Nov. 3, 2014

Contributed by Pakalani Bello

After finishing second last season, Kamehameha Schools Kapālama junior Kaeo Kruse won the 2014 boy’s individual title, while leading the Warriors to the team title, at the Honolulu Marathon/Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships at Patsy T. Mink/Central O‘ahu Regional Park on Saturday.

This was the third consecutive state title for the KSK boys team and their fifth in the past six years. The Warriors have now won 13 of the last 18 titles since 1997, all under head coach Steve Jenness.

Kruse won the individual title with a time of 15:38.19, besting Kalaheo’s Makai Clemons by nearly 17 seconds on the three-mile course. Teammate Kainalu Asam added a strong fourth-placed finish (16:20.62), while Race Oshiro (14th, 17:09.65), Grant Kam (15th, 17:10.74), Kawika Jacang (29th, 17:45.35), Kanoa Tsujiguchi (93rd, 18:48.02) and Kekoa Ulansey (110th, 19:06.39) rounded out the state championship team. 20014 KSK graduate Davis Ka‘ahanui had won the previous two individual titles.

The KS Kapālama girls team also had an impressive showing, finishing fourth behind Punahou, Kaiser and ‘Iolani.

Mahalo to Greg Yamamoto, ScoringLive.com, for use of the photograph.

Kaeo Kruse finishes the three-mile course in 15:38.19 to take home the 2014 state title.
Credit: Greg Yamamoto, ScoringLive.com