Athletes In Sabers Stock Make Track & Field Team Richer

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There’s no rule in the Oahu Interscholastic Association that keeps a coach from recruiting among his own. Indeed, when Campbell football assistant Wyatt Tau was considering taking over the track and field program at the school last winter, he put the word out among the football team to gauge the interest level.

The response was overwhelming, as the Sabers drew 118 kids the first day of try-outs, including a large number of football players. More than three months later, Tau expects anywhere from 14 to 18 members from both his Campbell boys’ and girls’ teams to take part in this weekend’s Island Movers State Track and Field Championships at Kea’au High School on the Big Island.

“We had a rule that you couldn’t miss more than two practices (in six days) and still be in the meet. The kids bought in, and we were able to have 60 to 70 kids in every meet.”

None is bigger than this week’s state meet, of course, which will feature competitors from all Islands. Tau was hopeful that each athlete to qualify would in fact be able to participate this weekend, although travel costs had to be absorbed by parents and supporters of the program because of budget issues throughout the OIA.

While Tau wasn’t to know for sure until Tuesday who would qualify for the state meet, several already had guaranteed slots prior to last week, including sprinter Samson Anguay, a standout on the football field the past two seasons.

Although he had never run track and field until this spring, Anguay was high on Tau’s wish list when he set about building a team. Anguay restored his coach’s faith by recently finishing first in the OIA in the 100-meter dash and teaming up with Daniel Masifilo, Arthur Aiwohi and Timothy Friend to help deliver a first-place finish in the 4x100 as well. The foursome will participate at this weekend’s state meet.

“I was surprised this was his first time running track because he’s so fast. His work ethic is just unbelievable. He really works hard.”

Injuries had hampered the Sabers’ 4x100 team this season with Anguay and Masifilo out for a time, but they were approaching 100 percent late last week, according to Tau.

“Their chemistry has been getting better throughout the season, and now they’re all able to run the leg that they’re supposed to run,” he said. “With the relay teams, it depends on the handoff.”

Senior Zach Manuel also qualified in the triple jump for Campbell and drew praise from his coach for his work ethic.

“He’s competitive,” Tau said of Manuel. “Every jump is a personal record to him.”

In distance runner Christian Putegnat’s case, the state meet offers something of a second chance. He finished third in the 1,500-meter run and fifth in the 3,000 at the State Track and Field Championships last year and has been one of the state’s best runners this spring before an illness prevented him from competing in both the 800 and 3,000-meter runs at the overall OIA championships nearly two weeks ago.

“He was disappointed - it was the first time I’d seen him not be able to compete,” Tau said. “The good thing is that he has another chance. With his work ethic, he has a chance to do well.”

Pugtegnat also will be part of Campbell’s 4x400 relay team, which is led in part by up-and-coming junior Trey-Alan Bantolina. Tau was hoping they would make the cut when pairings were finalized.

In the girls’ division, senior Adriama Lui qualified in both the high jump and long jump. She will also join up with Keani Sebala, Josianne Achiu and Allxzandra Pasion on the Sabers’ 4x100 team.

Tau also has high hopes for junior Brianna Palamara and sophomore Charlene Valeriano in the shot put and 3,000-meter run, respectively. Valeriano began her season with the junior varsity and was moved up in time to the varsity to qualify for the state meet. Palamara is in her first year of track and is being tutored by assistant coach Joan Gago, who still owns the state record, which she set in her senior year at Campbell in 1981.

“Coach Joan is very disciplined, and she’s worked very hard with Brianna. She wished Brianna had come out (for track) a lot earlier.”

Gago is part of a seasoned coaching staff that also includes Wes Pacheco, Jody Bantolina, Arturo Morales, Keri Koegel, Nick Tiqui, Ekatati Niko, Bob Long and Schnelle Smith.

“They’ve done a great job with the kids,” said Tau.