Kamehameha’s Kruse Enjoys Record-Breaking Run on Maui

Kamehameha Kapalama’s Kaeo Kruse crosses the boys three-mile race in record-breaking fashion Saturday on the campus of Seabury Hall. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

Welcome to Upcountry Maui.

Kamehameha Kapalama Kaeo Kruse made his first trip to the campus of Seabury Hall in Olinda a memorable one Saturday, completing the three-mile, cross-country trek in record-breaking fashion.

Considered the state’s most dominating prep distance runner, Kruse destroyed the boys field of the Honolulu Marathon/HHSAA Cross Country Championships, finishing all alone in 15 minutes, 22.23 seconds.

The win was his second consecutive state cross country title, shattering his winning time of 15:38.19 from last year at the Central Oahu Regional Park, and besting the previous best time of 15:22.4, set by Kamehameha’s Jeremy Kamakaala at Kauai Community College in 2005.

Runner-up boys finisher Louie Ondo of Waiakea runs ahead of Kamehameha’s Kaeo Kruse at the beginning of the race Saturday at Seabury Hall. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

“I just wanted to win for my team,” Kruse said.

Unfortunately, the Warriors came up short in their bid to win four team titles in a row, with Iolani claiming its first team title since 2005. The Red Raiders scored 79 points compared to Punahou’s 100 and Kamehameha Kapalama had 105.

Kruse crossed the finish line 53 seconds ahead of runner-up Louie Ondo of Waiakea. His margin of victory was also a new meet record, topping the 46-second victory Kalaheo’s Shawn Nixon enjoyed in 1993.

Iolani’s Amanda Beaman won the girls race after finishing second the last two years.

“I thought the crowd was amazing, just the support, the Hawaii atmosphere is special and I can’t thank them enough,”  said the Warrior senior who will be competing for Harvard next fall. “This is all because of them, they make it such a great atmosphere to run in, I can’t thank them enough.”

The early leaders in the boys division of the state cross country race held at Seabury Hall on Saturday. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Punahou’s Connor Lehl was third in 16:21.7, followed by Kalaheo’s Avery Torres in 16:28.0 and Iolani’s Royce Garcia was fifth in 16:41.0.

The Maui Interscholastic League’s top boys finisher was King Kekaulike’s Eden MacKinnon, who placed sixth and was timed in 16:41.7. Maui High’s Deion Giron was 23rd in 17:26.1 and teammate Dylan Vega was 26th in 17:32.2.

The Sabers led all MIL boys teams, finishing seventh in the standings with 235 points.

“I really pushed my limits here, because on the Big Island there isn’t as much competition,” said Waiakea’s Ondo, who said he only began running cross country last year. “It was fun today. Running up hill is more of my strength, but going downhill is a weakness for me. But I came a day early and ran every part of the course, so there were no surprises.”

Maui High’s Deion Giron (136) and Shaye Thorup helped the Sabers finish seventh in the team standings Saturday at Seabury Hall. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

HONOLULU MARATHON CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday’s Results

At Seabury Hall

Boys Division

Team Results

1. Iolani 79, 2. Punahou 100, 3. Kamehameha Kapalama 105, 4. Waiakea 125, 5. Kalaheo 171, 6. Hilo 199, 7. Maui High 235, 8. Hawaii Prep 265, 9. Hawaii Baptist 299, 10. McKinley 302, 11. Pearl City 304, 12. Kealakehe 304, 13. Baldwin 318, 14. Kauai 327, 15. Kaiser 342, 16. Maryknoll 350, 17. Hanalani 356, 18. King Kekaulike 420, 19. Mililani 448.

