La Luna gymnasts going to Junior Olympics

Seven rhythmic gymnasts from Lahaina-based La Luna Academy qualified for the Junior Olympic Championships with strong showings at the Region 2 Championships, held last weekend in Seattle.

Nearly 200 competitors from across the region took part in the event.

La Luna had two groups qualify for the Junior Olympics — the beginner group of Emi Burman, Anella Pitts and Marley Hooper, and the intermediate group of Grace Devane, Devyn Gruber, Noelani Ligienza, Sofia Mallari and Hooper.

At level 7 junior B, Ligienza won the all-around title with a total score of 43.850. It was a clean sweep for Ligienza, who placed first in each event (floor, hoop, ball, clubs). Gruber, competing in the same division, placed 15th (27.550).

At level 6 junior A 2007, Mallari took second (45.100) and Hooper finished third (43.400), while at level 6 junior A 2008, Burman placed fourth (38.800).

At level 5 junior A, La Luna’s Isabel Meadows was the runner-up (41.700) while Pitts placed sixth (36.000) and Sophia Meadows ninth (33.000). At level 5 junior B, Alyssa Arango was third (31.800).

At level 4, 2009 child C, Alana Peck was third (22.900) and Camila Pineda-Rodriguez placed sixth (19.800), while at level 4 2012 child B, Mia Bornios claimed third (20.900).

Also competing in the event were gymnasts from Wailuku-based Laniakea Academy. At level 7 junior A, Elizabeth Bortz placed 10th (32.600); at level 5 senior, Ava Macdonald won as the lone competitor (29.200); at level 5 2009 child C, Tahlia Cuthbertson was fifth (35.100); at level 4, 2007 junior A, Maile Vanpoucke was second (27.800); at level 4 2010 child C, Lucia Romero placed eighth (16.000); and at level 4 2012 child B, Evie Stocks took fourth (19.600).

Bortz and Cuthbertson also placed first in beginner group duet (19.300).

In addition, La Luna coach Sue Martin was named Coach of the Year for group.

The Junior Olympic Championships are scheduled for May 29-June 2 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

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Maui wrestlers have top finishes in Vegas

Several wrestlers from Maui competed in the Marines Western Regional Championships from April 24-28 in Las Vegas, with three earning first-place finishes.

Over 4,200 wrestlers from across the country participated in the event.

Nanea Estrella, a three-time state champion for Lahainaluna High School, won the high school women 127-pound division in both greco and freestyle.

Also picking up two wins was Jahlia Miguel, who competed in girls 12U. She won the 114-125 folkstyle crown as well as the 118-127 freestyle title. She placed second at 118-127 in greco.

Cary Valdez went unopposed to win the girls 9U 45 greco title. She also placed second in freestyle and third in folkstyle (44).

A pair of high school state champions picked up second-place finishes. Kamehameha Maui’s Darius Mynar won a folkstyle silver in the junior 16U 192-211 division, and then another one at junior 195 in freestyle. Baldwin’s Tianna Fernandez placed second in high school women 106 freestyle.

Other top finishers included Kayce Dudoit (girls middle school, 87-100), who placed second in folkstyle and greco, and fourth in freestyle; Shylah Bridges (girls 12U, 114-125), who took third in folkstyle, greco and freestyle; and Brody Malott (8U, 70), who was fourth in freestyle.