The end of the season has come for many fall sports, and Kaiser has seen a successful season for its air riflery teams. The boys’ team ended the season with a 7-1 record, and girls with 6-1, placing Kaiser well in the East ranks. Many of its shooters will be fortunate enough to go on to the regional tournament, hosted by the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) this October 25th.
Kaiser’s air riflery team saw a successful season, boys ending with 7-1 girls with 6-1. Due to the selective nature of the OIA tournament, only the top 36 shooters on the island are able to compete. Kaiser’s qualifiers were moved down in the ranks on the official lineup, meaning that more players are able to compete for the tournament.
From Kaiser’s air riflery team, nine boys and three girls will be representing: On the boys team, Reef Tolosa, Gavin Knopp, Eason Lau, Ian Neely, Jack Izumihara, Shayan Jalili-Kamalian, Kecheng Long, and Kai Taniguchi will be participating in the OIA tournament, with Chase Anderson as an alternate. For the girls team, Lauren Mei Chun will be participating. Zoe Fernandez and Kalakona Kauhane will be first and second alternates.
“[The season] was amazing- Of course, every year I say that. And, every year I’m amazed at how much more amazing we can get.” Head Coach Ann Olson expresses her admiration for the team, remarking that “The team progressed quickly this year, and I believe they were more engaged than previous years”.
Along with the other coaches, Coach James and Coach Kellen, Olson worked to try a number of new activities this year, such as different drills. She believes that the coaches’ integration of new videos, presentations and exercises to keep her team engaged is what’s behind the success.
The OIA tournament will determine who moves on to qualify for the Air Riflery State Championships, and will take place in Kaiser’s very own gym on the 25th of October – just three weeks after the end of the regular Air Riflery season. “Yes! As always, it’s a great time for the school and the community to see, having a tournament right here on [our] own turf. I’m excited to have the younger shooters see a tournament, with the advantage of their own turf. but, no guarantees.” This is the first time Kaiser will be hosting the event since 2021, and Olson is confident that her OIA shooters will succeed.
In her words, “Kaiser high school has a- not a reputation, but, they hold themselves to a standard with tournaments- especially with states. States [are] a big prize for [us]. I think they will do very well.”
State championships will take place on November 4th, 2025, at the Neal Blaidell center. In the meantime, Kaiser’s OIA participants are training in preparation. Despite the OIA being pushed back, it’s a blessing in disguise– if anything, Olson remarks that it’s coming faster than she thought. Thanks to the players, coaches, and the team’s network of parents and volunteers, “these types of events are more fun than daunting…we have a big, amazing team, we can get it done.” Good luck and congratulations to the Kaiser Air Riflery team!
