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Kahana crew pulls through

West Maui club’s freshman women’s team remains unbeaten with late push at Naleieha Regatta

Kahana Canoe Club’s freshmen women’s crew of Suzi Tucker, Jenna Hunter, Genevieve Ruvald, Danielle Kuck, Misty Branco and Ana Farmer heads back to shore after finishing in first place Saturday during the Naleieha Regatta at Hanakao‘o (Canoe) Beach Park. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

LAHAINA — Kahana Canoe Club’s Genevieve Ruvald needed to dig deeper than she’s ever had to this Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association season.

Trailing Hawaiian Canoe Club for much of the freshmen women’s race Saturday, Ruvald and her West Maui crew pushed ahead in the final stretch to remain undefeated during its club’s Naleieha Regatta at Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach Park.

“We had to earn that one,” she said. “From way down inside. It was a really good one today.”

The crew of Ruvald, Ana Farmer, Suzi Tucker, Jenna Hunter, Danielle Kuck and Misty Branco won for a third time this season, finishing the 1-mile race in 9 minutes, 1.08 seconds. Hawaiian took second in 9:03.66.

Kahana started the race off slow and was nearly disqualified after hitting the flag on the second turn.

Hawaiian Canoe Club’s Matthew Daniells goes to hug Lynn Carroll after their crew won the 55 mixed race. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

“Jenna saved the flag,” Ruvald said. “We hit it, but we didn’t bury it. She took her paddle out and popped it out so it went on the other side of the ama.”

Heading into the final turn and quarter-mile of the race, the crew couldn’t see Hawaiian but could hear that they were close, Ruvald said.

“We knew we were a little bit behind, but on the straight-a-ways we know that’s where we can catch up,” she said. “The last turn Suzi nailed it and we just went all out.”

Before the victory, Kahana enjoyed two more gold medals from its women’s Novice B and mixed Novice B crews. The women’s crew took first in 2:02.06 ahead of Kihei, while the mixed team edged Hawaiian by about a second to finish in 1:49.54.

“It was phenomenal,” said Kate Mouery, who was on both crews. “We practiced really hard these past couple weeks and Wednesday we really dialed in our starts as a team.”

Competitors in the men’s 50 race take off from the starting line Saturday. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

The women’s crew took third and fifth in the last two regattas, and was a little surprised to win Saturday, Mouery said. The Novice B division is for first-year paddlers with no experience.

“It’s a very humbling sport to start new at,” she said. “We’ve all been working hard to stay conditioned and learn all the technicalities. We’re just really proud of our team and we’re trying to stay positive.”

Kihei Canoe Club enjoyed victories in the older divisions, including the mix 60s and 70s races. The association added the mix 70s event to the 46-race regatta this season and ran it simultaneously with the mix 60s.

Denise Guerin, who was part of the 60 mix crew, said it “felt great” to see her club win both races, especially her team, which did it without boat holders. She said her crew was surprised before their race when they arrived at the start line with no one there to keep them in place.

“We just had to settle down a little bit and use our experience to get the boat set so we don’t get disqualified from the start,” Guerin said. “Our start was conservative, but our crew focused on being together and applying the power together. We had a nice turn and settled in on the way back.”

Kihei Canoe Club’s 60 mix crew of Katy Smith, Mike Strauss, John Kershaw, Stanford Lanias, Gail Wood and Denise Guerin celebrate on the shore after winning their race. -- The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

While the South Maui club is a favorite in the senior races, Hawaiian appears to have stole the 55 mix division with back-to-back wins. The crew of Michael Newbro, Trez Harrisson, Matthew Daniells, Lynn Carroll, Jeanette Kaauamo and Kauhane Luuwai finished ahead of Kihei in 4:05.06.

“Kihei has dominated the mix 55 for years — like a decade,” Newbro said. “For us to beat them was a big deal last week … we just had to make sure we did it again.”

As the larger clubs continue to battle for wins, Kahana has experienced a slight resurgence with returning paddlers and new members. The club has about 60 to 80 paddlers as well as 30 to 40 kids.

“This was a big keiki year for us,” said Farmer, vice president of the club. “I think we basically doubled in size. We’ve had a solid turnout, it’s been awesome.”

