Cantere, Ford Overcome Chilly, Wet Conditions As State Meet Returns To Islands

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

In unusual weather conditions - wet, muddy and with temps in the mid-50s - the Hawaii High School Cross Country Championships made their return for the first time since 2019 on Saturday morning at Hawaii Preparatory Academy campus in Waimea.  

The boys race saw a dramatic finish as Maui’s Kainoa Cantere (18:48.26) edged out Benjamin Zerr of Kalaheo (18:48.86) to pick up the individual victory on the hilly and slippery 5,000-meter course. Led by Ben Brown’s fifth place finish, Punahou, the Division I champions from 2019, finished with four in the top 10 to retain the team title. 

In the girls race, Punahou’s Izzy Ford won the 5,000-meter race in a time of 21:24.07. Teammates Malia Dickhens was fourth (22:30) and Lauren Sanders captured fifth (22:32) to place three in the top five. Kaylee Volner of Seabury Hall was runner-up in 21:35.51. Volner came to the mainland and placed 14th at the NXR Northwest meet on Nov. 13.

Despite a delayed start to the season, schools in Hawaii were able to have a season this fall after 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic. Requirements for runners to participate in the state tournament by the Hawaii Schools Athletic Association included proof of full vaccination or recent negative COVID-19 test.

Hawaii's state meet was the final one held in the U.S. this fall. 

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