By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
WAIMEA ” After 15 years of no success, yesterday was literally a dream come true for Coach Mac Pigott and his Westside Wrestling Club.
The group, along with its many helpers, made history at Waimea High School’s gym, by starting up the first-ever wrestling tournament on Kaua’i.
“This is my field of dreams. I’ve been wanting this since about 15 years ago and I can’t describe how happy I am for the kids and the club, “Pigott said.
The group of around 20 wrestlers arrived in Menehune land ready to kick off the first event of its kind on the island.
With the help of Pat Garcia and Sam Silva, both coaches on O’ahu and USA Wrestling sanctioned referees, the contingent of wrestlers from Kaua’i and some from the outer islands, received tips and advice in a short clinic, before hitting the mats for the “real “action.
“It warms my heart to see this opportunity. I’m so thankful to all the people that have helped us out, “Pigott noted.
Among others, Pastor James Merritt of the Waimea Baptist Church provided the club with a place to hone their skills.
Pigott also mentioned that Waimea High School principal Bill Arakaki and athletic director Jon Kobayashi were both gracious in letting the club utilize their gym.
“The kids love it, you can see it in their eyes and their smiles. This is just another opportunity for them to earn college scholarships, “Pigott said.
The Kaua’i Police Activities League (K-PAL), along with the Westside Wrestling Club spearheaded the movement for the sport to be adopted by the KIF.
According to Pigott, their efforts should be enough because he said that wrestling will become a high school sport by the next school year (2006-07).
“It was our goal from the start and I’m just so happy for the kids who will be able to wrestle at the high school level, “Pigott said.
“This is a community that didn’t have wrestling and it’s just a matter of time when the sport will become huge on this island, “Pigott noted.
He also said that there are olympic-caliber wrestlers out there and we just have to provide them with a place to maximize their potential.
“We just need more clubs. We’re here to help kids reach their goals, “Pigott said.
“I’ve been trying for 15 years to bring wrestling here and this tournament just tops it all off for me, “Pigott said with a big smile.
The pretty-good sized crowd also got to see one of Kaua’i’s top MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighters in Eben Kaneshiro, who put up two good fights against seasoned wrestlers. Westside’s Jojo Utrillo came out on top of the first match and in the second contest, an exhibition, Westside’s Brandon Livingston overmatched Kaneshiro for the win.
Big winners at the event included Rainbow Wrestling’s Teniya Alo, who picked up the gold medal in the 8-and-under 45 lbs. and 60 lbs. divisions. Hi’ilei Alabilla and Sean Holzman, both of Westside Wrestling, picked up silver medals, right behind Alo.
Alisha Tiliaia of Waikele Wrestling won the 8-and-under 90 lbs. contest over Westside’s Lennox “Bulla “Alo.
The Joyce Brothers, John (9-10, 80 lbs.) and David (9-10, 50 lbs.) of Westside Wrestling were golden with a first-place finish in their respective divisions.
Dakota “Da Tiger “Kreutzer (9-10, 50 lbs.) and Latisha Alo (9-10, 80 lbs.) of Westside finished up with silver medals. Stennett Alapa (9-10, 50 lbs.) and Pi’ilani Alaibilla (9-10, 80 lbs.) of Westside brought home bronze medals.
Westside’s Mathew Holzman and Jewel Jervis picked up the gold and silver medals in the 11-12 115 lbs. division.
In the 13-14, 126 lbs. contest, it was all Westside Wrestling, as Chris Kaiakapu stole the show with a gold medal, followed by Kalegrace Lattiere, Evan Hurd, and Peter Joyce.
Daniel Quinlan and David Greenslade of Westside took the two top medals in the 13-14 130 lbs. competition.
Malosi Alapa and Cole Burton of Westside also took the gold and silver medals in the 13-14 150 lbs. division.
In the open 140 lbs. contest, Pigott managed to outwit K-PAL Wrestling’s Michael Thompson for the gold medal.
Livingston was golden in the open heavyweight division, over teammate Tala Alo.
For more information about wrestling on the island, contact Coach Mac at 337-1760 or 639-8858.
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