Ruvald, who is in her fourth year with the club, said Kahana has a deep foundation rooted in family, love and friendship. She said many members have remained a part of the club since they were little.

“I wouldn’t choose any other club,” she said. “I even live in Kihei and I still come out here for practices at 5 a.m. in the morning. It’s worth it to me and I know for a lot of people it’s brought them family.”

* Chris Sugidono is at csugidono@mauinews.com

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MCHCA NALEIEHA REGATTA

Saturday’s Results

At Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach

1. Hawaiian 156, 2. Kihei 85, 3. Napili 66, 4. Wailea 59, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 51, 6. Kahana 50, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 24, 8. Lahaina 13, Hana 5.

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MCHCA SEASON STANDINGS

Through three of seven events

1. Hawaiian 439, 2. Kihei 269, 3. Napili 212, 4. Wailea 161, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 157, 6. Kahana 123, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 86, 8. Lahaina 39, 9. Hana 27.

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MCHCA NALEIEHA REGATTA

Saturday’s Results

At Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach Park

Female

Quarter Mile

12A–1. Napili 2:09.08 (Teani Mederios-Maielua, Kealoha Baricuatro, Jaiyah Imamoto, Noelle Storer, Naiya Eide, Michella Cabingas), 2. Hawaiian 2:11.85, 3. Kihei 2:20.88, 4. Hana 2:23.15, 5. Lahaina 2:25.87, 6. Na Kai Ewalu 2:31.32, 7. Lae’ula O Kai 2:36.13, 8. Wailea 3:10.86. 12B–1. Napili 2:17.39 (Kealoha Baricuatro, Isabella Wilsey-Botelho, Jaiyah Imamoto, Nayah-Iliana Smith, Naiya Eide, Chamille Balderas), 2. Hawaiian 2:18.16, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 2:25.05, 4. Wailea 2:27.14, 5. Lahaina 2:27.77, 6. Kihei 2:29.78, 7. Hana 2:35.64, 8. Kahana 2:53.61, 9. Na Kai Ewalu 3:04.60. 13–1. Napili 2:05.88 (Maile Cacal, Quinsea Loft, Puliki Rogers, Patricia Haufekai, Taimane Cajudoy, Tiana-Rose Naki), 2. Hawaiian 2:12.44, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 2:14.77, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 2:15.40, 5. Kahana 2:22.16. 14–1. Hawaiian 2:03.02 (Kawaiola Hookano, Kahealani Haupu, Keani Artates-Kahui, Kailia Purdy, Tatum Hoshino, Nohealani Ledesma), 2. Napili 2:12.81, 3. Hana 2:20.26, 4. Kahana 2:20.80, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 2:21.63, 6. Kihei 2:22.32. Novice B–1. Kahana 2:02.06 (Katie Delgado, Kesa Stoddart, Kelsey Manning, Aina Kohler, Kate Mouery, Krystle Park), 2. Kihei 2:05.87, 3. Wailea 2:07.55, 4. Hawaiian 2:10.69, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 2:12.33, 6. Lae’ula O Kai 2:21.15.

