Chargers Keep Sights On OIA Riflery Championship
By Jack Danilewicz
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Part of competing at the highest level is getting to the right place in one’s mind. On that note, Pearl City air riflery coach Les Aranaydo hasn’t had to worry much about his team’s self-preparation this season. Both his boys and girls teams are what you might refer to as “low maintenance.”
“They work hard, and they practice hard,” Aranaydo said. “Most have been with me for so long that I mostly make observations now and talk to them a little.”
The Chargers enter Saturday’s OIA championships as not only the host school but a clear-cut favorite in the boys division, based on regular-season figures. Pearl City is seeking a fifth consecutive OIA title. The Charger girls are looking for their first OIA title since 2006 and will likely play Kalani in the final on Saturday, if all goes according to script. Both of Pearl City’s air riflery teams went undefeated at 7-0 during the regular season.
Much is on the line individually as well this weekend.Senior Lelan Aranaydo, the coach’s son, is the only four-year qualifier for the state tournament in the state and is looking to capture an OIA individual title this weekend after averaging an OIA-best 260.85 during the regular season.Although not yet officially confirmed, his score of 276 versus Waianae on Oct.4 is believed to be an OIA record.
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“He’s been shooting since the time he was born, so his experience in shooting (is his strength),” Les Aranaydo said of Lelan, who finished eighth and seventh in the state during his junior and sophomore seasons, respectively.“He’s able to analyze and correct things now,and he doesn’t force a shot.”
Senior leadership is abundant on both teams with six four-year players having already qualified for the Civilian Marksmanship Program Air Riflery (State) Championships, which will take place Oct. 28 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. The boys team also has four-year players in Andrew Yamada (247),Warren Ramiscal (245) and Derrick Shigemura (238).
In the girls division, seniors Norah Nguyen (243.7) and Kryssa Isobe (236.5) and juniors Jazmyne Tanabe (232.4) and Allisyn Vega (232.4) all have qualified for the state finals with solid seasons.
“They know the skills and the technique, but you have to be physically and mentally prepared. You have to be disciplined, focused and able to concentrate, and you have to be able to mentally recover from a bad shot, which is where discipline comes in.”
Saturday’s OIA championships at Pearl City begin at 8:30 a.m. with both its boys and girls teams taking part in semifinal matches. The championships round should begin around 1 p.m.
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