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Seven MPI runners in state championships

MPI’s Scott Motobu captured 14th place and Mallory Kurosumi finished 22nd in
their respective varsity divisions at the Hawaii High School Athletic
Association’s 2006 Cross Country Championships at Central Oahu Regional Park
on Nov. 10, 2006. The boys and girls divisions each included a field of
nearly 200 runners from public and private schools across the state.

Senior Mallory Kurosumi placed 22nd at the state
championships.

Sophomore Scott Motobu dashes to the finish line enroute to
14th place at the state championships.

Photos and article by Randy Obata

Motobu, who completed the three-mile course in 17:29.5 minutes, was
recognized at the meet’s awards ceremony, which honored the top 20
individual boys and girls varsity runners in the state. His 14th place
finish was the best showing by an MPI runner at the state championships in
recent years. Kurosumi ran the three-mile course in 21:10.5 minutes.

In team competition, MPI’s boys varsity scoring team consisted of Motobu,
Donovan Goto, Rick Goto, Philip Hong, and CJ Obata. They combined for 297
points and finished in 12th place out of 20 scoring teams in the statewide
event. The team's finish was an improvement over last year’s 14th place
showing at the state championships on Kauai and signaled the continued
growth of MPI’s revived cross country program, which is only in its third
season.

MPI’s Kelsie-Ann Mita also qualified for the girls varsity championships,
and finished 89th.

MPI’s seven runners gained entry into the state championships after posting
qualifying times a week earlier at the ILH Cross Country Championships.

Posted at November 13, 2006 9:12 AM | Permalink