Individual Results

1. Kaeo Kruse, Kamehameha Kapalama, 15:22.2; 2. Louie Ondo, Waiakea, 16:15.1; 3. Connor Lehl, Punahou, 16:21.7; 4. Avery Torres, Kalaheo, 16:28.0; 5. Royce Garcia, Iolani, 16:41.0; 6. Eden MacKinnon, King Kekaulike, 16:41.7; 7. Aaron Shiinoki, Punahou, 16:45.2; 8. Cody Ranfranz, Konawaena, 16:46.4; 9. Ziggy Bartholomy, Kealakehe, 16:47.9; 10. River Brown, Hilo, 16:51.0;

Baldwin and Kauai runners try to keep pace with the leaders through the first lap of the boys race Saturday at Seabury Hall. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

11. Adalberto Malagon, Kealakehe, 16:52.7; 12. Nate Ladwig, Hawaii Prep, 16:55.2; 13. Craig Shner Ii, Maryknoll, 16:56.0; 14. Lawrence Barrett, Konawaena, 16:56.1; 15. Colby Otero, Kalaheo, 17:02.9; 16. Jason Wang, Iolani, 17:05.0; 17. Kawika Jacang, Kamehameha Kapalama, 17:08.2; 18. Nicholas Arima, Iolani, 17:09.1; 19. Rylie Cabalse, Waiakea, 17:10.4; 20. Tyler Ebisuya, Iolani, 17:16.5;

21. Uilasho Francisco, Maryknoll, 17:20.2; 22. Cameron Daniel, Punahou, 17:23.9; 23. Deion Giron, Maui High, 17:26.1; 24. Slater Inouye, Waiakea, 17:27.0; 25. Jacob Vigliante, Radford, 17:29.6; 26. Dylan Vega, Maui High, 17:32.2; 27. Keola Lidstone-Cayaby, Kamehameha Kapalama, 17:34.0; 28. Kai Sears, Baldwin, 17:35.5; 29. Tyler Wong, Iolani, 17:36.3; 30. Ricardo Solorzano, McKinley, 17:37.7;

31. Gillaume Tabary, Kalaheo, 17:38.8; 32. Thomas Gentry, Iolani, 17:38.9; 33. Evan Iwanaga, Kamehameha Kapalama, 17:41.6; 34. Jesse Wysard, Punahou, 17:42.8; 35. Austin Young, Kalani, 17:43.6; 36. Louis Delcore, Kalaheo, 17:44.0; 37. Motomasa Mitsui, McKinley, 17:44.0; 38. Adrian Larkspur, Waiakea, 17:44.6; 39. Kekoa Ulansey, Kamehameha Kapalama, 17:46.7; 40. Joe Cavalieri, Kamehameha Kapalama, 17:46.8;

Spectators lined the hill and cheered on the competitors at the state cross country championships Saturday at Seabury Hall. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

41. Schaal Aziah, Saint Louis, 17:53.8; 42. Chase Higa, Hawaii Baptist, 17:53.9; 43. Benjamin Rubasch, Iolani, 17:54.9; 44. Hudson Lockette, Castle, 17:56.8; 45. Paul McCabe, Punahou, 17:56.8; 46. Kellen Tasaka, Roosevelt, 17:57.4; 47. Kai Garson-Shumway, Hilo, 17:57.9; 48. Matteo Dumas, Radford, 17:58.2; 49. Tyler Cooper, Baldwin, 17:58.5; 50. Tucker Chase, Hanalani, 17:59.1;

51. Patrick Delldonne, Hawaii Baptist, 18:00.4; 52. Aaron Nonaka, Roosevelt, 18:01.6; 53. Ilan Naibryf, Hawaii Prep, 18:01.6; 54. Richard Helman, Le Jardin, 18:03.2; 55. Pookela Akiona, King Kekaulike, 18:08.9; 56. Brandon Baca, Hilo, 18:11.1; 57. Aris Aynessazian, Hilo, 18:11.9; 58. Tytan Heresa, Kauai, 18:12.9; 59. Rex Imanaka, Kaiser, 18:13.2; 60. Manuel Dominguez, Kapaa, 18:14.1;

61. Samuel Chase, Hanalani, 18:15.2; 62. Jiem Emji, Waiakea, 18:15.5; 63. Brent Watanabe, Pearl City, 18:16.5; 64. Chase Yoshida, Pearl City, 18:16.7; 65. Preston Sihavong, Mid Pacific, 18:17.1; 66. Ryan Witthans, Kamehameha Hawaii, 18:18.0; 67. Davin Rausch, Hawaii Baptist, 18:19.0; 68. Nicholas Georgia, Kaiser, 18:19.8; 69. Bradley Cox, Kaiser, 18:19.8; 70. Alexander Black, Le Jardin, 18:20.7;

