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Talented Trojans To Run In Honolulu Marathon Invitational

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Mililani senior Cameron Daugherty hoists himself high off the ground during a pole vault competition. Photo by Byron Lee, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Every Mililani boys track and field team begins the season with a clean slate, but having a winning tradition to fall back on really helps a team develop its competitive edge.

“I use it (past successes) as a motivating factor,” head coach Marshall Ochi said. “I never want our kids to think we’re king of the mountain, so to speak. We remind them on a daily basis that there are a lot of talented teams out there and that we have to continuously work hard.”

The Trojans are after their third OIA title in four years, having won last year and in 2005 under Ochi’s predecessor, Chad Miyamoto. Ochi had announced he was stepping down after last season to spend more time with family, but with the season approaching and a successor not yet in place, he postponed it for a year. Despite the uncertainty and a late start on spring work-outs, the team appears on schedule for yet another stellar season.

The Trojans travel to Kaiser in Hawaii Kai Friday to run in the all-important Honolulu Marathon Invitational, where they’ll compete with teams from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Although schools from the neighbor islands won’t be there, the presence of ILH schools should serve to make the event something of a dress rehearsal for next month’s state track and field championships.

“It’s a good chance for the top athletes from the OIA to see the top athletes from the ILH,” he said. “It’s the first chance for us to see each other in person, and it’s always fun to gauge where you’re at and see where the Punahous and Kamehamehas are at.”

The Kaiser marathon also will be Mililani’s last event before the OIA Championship Trials and Finals, which are May 1 and 3, respectively.

Mililani finished fourth in the state behind Punahou, Kamehameha and third-place Baldwin last spring, and its strong showing was a driving force in the off-season for the holdovers from that team.

“They know how close we were,” Ochi said. “They’ve all bought into the fact that we could make another run at a championship.”

Senior Cameron Daugherty is one veteran hoping for a strong finish. He was second in the state last year in the pole vault and has added the long jump to his repertoire this season.

“With limited attempts, because he’s concentrating on the pole vault, he’s been very successful at it,” Ochi said. “He’s very goal-oriented. He wanted to build on last year, and he’s picking up where he left off. What he brings to the team is a really, really good attitude. His first goal was to win every competition, and his second was to set as many records as he could.”

Daugherty has committed to attend Division II Slippery Rock next fall on a track scholarship, and was expected to challenge the OIA West record of 13"8 at the Western Division Championships last weekend, having recorded a 14"2 earlier.

The Trojans also boast stand-outs in Fred Culp, Kelsey Gratz, Kawika Ornellas and Taz Stevenson. Senior Ornellas won the OIA in the 100-meter dash last spring, and is currently running in the 200-meter dash and two relays.

“He worked really hard this off-season and progressed much faster than we’d anticipated, which is a pleasant thing for a coach,” Ochi said. “He’s a quiet leader, but he’s definitely one to show you what he can do.”

Culp, a junior, is also on both relay teams, while his prowess in both the 200 and 400 meters has earned the praise of his coach.

“He’s a fierce competitor with a bulldog attitude, which is what you need to succeed as a 400-meter runner. He’s one of the few athletes I’ve been around who enjoys the pain of a 400. The experience he received last year really helped him.”

Although just a sophomore, Stevenson is already well-known in OIA circles for his game-breaking exploits on the football field last fall as a wide receiver and kick returner. He’s currently running on both relay teams in addition to the 100 and 200.

“He has unlimited potential, athletically, and you can see it in every race. He has a bright future in football, and the strides he’s making in track can only help him.”

In the 1500 and 3000 meter runs, they have relied on Gratz, a senior, who hopes to qualify for states a second straight time. “He’s an invaluable member of our team. His work ethic is undeniable; and he’s brought himself to a level where he’s a leader of our team.”

For his part, Ochi has benefitted from his support staff of Shawn Nakamine and Dane Matsunaga, both former head coaches at the school.

“Having them both around a few times during the week has really helped, and I have the most understanding wife in the world.”