Keiki Athletes

Send pictures of your young sports stars to bmossman@midweek.com. Please provide first and last names of athletes pictured, their ages, the communities they’re from and any information about the event or league they’re participating in.

Aukahi Volleyball Club’s 13U team is digging the silver medal it won at the 2022 USA Volleyball Aloha Region Spring Break Madness Tournament. Members of the squad are (front, from left) Ava Thomas, Kala‘e Stephens Amaya Shimabukuro, (middle) Gabrielle Samson, Ailah Hernandez, Taitlynn-Mia Navarro, Kwyn Greig, (back) Sierra Lee, Sydney Matsuda, Kawai McComber, Allie Tom and Maiya Beltran. PHOTO COURTESY JEPTHA

The sister-brother duo of Olivia and William Reed soared at last spring’s HHSSA Track & Field Championship at Kamehameha Schools. Olivia, a recent St. Andrew’s Priory graduate who’ll be attending the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School, West Point, in the fall, ran off with first-place finishes in the 100- and 200-meter events, as well in the long jump competition. Meanwhile, William reached new heights in the boys high jump event by leaping 6 feet 4 inches and taking home top honors. William will be a senior at Saint Louis School. PHOTO COURTESY TAM-MALONE REED

Perfection happened last month for the 8U Heroes Avengers team, which won the Gridiron Football title with a spotless 9-0 record. The victorious players, all ages 8 and 9, and coaches are (front, from left) Dason Cambra, Adrian Sturm, Jayzen Benedicto, Liam Alison and Anaiya-Jade Grey, (back) coach Charleston Alison, Shawn Jones, Zacestyn Le, Tautai Smith, Jah Duropan and coach Jordan Patterson. Not pictured is Major Manning. PHOTO COURTESY CHARLESTON ALISON

With proud parents Jonah and Porsche PeBenito cheering her on, 15-year-old Genesis PeBenito captured gold as a Level 10 Junior Olympic Gymnast at the 2022 San Diego Classic. The youngster took home silver in balance beam, bronze in uneven bars and gold in floor exercise. She was also named all-around champion. PHOTO COURTESY PORSCHE PEBENITO

It was a shaka-worthy outing for 8-year-old Russell Augustine, 12-year-old Kingston Yapswindler and 10-year-old Isiah Yap, who participated in this year’s Youth Impact Program at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. There, Rainbow Warrior football players helped youngsters learn valuable skills that foster character development and academic success. Joining them following their camp experience is 2-year-old Journey Augustine.
PHOTO COURTESY TIFFANY YAP