Half Mile

15–1. Hawaiian 4:35.77 (Skyla Adriano-Howard, Amber Proctor, Tehani Santos, Gabriella Pacheco, Kawaiola Hookano, Melina Perez), 2. Lahaina 4:54.86, 3. Napili 5:00.58, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 5:04.93, 5. Kihei 5:08.43. 16 (note: no times due to timer malfunction)–1. Hawaiian (Rose Delaney, Tatiana Soon, Olivia Delaney, Kahealani Haupu, Skyla Adriano-Howard, Nohealani Ledesma), 2. Kihei, 3. Lae’ula O Kai, 4. Napili. 18–1. Hawaiian 4:27.26 (Rose Delaney, Olivia Delaney, Kaya Givensel, Kaysha Terry-AhKui, Kapua Albiar, Hiilei Luuwai), 2. Na Kai Ewalu 4:43.85, 3. Napili 4:48.55, 4. Kihei 5:01.25. 50–1. Kihei 4:34.53 (Donna Stockwell, Patty Phillips, Cate Bellafiore, Ingrid Thronson, Janine Masaki, Polly Arnold-Lorge), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 4:34.88, 3. Hawaiian 4:55.27. 55–1. Lae’ula O Kai 4:39.35 (Tanya Muhle, Victoria Takayesu-Hamilton, Lei Laanui, Jacque Mulleitner, Donelle Zarko, Kehau Keaweehu), 2. Kihei 4:57.07, 3. Hawaiian 5:07.08. 60–1. Kihei 4:43.01 (Katy Smith, Judy Epstein, Linda Lopez, Teresa Reiss, Gail Wood, Denise Guerin), 2. Hawaiian 4:47.66, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:57.06. 65–1. Kihei 4:42.88 (Meryl Cohen, Wanda Shirreff, Vanessa Weiss, Anita Anderson, Deb Pearsall, Linda Kahler), 2. Hawaiian 4:51.30, 3. Kahana 5:27.65. Novice A–1. Hawaiian 4:23.70 (Moana Weitecha, Sarah Fletcher, Dodi Pritchett, Bailey Roberts, Madalyn Groulx, Mikiala Puaa-Freitas), 2. Kahana 4:27.08, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 4:27.69, 4. Kihei 4:35.35, 5. Lahaina 5:00.82. Open Four–1. Hawaiian 4:52.76 (Theresa Felgate, Ihilani Catugal, Margie Kawaiaea, Theresa Gerry), 2. Na Kai Ewalu 4:55.13, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:59.92, 4. Kahana 5:07.26, 5. Wailea 5:11.32, 6. Napili 5:12.20, 7. Kihei 5:15.26, 8. Lahaina 5:27.32.

Mile

40–1. Kihei 9:23.32 (Keri Mehling, Heather Bell, Michele Willmering, Amity Mason, Lani Espinoza, Polly Arnold-Lorge), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 9:31.23, 3. Hawaiian 9:37.50, 4. Napili 10:31.30. Freshman–1. Kahana 9:01.08 (Suzi Tucker, Jenna Hunter, Genevieve Ruvald, Danielle Kuck, Misty Branco, Ana Farmer), 2. Hawaiian 9:03.66, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 9:27.39, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 9:39.88. Sophomore–1. Kihei 8:53.76 (Jen Edwards, Sandy Carvalho, Michele Willmering, Allison Lee, Suzanne Conlon, Julie Shoup), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 9:09.97, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 9:24.89, 4. Kahana 9:27.20, 5. Hawaiian 9:41.38, 6. Wailea 10:12.93. Junior–1. Wailea 9:01.10 (Mahealani Keliipaakaua, Lyndsay Greenan, Melanie King, Ashley McKenney, Sheena Beaudoin, Kathrine Lindeman), 2. Hawaiian 9:08.42, 3. Napili 9:21.90, 4. Kihei 9:29.98, 5. Kahana 9:46.98.

1 1⁄2 Miles

Open–1. Kihei 13:53.03 (Jen Edwards, Sandy Carvalho, Allison Lee, Heather Bell, Suzanne Conlon, Julie Shoup), 2. Kahana 14:00.28, 3. Hawaiian 14:15.79, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 14:56.68, 5. Napili 15:13.27.

Male

Quarter Mile

12A–1. Lahaina 2:04.07 (Shadd Blando, Leo Vehikite, Rieley Holder, Lio Vehikite, Xander Moffett, Kalaeloa Tancayo), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 2:07.92, 3. Hawaiian 2:09.72, 4. Napili 2:14.68, 5. Kihei 2:19.00, 6. Hana 2:19.43. 12B–1. Lae’ula O Kai 2:12.68 (Galen Okamoto, Kaiohu Eleneki-Alves, Makoa Keuma, Kei’shun Malcolm, Russell Villanueva, Jeremiah Duarte), 2. Wailea 2:19.14, 3. Kahana 2:19.50, 4. Hawaiian 2:23.39, 5. Napili 2:23.83, 6. Lahaina 2:25.62, 7. Kihei 2:27.18, 8. Hana 2:48.01. 13–1. Hawaiian 1:53.88 (Dorian Josue, Waikili Chappell, Kilo Namahoe, Kala’e Kaluakini, Drake Breitbach, Ryan Murphy), 2. Napili 1:57.66, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 2:04.77, 4. Kihei 2:16.68, 5. Kahana 2:18.67, 6. Wailea 2:23.65. 14–1. Hawaiian 1:48.74 (Kana’i Fisher, Kaehukai Molitau, Brock Lovell, Nainoa Riglos, Ely Lopez, Jaden Givensel), 2. Napili 1:53.00, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 1:55.35, 4. Kihei 1:59.55, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 2:01.24, 6. Lahaina 2:08.83, 7. Hana 2:13.60.

