HAWAII STATE MEET

Yuta Cole, Kekaihulahi Halpern Win State Finals In Hawaii; Punahou Girls Win 11th Straight Title

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Yuta Cole of Kalani, who lost Hawaii's state championship race by a second last year, ascended to the top spot Saturday. 

Cole ran 16:16.12 in dry, windy conditions and defeated Campbell's Ari Smith by 15 seconds. 

The Iolani School boys, led by Keane Palmer's fourth-place finish, repeated as the Division 1 team champions. Palmer won the state race in 2022. Iolani had six runners in the top 22. Mililani was second with 58 points. 

Micah Brighton finished third overall (16:54.09) and led Seabury Hall to the Division 2 team title. 

Kelaihulali Halpern of Hilo ran away from the field in the girls race, running 19:25.56 and reaching the finish line first by 44 seconds. She had finished third in 2022. 

The Punahou girls held onto their 11th straight Division 1 title by putting five runners into the top 29. The team scored 65 points. 

Saige Miller from Hanalani School finished second overall in 20:09.85 but led her team to the Division 2 team title. 

Team Champions - 

Division 1 - Iolani boys 43 points, Punahou School girls 65 points - RESULTS

Division 2 - Seabury Hall 32 points, Hanalani School 48 points - RESULTS