Leone Lions new ASHSAA wrestling champs for 2011-2012
The 2011-2012 American Samoa High School Athletic Association (ASHSAA) wrestling season concluded last Saturday at Samoana High School with their championships, that saw the reign of the ‘Warrior’ come to an end. The new ASHSAA wrestling champions, the Leone Lions, led by head coach Zena Iese, were able to walk away with this year’s championships, as they won in convincing style, with the nearest team (2nd place Nu’uuli Voc-Tech Wildcats), 20 points behind.
In a season that saw the Tafuna Warriors and the Faga’itua Vikings finishing every regular season tournament 1st (THS) and 2nd (FHS), the Lions knew they had to work extra hard to pull out the victory. Apparently, the strategy game that head coach Iese played by — resting certain wrestlers during the regular season — paid off, as his Lions walked away as this year’s champs.
Voc-Tech who usually finished in the middle of the pack during the regular season and stumbled during the last regular season tournament on Saturday, Feb.18, making everyone think that they were not ready for the championships, stepped it up one notch and were able to take 2nd place in the end. The Kanana Fou stallions stayed true to form, as they once again finished in the middle of the pack by placing 4th.
The surprise of the championship day was no doubt when the Tafuna Warriors (3rd) and Faga’itua Vikings (5th) finished the day at their worst ranking during the whole season, which came at the wrong time for both of these teams.
The Samoana Sharks who finished out the regular season on a high note, by placing 2nd during the last tournament before the championships, was not able to capitalize on their new found success, as they finished 6th overall.
The Sharks struggled early in the regular season due to their lack of wrestlers in the lighter weight classes; however, the Sharks were overall winners in the girls division, ending the girls season on a high note. The other two teams in the girls division were Tafuna who took 2nd place, while Leone placed 3rd.
In the boys division, the last place team was the South Pacific Academy Dolphins who finished out the season at 7th, even with undefeated wrestler Sione Lui who competed in the 145lb class.
The head of the American Samoa Wrestling Association (ASWA) Ethan Lake commented on the success of the 2011-2012 season.
“This year went great. Every team did an outstanding job. Special congratulations go out to all of the champions. I want to thank all of the coaches for a great season. I also want to thank Samoana High School for hosting the championships. Special thanks to OCIA/DOE athletics for sponsoring the first and second place team trophies. This season was fantastic. Hopefully the sport will keep growing here in American Samoa and especially in the schools,” said Lake.
Boys Team points and placing for the 2011-2012 ASHSAA Wrestling Championships:
Champions: Leone Lions 83
Runner Up: Nu’uuli Voc-Tech Wildcats 63
3rd: Tafuna Warriors 53
4th: Kanana Fou Stallions 52
5th: Faga’itua Vikings 44
6th: Samoana Sharks 32
7th: South Pacific Academy Dolphins 14
Boys Overall Individual Champions in each weight class for the 2011-2012 ASHSAA Wrestling Championships:
92lbs: Vili Feagaimalii-Nu’uuli Voc-Tech
101lbs: Niles Tuamoheloa-Nu’uuli Voc-Tech
110lbs: Nolan Tuamoheloa-Nu’uuli Voc-Tech
119lbs: John Scanaln-Kanana Fou
128lbs: Iafeta Vou-Leone
139lbs: Cavey Tupai-Leone
145lbs: Sione Lui-South Pacific Academy
152lbs: Shane Meredith-Tafuna
163lbs: Bruce Scanlan-Kanana Fou
167lbs: Semi Tuineau-Leone
187lbs: Greg Sinapola-Samoana
220lbs: Stephan Sialega-Faga’itua
264lbs: Daniel Etuale: Nu’uuli Voc-Tech
UNLIMITED: Alexander Elenio-Tafuna
Boys Most Outstanding Wrestler 2011-2012 ASHSAA Wrestling Season:
Alexander Elenio-Tafuna
Girls Team points and placing for the 2011-2012 ASHSAA Wrestling Championships:
Champions: Samoana Sharks 45
Runner Up: Tafuna Warriors 28
3rd: Leone Lions 24