Half Mile

15–1. Hawaiian 4:04.07 (Landon Kahalehau-Tonga, Ryder Tremble, Aiden Eda, Azur Hookano, Noah Tavares, Ben Wagner), 2. Napili 4:09.12, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 4:29.17, 4. Kihei 4:36.34. 16–1. Hawaiian 4:04.58 (Kayden McKinnon, Makaio Lorenzo, Reilly O’Connor, Makia Lorenzo, Hunter Carpio, Ben Wagner), 2. Wailea 4:16.82, 3. Napili 4:19.25, 4. Kihei 4:26.75, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 4:27.60. 50–1. Napili 3:56.09 (Edwin Maielua, Joe Mateo, Rich Olson, Bill Green, Lee Ishikawa, Timothy Medeiros), 2. Lae’ula O Kai 3:57.72, 3. Hawaiian 3:58.32, 4. Lahaina 4:16.86. 55–1. Hawaiian 3:53.95 (Michael Newbro, Chris Masterson, Ronald Johnston, Dana Souza, Kauhane Luuwai, Matthew Daniells), 2. Kahana 4:29.74. 60–1. Hawaiian 3:57.76 (Tom Guerin, Jerry Jameson, Kevin Ledesma, Paul Beattie, Harold Ferris, Frank Zajac), 2. Kihei 4:19.98, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:22.70, 4. Kahana 4:27.14. 65–1. Hawaiian 4:02.75 (Pia Aluli, Wendall DeVera, Lou Dionese, Lance Cushenberry, Jack Dyson, Biggie Lara), 2. Kihei 4:20.77, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:23.45, 4. Kahana 4:40.51. Novice B–1. Napili 3:54.39 (Alexander Jakubowski, Revatua Kemiche, Rhett Wiseman, Derek Taylor, Kaulana Bongolan, Garrett Turner), 2. Hawaiian 3:56.71, 3. Kahana 4:02.19, 4. Kihei 4:08.85, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 4:26.54. Open Four–1. Wailea 3:56.03 (Kai Bartlett, Tyson Kubo, Tenati Fareea, Joshua Kekupa’a Nae’ole), 2. Napili 4:03.04, 3. Hawaiian 4:12.07, 4. Kahana 4:20.30, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 4:22.91, 6. Lahaina 4:24.59, 7. Kihei 4:27.35, 8. Na Kai Ewalu 4:48.79, 9. Hana 5:16.88.

Mile

18–1. Wailea 7:58.39 (Ho’okele Santos, Rafael Adolpho, Kainalu Kubo, Andrew Kalama, Taimane Keahi, Kelekolio Pacheco), 2. Hawaiian 8:31.17, 3. Napili 8:50.33. 40–1. Wailea 7:49.95 (Felipe Gomes, Pete Gapero Jr, Tyson Kubo, George Dagan, Hide Yoshikawa, Kalani Tancayo), 2. Kihei 8:02.90, 3. Napili 8:24.30, 4. Kahana 8:37.34, 5. Hawaiian 8:38.30. Novice A–1. Hawaiian 8:24.53 (David Bandalan, Brent Toguchi, Chris Masterson, Darwin Tutop, Noah Broderick, Keoki Lovato), 2. Kihei 8:25.44, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 8:42.97, 4. Kahana 9:41.58. Freshman–1. Wailea 7:35.19 (Kevin Dudoit, George Dagan, Stephen Cutillo, Jonas Arcikauskas, Kapena Bugarin, Sean Murphy), 2. Hawaiian 8:02.60, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 8:20.41, 4. Hana 9:29.69. Sophomore–1. Wailea 7:35.66 (Jason Gomes, Nalu Sampson, J.R. Rios, Dane Dudoit, Isaac Bancaco, Kekoa Cramer), 2. Kahana 7:53.43, 3. Napili 8:12.19, 4. Hawaiian 8:18.93, 5. Lae’ula O Kai 8:37.60. Junior–1. Wailea 7:53.93 (Tenati Fareea, Quinn Whitford, Diego Panza, Joshua Kekupa’a Nae’ole, Will Rich, Robert Brede), 2. Kihei 8:02.53, 3. Napili 8:20.02, 4. Hawaiian 8:42.79, 5. Lahaina 8:47.82.

