Kamehameha's Kruse, Iolani's Beaman win state cross country


Kamehameha's Kaeo Kruse and Iolani's Amanda Beaman won medalist honors at the Honolulu Marathon/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Cross Country State Championships Saturday morning in Makawao, Maui.

The three-mile race was held on the campus of Seabury Hall for the first time in meet history.

Kruse successfully defended his state title, easily winning in a time of 15 minutes, 22.2 seconds. Waiakea's Louie Ondo was the runner-up (16:15.1), improving upon his third-place finish in 2014, and Punahou's Connor Lehl was third (16:21.7) after coming in fifth last year. Kalaheo's Avery Torres (16:28.0) and Iolani's Royce Garcia (16:41.0) rounded out the top five.

Iolani won the team title for the first time since 2005 with 79 points, staving off fellow-Interscholastic League of Honolulu members Punahou (100) and Kamehameha (105). The Warriors had won three straight state championships and five of the last six. It was the Raiders' third state crown in school history, all of them coming since 2003.

Beaman won her first state title in a time of 18:26.7, holding off the Punahou duo of Teresa Brady (18:43.9) and Noelani Obermeyer (18:45.3). She was the runner-up in each of the past two state meets.

Seabury Hall's Ava Shipman (18:59.7) and Kamehameha's Hennessey Ellis (19:01.7) rounded out the top five.

The Buffanblu ran away with the team championship, scoring just 46 points. Runner-up Seabury Hall (104) and Iolani (108) were well behind. It is their record 27th title and fourth straight. They have won 10 of the last 11 state meets.

» Final Results (PDF)