Takai repeats state title

Lin Meyers, Sports
February 28, 2023

Junior Hailey Takai sits on the diving board at the Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center where she won the Oahu Interscholastic Athletic (OIA) diving championships on Saturday, Feb. 4. Takai returned to diving this season as the 2021-2022 Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Meet (HHSAA) winner and successfully defended her title on Saturday, Feb. 11. Throughout the 2022-2023 season, Takai secured all three big wins: Eastern Championships, OIA Championship, and the HHSAA State Meet for diving. At OIA Champs, Takai smashed the diving record with a score of 510.80 points. At the HHSAA State Diving Meet, Takai led the pack with a score of 444.50 and finished 20.5 points ahead of second place. Aside from diving, Takai also excelled in the swimming concept. She placed sixth in the 200 Medley Relay and seventh in the 400 Free Relay at the HHSAA Championships. (Lin Meyers)