HHSAA CROSS COUNTRY: Leilehua, Punahou cross country state champions

Leilehua junior Bryce Jenkins won his second-straight individual title with a time of 16:07.97, and led the way for the Mules to a state championship crown in the 2007 Honolulu Marathon/HHSAA cross country state championships in Kapalua, Maui.  It is the first Oahu Interscholastic Association team championship in 25 years, last being Radford in 1982.  Since then, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu has had a stronghold on the state title, claiming the last 18-straight boys titles.

Jenkins beat his previous state championship time by 15.35 seconds.  The next closest runner was teammate Paul Williams who crossed the finish line some 30 seconds later.  All five Leilehua runners, which make up a team, finished in the top 16 in team competition to record a score of 37.  

The Kamehameha-Kapalama boys finished second with a score of 99, followed by Iolani in third with 116.

In the girls’ race, Mililani sophomore Kristin Ali Keith crossed the finish line at 19:31.55 to earn the gold medal.  She was followed by La Pietra junior Haley Abing (19:41.80) and King Kekaulike junior Bailey Massenburg (19:55.20).  

The Punahou girls team claimed the team title with a score of 64.  Their top finisher, senior Kristi Torkildson finished sixth in team competition but was ninth individually.  All five members of the Punahou team finished in the top 17 to earn medals.

Finishing in a close second was Seabury Hall of the Maui Interscholastic league with a team score of 72.  Sophomore Hailey Grossman led the Spartans with a time of 20:19.55 to finish forth in team competition and fifth individually.