It’s been a rush for Gene Okamura. More particularly, it’s been a season of mad dashes throughout the soccer discipline.
There was one Oct. 27 to rejoice the UH-Hilo ladies’s soccer staff’s 1-0 time beyond regulation victory towards Point Loma, a conquest which helped the Vulcans seize their first Pacific West Conference title.
There was one other March 5 in Honolulu to bask within the glow of Kamehameha’s HHSAA Division II championship, which was clinched in penalty kicks.
Each felt equally good, resulted in some type of a celebratory pile and in some small half introduced any shared values between Okamura’s two champs into clearer focus.
“I think the ability to grind and to persevere,” Okamura mentioned. “Just a pure need to discover a technique to make it occur.
“Both teams were underdogs at the beginning of the season and found ways to stick together.”
He was chosen because the Pacific West Conference coach of the 12 months, and he’s actually within the combine to be honored once more when soccer BIIF soccer awards are launched.
If there have been a Big Island coach of the 12 months award handed out for the 2021-22 college 12 months, Okamura may need wrapped that up as effectively.
Considering the historical past of UHH ladies’s program, it could possibly be argued that the Warriors’ second state title was the lesser of his achievements, although no much less fulfilling. The roots of Kamehameha’s run took form throughout a busy stretch during which the Warriors performed seven matches in 11 days.
“It was rough and so hard to see what kind of quality we had,” he mentioned. “There could be spurts, but it surely was exhausting as a result of there have been so many matches in such a brief span.
“Those seven matches really helped prepare us for the state tournament. Those three matches we played (in Honolulu), there was no easy ones.”
The Warriors hit their stride, he mentioned, in a 4-1 win towards Makua Lani within the BIIF semifinals, earlier than executing their recreation plan and enjoying effectively in a 2-1 loss to Hawaii Prep within the BIIF ultimate.
“I think (the semifinal) was the moment I was like, ‘Oh wow, this group can execute. They can execute the tactics we talk about.”’
Fulfilling a media obligation after the Vulcans have been ousted at their first journey to regionals in November, Okamura ended the interview by saying, “We’ll be back.”
In a method, the Vuls already are. They are present process spring practices and performed the University of Hawaii in a scrimmage on the identical day Kamehameha beat Seabury Hall to win the state title.
His newest Division I switch gem could possibly be Teani Arakawa, a Maui native who scored 5 objectives as a freshman for South Dakota State in 2021 earlier than opting to maneuver right down to D-II and signal with the Vulcans.
“She going to be big-time for us,” Okamura mentioned.
That similar adjective could possibly be used to explain Kamehameha’s potential.
The Warriors lose 5 seniors, together with three who began within the state ultimate. (Havelu Haunga scored a aim within the state semifinal that was credited to a different participant).
The incoming senior class is about to incorporate the ever-dangerous Elijah Dinkel, who led Kamehameha with 20 objectives, and one other key contributor in Po Roback.
Dinkel and Roback every have been chosen to participate within the penalty kick within the state ultimate, however contemplate that the rest of of Kamehameha contributors chosen by Okamura have been underclassmen: Freshmen Everton Kuamoo and Will Anderson and sophomore Lucas Kay Wong transformed their PKs, and freshman Jacob Aiona held robust in aim.
Kamehameha, Okamura mentioned, is making the most of a powerful feeder system offered by East Hawaii golf equipment groups. The similar membership pipeline additionally helped gas historic runs by the Hilo High’s boys and Waiakea’s women.
“The club scene has increased the level of play,” Okamura mentioned. “Looking on the youngsters in highschool, extra so the junior class, sophomores and freshmen … all these youngsters began membership once they have been 6 or 7 years outdated.
“It’s a testament, for sure, to the clubs and their development in these players.”