71. Kawika Fernandez, Maui High, 18:22.7; 72. Corban Hodge, Hanalani, 18:22.8; 73. Dutch Fairbanks, Kauai, 18:23.3; 74. Braden Andrews, Kapaa, 18:23.6; 75. Martin Fajardo, Radford, 18:24.3; 76. Kaimi Mossman, Hilo, 18:25.1; 77. Daniel Cohen, Hawaii Prep, 18:27.1; 78. Keao Ross, Molokai, 18:28.5; 79. Balion Powell, Aiea, 18:29.7; 80. Andrew Von Weber, Waialua, 18:31.2;

The start of the boys three-mile race Saturday at Seabury Hall. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

81. Steven Baca, Hilo, 18:31.3; 82. Noah Dollente, Pearl City, 18:32.3; 83. Kainalu Estrella, Lahainaluna, 18:32.5; 84. David Cabantangan, McKinley, 18:33.4; 85. Alex Barrera, Maui High, 18:33.5; 86. Dean Omura, Lahainaluna, 18:33.7; 87. Kane Casillas, Kauai, 18:33.8; 88. Zachery Anguay, Baldwin, 18:33.9; 89. Riley Cullen, Pearl City, 18:34.0; 90. Michael Christensen, Makua Lani, 18:34.2;

91. Tristan Sienkiewski, Hawaii Prep, 18:37.2; 92. August O’Shea, Kealakehe, 18:37.3; 93. Kyrus Lancaster, Campbell, 18:37.6; 94. Gunner Vallatini, Kauai, 18:38.0; 95. Nykolas Brunner, Maui High, 18:39.5; 96. Noah Ines, Pearl City, 18:39.6; 97. Simon Ellis, Konawaena, 18:40.0; 98. Anthony Wolfe, Moanalua, 18:40.2; 99. Cy Ornellas, Kamehameha Maui, 18:40.8; 100. Elijah Abramo, Mililani, 18:41.1;

101. Diego Garcia, Punahou, 18:42.2; 102. Shaye Thorup, Maui High, 18:42.5; 103. Dalton Aganos, King Kekaulike, 18:43.1; 104. Shadoe Soukey, Hilo, 18:43.5; 105. Juaquin Samaniego, Molokai, 18:43.5; 106. Timothy Chang, Punahou, 18:44.8; 107. Reagan Matsumoto, Kaiser, 18:45.0; 108. Brandon Rogers, Leilehua, 18:46.5; 109. Shaun Kojima, Waiakea, 18:48.1; 110. Preston Iha, Hawaii Baptist, 18:48.6;

111. Jason Lee, Hawaii Prep, 18:49.3; 112. Laakea Ching, Kamehameha Kapalama, 18:50.2; 113. Thong Giorgio, McKinley, 18:51.2; 114. Lucas Chun, Hawaii Baptist, 18:51.4; 115. John Pol Baltero, Lanai, 18:51.9; 116. Justin Berry, St. Francis, 18:52.5; 117. Caleb Soo Hoo, Baldwin, 18:53.2; 118. Andrew Herr, Kauai, 18:53.4; 119. Malcolm Davis, Hawaii Prep, 18:53.4; 120. Noah Wilson, Assets, 18:53.8;

121. Rayne Lancaster, Campbell, 18:54.4; 122. Roman Philson, Radford, 18:54.7; 123. David Schmid, Leilehua, 18:54.8; 124. Ren Nakamura, Roosevelt, 18:55.0; 125. Jacob Chang, Mililani, 18:55.1; 126. Trace Pule, Waialua, 18:56.1; 127. Eric Cabais-Fernande, Waiakea, 18:57.5; 128. Sage Ioanna, Kapaa, 18:58.0; 129. Craig Peterson, Kapolei, 18:58.5; 130. Evan Yonamine, Mililani, 18:58.6;