1 1⁄2 Miles

Open–1. Wailea 11:27.24 (Kevin Dudoit, Ho’okele Santos, Kai Bartlett, Felipe Gomes, Dane Dudoit, Kekoa Cramer), 2. Kahana 12:22.38, 3. Hawaiian 12:38.63, 4. Kihei 12:55.37, 5. Napili 13:31.99, 6. Hana 13:42.18, 7. Na Kai Ewalu 13:47.46.

Mixed

Quarter Mile

12–1. Hawaiian 2:05.47 (Kaesha Purdy, Malia-Kala Cosare, Kamahiwa Molitau, Keaton Wagner, Cody Frampton, Maura Smith), 2. Lahaina 2:11.62, 3. Napili 2:12.01, 4. Hana 2:14.90, 5. Wailea 2:18.37, 6. Kihei 2:19.62, 7. Kahana 2:20.44, 8. Na Kai Ewalu 2:21.68, 9. Lae’ula O Kai 2:28.92. Novice B–1. Kahana 1:49.54 (Ricky Yeckley, Kate Mouery, Kelsey Manning, Kyle Mouery, Zach La Prade, Aina Kohler), 2. Hawaiian 1:50.67, 3. Kihei 1:53.91, 4. Na Kai Ewalu 1:54.99, 5. Napili 2:10.48.

Half Mile

15–1. Hawaiian 4:36.31 (Mathew Hoonan, Aiden Eda, Tehani Santos, Jordan Soon, Amber Proctor, Keani Artates-Kahui), 2. Napili 4:41.06, 3. Na Kai Ewalu 4:46.02, 4. Lahaina 4:46.46, 5. Kihei 4:50.78. 40–1. Hawaiian 4:01.43 (Nani Vickers, Keoni Kelly, Mark Soon, Eric Hamp, Dane Ward, Theresa Gerry), 2. Wailea 4:03.65, 3. Kihei 4:17.85, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 4:19.19, 5. Napili 4:29.17, 6. Na Kai Ewalu 4:36.06, 7. Kahana 4:37.11. 55–1. Hawaiian 4:05.06 (Trez Harrisson, Michael Newbro, Matthew Daniells, Lynn Carroll, Jeanette Kaauamo, Kauhane Luuwai), 2. Kihei 4:14.22, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:24.00, 4. Wailea 4:51.69, 5. Napili 4:56.08, 6. Kahana 5:15.40. 60–1. Kihei 4:27.84 (Katy Smith, Mike Strauss, John Kershaw, Stanford Lanias, Gail Wood, Denise Guerin), 2. Hawaiian 4:41.13, 3. Lae’ula O Kai 4:47.90, 4. Wailea 4:51.50, 5. Kahana 5:03.59. 65–1. Hawaiian 4:40.53 (Gracia Neuhart, Jack Dyson, Stephen Payne, Donna Neuhart, Mikki Clark, Harold Ferris), 2. Kihei 4:43.22, 3. Kahana 5:01.36, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 5:24.85. 70–1. Kihei 4:47.12 (Sandy Bell, Wanda Shirreff, Bob Brooks, Richard Ross, Ken Pearsall, Diane Wetzel), 2. Kahana 5:00.81, 3. Hawaiian 5:03.84, 4. Lae’ula O Kai 5:04.85. Open–1. Wailea 3:50.39 (Nalu Sampson, Robin Wainui, Kat Kaufmann, Stephen Cutillo, Marjie Kahookele-Pea, Sean Murphy), 2. Hawaiian 4:04.71, 3. Napili 4:06.82, 4. Kahana 4:13.49, 5. Na Kai Ewalu 4:19.32, 6. Kihei 4:20.81, 7. Lae’ula O Kai 4:21.86, 8. Lahaina 4:53.26.

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