Grossman, Kaahanui top local finishers at Iolani XC


Seabury Hall's Dakota Grossman and Kamehameha's Davis Kaahanui were the top local finishers at Friday's Iolani Cross Country Invitational.

Grossman, the two-time state girls champion, finished the 3-mile course at Kualoa Ranch in 18 minutes, 56 seconds. The junior placed third behind winner and freshman Mikayla Sodersten of Clovis (Calif.), who finished in 18:27. Sophomore Cassidy Webber of Palos Verdes (Calif.) was second in 18:53.

Grossman, who has distanced herself far from Maui Interscholastic League competition, had her request to compete in MIL boys races denied by the league's athletic directors. This meet served as an opportunity to run alongside competitors.

Hii Ellis of Kamehameha was eighth in 20:00 and Elli Brady of Punahou was ninth in 20:04. Local runners in the top 20 were Iolani's Amanda Beaman (11th, 20:09), Punahou's Teri Brady (13th, 20:16), Mid-Pacific's Alice Liggett (18th, 20:28), and Kamehameha's Kai Hoshijo (19th, 20:30).

Palos Verdes won with 61 points and Dana Hills (Calif.) was second with 72. Punahou was the top local team, placing fourth with 99 points.

Palos Verdes won the boys race with 26 points, followed by Clovis (55) and Punahou (113). Danny Salters of Northgate (Calif.) won the 3-mile race in 16:00 and Ryland Dreibelbis of Palos Verdes was second in 16:12.

Kamehameha's Kaahanui was the top local finisher, placing sixth in 16:30. Leilehua's Dylan Martinez was 11th in 16:49 and Kauai's Joshua Herr was 13th in 16:51. Other local runners in the top 20 were Punahou's Jacques Herbert (14th, 16:54), Leilehua's Christopher Olverson (16th, 17:01), and Kamehameha's Charles Akiona (19th, 17:12).

Meet results are online at http://hi.milesplit.com/meets/124030-14th-annual-iolani-cross-country-invitational