of the top runners are included. Anyway, it should be a very exciting season!

Coach Al

Here is the new prediction from Anonymous!

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Old names and new faces ring in 2008 XC season!

She is back! Seabury Hall junior Hailey Grossman made clear that no matter what happens in any other Maui Interscholastic League race, the Spartans' home meet is all hers.

Grossman finished first at the Seabury Hall cross country race for a third consecutive year on Saturday with a time of 20 minutes, 4 seconds on the hilly Seabury course, beating last weekend's winner, Bailey Massenburg of King Kekaulike by just over a minute. After taking the 2007 track season off for personal reasons, Grossman beat the two time defending state track champion Bailey Massenberg convincingly.

Over at Pearl City, more of the same, as Savannah Lowrie of Leilehua, I stand corrected, won a preseason race in a fine time of 19:43 beating last years XC state champ Kristin Ali Keith of Mililani, who ran a 19:57. Here is this week's revised top ten. As we get more times and results this list will change.

1. Sara Clapp 11 Kaiser

   2. Savannah Lowrie 12 Leilehua

   3. Hailey Grossman 11 Seabury Hall

   4. Bailey Massenburg 12 King Kekaulike

   5. Haley Abing 12 La Pietra

   6. Gabriella Jenkins Mililani

   7. Kristin Ali Keith 12 Mililani

   8. Jenna Wong 11 Iolani

   9. Maile Scarpino 12 Iolani

   10. Chaylene Guinto 10 St Francis

Based on information and results from last week here is the team ranking for this week. And remember as we get more information and results this list will change.

1. Iolani

2. Mililani

3. Seabury Hall

4. Punahou

5. Leilehua

090108 - Some Pics For You

Hi all,

Since I've been bombarded with comments about the girls XC prediction, please let me restate THAT THE PREDICTION IS NOT MINE! My policy has been to not make predictions because of my close relationship with the 'Iolani girls team. You are free to make your own predictions by either adding a comment or send me a writeup and I'll post it for you. You may either remain anonymous or if you have enough courage, you may sign it.

Anyway, I thought I'd post some photos from my last few events. I covered in order, the Hawaiian Invitational Water Polo Tournament, the Ann Kang Invitational Volleyball Tournament, the 'Iolani JV Black Girls Volleyball match against Punahou Blue, the 'Iolani JV Red Girls Volleyball match against MPI, and the 'Iolani varsity football game against Kaimuki. If you like my photography, feel free to invite me to one of your events. If there is enough interest showed I will try to work you into my schedule.

Enjoy the photos!

2008 Cross Country Around The Corner

Hi running fans,

Coach Al here. Yes, I've been very derelict in updating this blog. I've had a good excuse though as I've been having health issues. Unfortunately, they are not over yet, although I hope that they will be over soon. I "may" do some updates on this blog, but I'm not making any promises as I really need to stick to my business as I have a limited amount of energy these days.

BUT, I will post articles of interest from anyone who wants to post something. What follows is a prediction for the upcoming girls XC season. IT IS NOT MY OPINION, I'm just the messenger. I may agree with parts of it but I'm not saying. Like last year, I'm too close to the Iolani girls team and don't feel it is right for me to publicize my thoughts.

So, without further ado, the first blog post in quite a long time:



FROM ANONYMOUS (not the same Anonymous as last year):

It might be a tad premature to label the 2008 girls' cross-country season as "The Year of the Transfer", but it is interesting to note that three of the better teams in the state -- including two of the finer squads -- are beneficiaries of school-to-school movement during the off-season. The biggest transfer would have to be Sara Clapp of Kaiser. Clapp exploded onto the Hawaii running scene last track season claiming the 3000 meter state title with a time of 10:30:82, then coming in 6th in the 3000 meters in 10:36 at the National Junior Olympics Final.

The next big move sees Kimberly Pugliese going from Iolani School to Mililani High. Iolani added Breanne Ball 2 years ago and who dominated the intermediate scene in 2007. She is now in 9th grade. Seabury Hall picked up an age group runner via Newport Beach, California by the name of Gracie Peck to help out an already strong squad. Keep in mind that girls' preseason team rankings are infinitely trickier to forecast thanks to the common arrival of 'impact' freshman, as well as the physical maturation the female athlete often experiences at this level of their running careers. I'm only going to rank the top 5 teams based on last year's performers, who they have from last year and who they gained. This list is subject to change.

1. Iolani

2. Seabury Hall

3. Punahou

4. Mililani

5. Leilehua

On the individual side I'm going to list the top 10 girls. Please keep in mind that the order is subject to change at any time just like last season. I based the order on last years CC and track finishes.

1. Bailey Massenburg 12 King Kekaulike

2. Sara Clapp 11 Kaiser

3.Haley Abing 12 La Pietra

4.Kristin Ali Keith 11 Mililani

5. Hailey Grossman 11 Seabury Hall

6.Jenna Wong 11 Iolani

7. Maile Scarpino 12 Iolani

8. Chaylene Guinto 10 St. Francis

9. Savannah Lowrie 12 Leilehua

10. Lea Lundblad. 10 Seabury Hall