HHSAA AIR RIFLERY: Clarissa Akana Hits Historic Target

By Kyle Galdeira

Sacred Hearts senior Clarissa Akana became the first shooter in Hawaii history to repeat as an individual champion by claiming gold today at the 11th annual Civilian Marksmanship Program/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Air Riflery State Championships at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall.

Akana’s Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship squad also claimed team gold, accumulating a record 2130.63 points to finish ahead of defending champion Punahou (2106.44) and Waiakea (2005.33).

Participants competed from three positions—prone, standing and kneeling—and attempted to shoot a target with a bulls eye spanning 0.5 centimeters in diameter from 10 meters away. Each school team was composed of four shooters and their scores were added to determine the team crowns.

“It’s amazing, the whole season was a preparation for today,” said Akana after posting the highest score of the day with 548.20 points. “It took a lot of practice, and I needed to repeat what I’ve been doing all year. It feels great to be able to take home a championship for the school.”

Punahou’s Christie Obatake finished second with 542.14 points followed by Akana’s teammate Cecilia Wong (538.17 points).

The Buffanblu captured their fifth consecutive boys team title, amassing 2039.36 points while holding off ILH champion Saint Louis (2015.26 Points) and Waiakea (2001.32 points).