KS Maui varsity cheerleaders took home the gold at the Zippy’s Hawaii High School Athletic Association Cheerleading Championship on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at the Neil Blaisdell Arena.

“Winning the MIL title was incredible, but winning the state championship is indescribable!” junior Hali’a Kekuewa said. Kekuewa is a co-captain on the team, along with senior Jocelyn Aipa.

This was the first-ever state championship win for the team.

The team consists of 11 members:
Senior: Jocelyn Aipa
Juniors: Moana Astronomo, Kale’a Borling, Acacia Coloma-Mariano, Rachel Kaulupali, Hali’a Kekuewa and Jessica Walker
Sophomores: Chaston Abut, Hannah Patrick and Ashlee Sawai
Freshman Kayla Sniffen.

Ms. Ann Saffery and Mr. Keali’i Molina are the coaches.

KSM took the stage at around 3:00 p.m. as many took their seats at the arena, as well as at home. OC16 aired the entire competition.

“They left their God-given talent out there on the mat for all of Hawai’i to see and enjoy,” Coach Saffery said.

HHSAA State Cheerleading Competition Medium Division Results:

KS Maui     348.75
Pac-Five    344.25
Moanalua 343.50
Punahou   333.25
Baldwin     329.50
Waimea     323.75
Kalaheo     314
Leilehua    308.25
Waiakea     306.5
Kea’au         297.25
Roosevelt  283.5
Pearl City   280
Farrington 279

Radford High School won the Large Division with a score of 340.75, eight points behind the Maui Warriors, making Kamehameha Maui’s cheer team the unofficial overall winners as well.

This was only the second time in history that an outer island team was crowned with the championship.

All of Kamehameha Maui met in the high school gymnasium on Monday, Nov. 18, to celebrate by watching the KSM competition number and announcement of winners, listen to speeches, cheer the team’s achievement with a group “chee-hoo,” and munch on ice cream drumsticks when it was all over.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Photo by courtesy of Lokelani Patrick

The Kamehameha Schools Maui varsity cheerleaders show off their state championship trophy with coaches Ann Saffery and Keali'i Molina at the Neil Blaisdell Arena, Nov. 17, 2013.