For a reporter, showing up for a regular-season wrestling match is like walking into an open book.
When you are looking for a story, there are so many different ways things can go. With one-on-one battles happening on three to five mats at one time, there are plenty of possible narratives to choose from.
Two of Punahou’s state title contenders are Angelina Daoang and Kaistin Vasquez.
So how do you pick? Armed with some knowledge about who the strong wrestlers are on Friday night, I started my search on Friday night at the Saint Louis gym. That’s where the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season got underway with a bunch of team dual meets and some individual exhibitions.
About a week earlier, one of the ILH coaches emailed me a tip that Punahou had a very strong, nationally ranked girl wrestler, but the coach didn’t know her name.
So first thing’s first: Go see Punahou coach Yoshi Honda. And that led me to the girl. Her name is Angelina Daoang and I had actually written about her before for Bedrock Sports in July 2021, the year Hawaii had no season because of COVID-19. You can read that here: Erin Hikiji And Angelina Daoang Are Among Four Nationally Ranked 2021 Hawaii High School Wrestlers.
The last time a state tournament was held in 2020, Daoang was an eighth-grader. She’s been wrestling since age 6 under coach Charles Ariola.
“I’ve been going all over the country for nationals and stuff,” said Daoang, whose nickame is Twinkle and who is likely going to wrestle in the 107-pound class.
What about this new season, her first in high school?
“I’m not going to really focus on who my opponent is too much, so I don’t psych myself out,” added Daoang, who did not compete Friday. “But I know there are a lot of really good competitors this year and I’m looking forward to wrestling all of them. I just saw some matches in that weight class and they look really good. I know the neighbor islands and the OIA have some really good wrestlers, too.”
One of Daoang’s goals — aside from a possible run at league and state titles — is to make the U.S. women’s Cadet (under-16) team.
A Punahou boys wrestler, Kaistin Vasquez, is a state title contender, having placed third at 113 pounds in 2020.
Saint Louis Has At Least Three State-Title Contenders
At the last state tournament in 2020, Saint Louis had three placers in the top six who are back as seniors this year — Dreddin Villalpando, Boston Opetaia and Cyrus Bucsit.
Saint Louis’ state placers in 2020: from left to right: Cyrus Bucsit, Dreddin Villalpando and Boston Opetaia.
Only Bucsit was in action on Friday, with several matches at 113 pounds. One was against ‘Iolani’s Joshua Frias and it had a dramatic ending, with Bucsit prevailing 7-5 in a third overtime period.
At one point, Frias looked to have it won, scoring a takedown with no time left in regulation for an apparent 7-5 win. But after a review, it was ruled by the officials that the takedown came after time ran out.
“Toward the end, I kind of gave out and got tired and started to loosen up under pressure,” Frias said. “When I got to my hips, that’s when he was able to get the go-behind for a takedown. Toward the end of (regulation), I knew I got the two, but I guess they took it away because of time but I know they should have counted it. I definitely felt great. I’m frustrated because I could have come out more aggressive in the beginning. I know I can go far. I’ve got to work on small things and make sure I’m putting my best effort into it.”
‘Iolani’s Joshua Frias.
Two years ago, Bucsit defeated Frias just before states. Bucsit wound up placing third at 106 pounds at states in 2020 and Frias made the quarterfinals.
Both are state contenders this year in whichever division they end up in — 106 or 113.
Opetaia placed second at states in 2020 at 170 pounds. He is likely to be moving up in weight class this year, but he is still recovering from injuries to his ACL and MCL that he suffered as a running back in spring football.
“I got to play in our last two (fall) games, against Mililani and Kahuku,” he said. “This is my senior year and I want to go out strong (in wrestling). It’s a blessing to be able to participate in general and I want to take advantage of that and get to work.”
Opetaia, who is working out and practicing for now without any real matches, plans to return to official competition in early February.
“Whenever I feel comfortable with me knee,” he added.
Opetaia also had some good words for teammates Bucsit and Villalpando (state third place at 126 pounds in 2020):
“They’re looking good, better than ever,” he said. “They’re both coming off injuries as well, but are still wrestling at a high level.”
Kamehameha’s Haley Narahara Is One Of Four Returning Hawaii State Champions
Bedrock Sports also caught up with one of the four returning state champions this year, Kamehameha’s Haley Narahara.
“Things are going good so far,” she said. “I’m glad that we have a season. Wrestling is always tough, but not having a high school season last year was really rough. I’m lucky to have a family that takes me outside and can support me competing nationally. That’s a big help.”
Kamehaheha’s Haley Narahara, right, is the reigning state champion at 112 pounds. Nohea Moniz, center, Aliya Takano are returning state placers.
Narahara, who won states at 112 in 2020 and is nationally ranked, also had words of wisdom about the sometimes forgotten team aspect of wrestling.
“I’d love to get the two-time (individual state championship), but I want to get the team championship even more,” she said.
Hawaii’s other returning state champions are Baldwin’s Tobey Ravida (113 pounds in 2020), Moanalua’s Blaze Sumiye (145 in 2020), and Mililani’s Erin Hikiji (97 in 2020).
Two of Narahara’s teammates are returning state placers — Nohea Moniz (third place at 107 pounds in 2020) and Aliya Takano (fourth place, 117).
Two-Time Kamehameha State Champ Brant Porter’s Brother Is On The Mat For Waianae
Bedrock Sports Hawaii also went to the Radford gym to check out some OIA round-robin matches on Saturday.
Another open book for a reporter.
This time, the storyline compass pointed to Waianae’s Bransen Porter, who is the brother of Brant Porter, the four-time state placer and two-time state champion (126 in 2020, 120 in 2019) from Kamehameha.
Waianae’s Bransen Porter.
Only a sophomore, Bransen wants to find his own state success.
“I do have thoughts about being a state champion just like him,” Bransen said. “I’m really hoping I can be successful.”
Porter is part of what looks to be a highly competitive 138-pound class. On Saturday, he prevailed 7-3 in a tough match against Castle’s Keegan Goeas.
“I got a reversal (near the end) and got in a good situation so I could get the three,” Porter added. “That’s what won me the match.”
And Porter is far from immune to losing. He lost later in the day by fall at 5:00 to Aiea junior Gabriel Grilho.
For Friday’s ILH results, click here: ILH Wrestling: Dual Meet Results From Saint Louis (Jan. 14).
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ALSO AT BedrockSportsHawaii.com:
Hawaii High School Football Season Is Done, But Never Fear, WRESTLING Is Here
OIA Wrestling: Round-Robin Tournament Results From Campbell, Kaiser And Radford
WATCH: 9 Videos From ILH Duals And OIA Round-Robins On Jan. 14 And 15
