One of Maui’s best: Massenburg leaves MIL with winning legacy both on and off track

Article Photos

Fact Box

MIL GIRL ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

2008-09-Bailey Massenburg, King Kekaulike

2007-08-Bailey Massenburg, King Kekaulike

2006-07-Chelsea Machida, Maui High

2005-06-Tiara Dole, St. Anthony

2004-05-Emalia Suehiro, King Kekaulike

2003-04-Kami Kapaku, Baldwin, and Tia Ferguson, Seabury Hall

2002-03-Chandi Bickford, King Kekaulike

2001-02-Ashlyn Russell, Baldwin

2000-01-Nicole Garbin, Baldwin

1999-2000-None selected

1998-99-Cassie Coffin, St. Anthony

1997-98-Aloha Santiago, Baldwin, and Lisa Arcangel, Lahainaluna

1996-97-Aina Kohler, Lahainaluna

1995-96-Aina Kohler, Lahainaluna

1994-95-Prestine Foster, Baldwin

1993-94-Kari Luna, Baldwin

1992-93-Joelynn Naki, Baldwin

1991-92-Jean Okada, Lahainaluna

1990-91-Kimmie Ouchi, Seabury Hall

Bailey Massenburg.

In the Maui Interscholastic League, the name of the recent King Kekaulike High School graduate stands alone.

Six state titles, all in the last 12 months of her career. Playing the No. 1 spot on Na Alii's tennis team the last two seasons, a team title and runner-up spot claimed in the process, all while she concentrated on running.

And Massenburg's athletic accolades don't stop at the MIL level.

She was the first King Kekaulike athlete ever inducted into the Hawaii High School Hall of Honor earlier this month - the only Neighbor Island athlete of the 12 inductees in 2009.

And Thursday, she was named the 2009 Gatorade Hawaii Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, the first to win that award from King Kekaulike.

In the classroom?

A 4.095 cumulative grade-point average - making her one of the school's 15 valedictorians - after taking five Advanced Placement classes over the last two years.

Out of the classroom?

Composing and performing an original song for a school musical. Serving as statistician for the school's state-tournament girls soccer team.

In the community?

Hatching the idea for the ''Meet the Need'' food drive for the Maui Food Bank, serving as coordinator of the event held at King Kekaulike track and cross country meets for the last year and a half, collecting 800 pounds of food and $1,600 in the process - then passing it on to a teammate to keep it going.

Being a team member for a three-week mission to aid schools in Nicaragua, volunteering at Maui Memorial Medical Center, being a worship leader at Waipuna Chapel, and being a pianist and vocalist for the Maui Film Festival.

The list is long and impressive and makes Massenburg the clear choice of The Maui News as the MIL Girl Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row.

Only one other person, boy or girl, has ever won the 19-year-old award twice - Lahainaluna's Aina Kohler in 1995-96 and 1996-97.

''Insane,'' was Massenburg's answer when asked how ''two-time MIL Girl Athlete of the Year'' sounded to her. ''Growing up I would always look at different athletes and aspire to be like them, but it was never in my wildest dreams to be one of those girls or one of those athletes that people noticed.''

Being recognized happens to Massenburg these days.

''Even today, someone came up to me when I was coaching tennis and said, 'Oh, are you the runner girl?' '' Massenburg said. ''It is like weird that people know who I am, even on such a small island.''

While other girl runners in the state will hardly miss her - she won the 800- and 1,500-meter races at state each of the last two years, the state cross country crown in 2008, and added a leg on the championship 4x400 relay last month - it is hard for Massenburg to believe she is done as a prep.

In August she will go to Point Loma Nazarene University in California, where she will run cross country and track.

''I am going to miss it, but I am so excited for what is ahead,'' she said. ''It is so cliche, but I am definitely starting a new chapter. I think the transition will go a lot smoother because I will be competing in college.

''It is different, it is totally different. I went to visit a track meet and there are so many more people. Especially in the past year, I am used to being on the top. Now, I am down on the bottom of the totem pole. I am going to use it as a chance to build up who I am and learn from it.''

Massenburg has left her mark on her teammates and competitors.

Four-time MIL girls tennis champion Jackie Owens of Lahainaluna played Massenburg several times in juniors and high school.

''Bailey is an extraordinary athlete and a really great person,'' Owens said. ''She worked really hard and we are really proud of her. I think the first time I played her, I was about 13. Ever since I met her, our relationship has been really positive. She is a really great friend.''

Reid Hunter, a senior classmate of Massenburg's, has blazed new trails on the slopes of Haleakala while training with her. Hunter broke through to win his first state titles last month, in the 800 and 1,500.

''It has been fascinating, she is incredible,'' Hunter said. ''To see her win so easily, it makes me feel ... it puts pressure on me to win because it was hard to come back into the house after a state championship and she winning a few golds and I not having any. So it puts the pressure on, but to see her do well, it just makes me want to do well as I can, too.''

Hunter and Massenburg each won $500 checks at the Front Street Mile last year, but as amateurs could not accept the money. Hunter donated his check to ''Meet the Need,'' and Massenburg followed suit.

''It was really sweet. He could have given it to anything, and he chose to give it to 'Meet the Need,' '' Massenburg said. ''That was really cool.''

At the 2008 state track meet, Massenburg nearly pulled off an unprecedented triple when she just missed winning the 3,000 after already claiming the 800 and 1,500 crowns.

When she didn't line up for the preliminaries in the 3,000 this season, there was some wonder about what was going on among the crowd at Keaau High School Stadium. Massenburg had decided to run on the 4x400 relay team and helped that group win a state crown with a blazing 59-second third leg. Massenburg made up most of a 20-yard deficit and passed two teams in the process before handing the baton in the relay to freshman Maya Palaroan. The first two runners were juniors Sofia Freeman and Bianca Rajan.

''The entire season I was kind of debating whether to do the 3,000 or not, and a lot of people were like, 'You are the cross country state champion, why wouldn't you want to do the 3,000?' '' she said. ''It was always in the back of my mind (to do the 4x400). My coaches and I knew, but I didn't want to share it. It just came together. That was my second 400 of the entire season. I had run two races. It was just amazing.''

Teammate Alexa Foley, who ran the 4x400 trials at state in Massenburg's place, and opponents Lea Lundblad, Kailea Tracy-Visintainer and Hailey Grossman - all of Seabury Hall - were among the people Massenburg said she would miss the most.

The bottom line for Massenburg is that she will take the audience she cares about most with her wherever she goes.

''If we are going to put anything in the newspaper, this would be the most important: Everything I do is for an audience of one,'' she said. ''The reason I do everything is because of my faith and my God-given talent. I feel that the talent he has given someone, they should always just glorify the Lord with that.''

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.