131. Devon Hartsell, Waimea, 18:58.8; 132. Naoto Kubota, Hanalani, 18:58.9; 133. Jamir Bryant, Roosevelt, 18:59.2; 134. Bailey McAloon, Waianae, 18:59.6; 135. Makoa Martin, Seabury Hall, 18:59.8; 136. Timothy Schiller, Mililani, 19:00.3; 137. Zech Ulgade, Honokaa, 19:00.4; 138. John McConnell, Kapolei, 19:00.9; 139. Blake Tan, Lanai, 19:02.7; 140. Patrick Leonhardt, Kalaheo, 19:03.5;

141. Seth Shen, McKinley, 19:03.9; 142. Marcus Tsuruda, Maryknoll, 19:04.3; 143. Jonah Hurney, Hawaii Prep, 19:06.1; 144. Josh Miller, Island School, 19:09.2; 145. Harry Wallace, Kalaheo, 19:09.8; 146. Garrett Cadiz, Pearl City, 19:11.2; 147. Sean Fukuhara, Baldwin, 19:12.6; 148. Kekoa Hunt, King Kekaulike, 19:12.8; 149. Ezekiel Blackwell, Mililani, 19:13.1; 150. Jacob Schmidt, Leilehua, 19:13.5;

151. Tyler Stiles, Mililani, 19:13.7; 152. Majdi Mariano, Kealakehe, 19:14.1; 153. Reijiro Rose, Campbell, 19:14.1; 154. Christian Batad, Kea’au, 19:15.7; 155. Govardan Strayhorn, Pahoa, 19:16.7; 156. Alex Paet, Baldwin, 19:17.0; 157. Keaweiwi Pilayo, Honokaa, 19:17.1; 158. Connor Kagamada, Kaiser, 19:17.2; 159. Nicolino Keen, Christian Liberty, 19:17.8; 160. Demytri Dameg, Lanai, 19:18.6;

161. Masanari Mitsui, Kalani, 19:19.6; 162. Noah Roberts, Campbell, 19:20.5; 163. Joshua Millar, Mid Pacific, 19:22.3; 164. Jacob Herr, Kauai, 19:24.1; 165. Kannon Rivas, Kaiser, 19:24.7; 166. James Esaki, Castle, 19:25.0; 167. Shiwen Li, Mid Pacific, 19:29.3; 168. Robert Haas, Mililani, 19:30.4; 169. Sean Vidania, Makua Lani, 19:31.6; 170. Peyton Oshiro, Hawaii Baptist, 19:32.3;

171. Ryan Sugimura, Castle, 19:32.7; 172. Kekoa Kimata-Lopez, Waimea, 19:32.8; 173. Haku’inakololan Chock, Maryknoll, 19:33.3; 174. Micah Char, Maryknoll, 19:33.5; 175. Chance Souze, Kohala, 19:33.8; 176. Logan Takizawa, Konawaena, 19:35.6; 177. Eric Wisno,, Le Jardin, 19:35.8; 178. Andrew Amaral, Kamehameha Maui, 19:38.5; 179. Kilika Grace-Gandeza, Moanalua, 19:38.8; 180. Eric Osicky, Kealakehe, 19:41.1;

181. Payton Yoshioka, Castle, 19:48.6; 182. Justin Franklin, Kapaa, 19:49.6; 183. Gabriel Tom, Kaiser, 19:49.9; 184. Gage Rutz, Kapolei, 19:51.3; 185. Jaxon Naiditch, Seabury Hall, 19:51.9; 186. Marcus Yamamoto, Pearl City, 19:53.5; 187. Matthew Fulton, Hanalani, 19:53.5; 188. Reyson Agcaoili, Kauai, 19:55.0; 189. Preston Ferry, Christian Academy, 20:01.4; 190. Sheven Asejo, Kamehameha-Hawaii, 20:01.8;

191. Luke Burkhart, King Kekaulike, 20:24.6; 192. Jerome Quines, Honokaa, 20:32.3; 193. Noah Chin, Christian Academy, 20:33.0; 194. Joey Musto, King Kekaulike, 21:51.5; 195. Sam Frampton, Seabury Hall, 22:26.1; 196. Dane Isara, Mid Pacific, 22:37.7.