Hawaii HS Team Rankings

2008-2009 Preseason Team Ranking



Boys

1. Punahou.

1. The two time defending State Champions should once again be the dominant team in the state. The BuffanBlue lost 5 State Place finishers, plus two prior State finalist who didn?t compete in States. But they are not rebuilding as much as reloading as they return 7 State place finishers and had an ILH JV Champion backing up every lost wrestler. So expect strong wrestlers in every spot of the line-up.

2. Lahainaluna. The Lunas should return another strong and deep team. However, losses of Okano and Casco leave the Lunas without a dominant wrestler at the State level.
3. Kamehameha. The Warriors have several top notch young wrestlers. However, they lack the team depth of Punahou or Lahainaluna.
4. Kaiser. The Cougars will dominate a weak OIA east. But, like in 2008, most wrestlers will drop out in the early rounds of states.
5. Pearl City, 6)Aiea, and 7) Baldwin. Expect strong showings from these up and coming programs.

One time powerhouses Kahuku, Iolani, and Saint Louis, will continue their decline.



Girls

1. Kahuku.

1. The Lady Raiders loss 3 State Finalist, and will not have a dominant team. I expect a tight race at States between Kahuku and the ILH teams. Kahuku gets the nod for the pre-season top spot based on the historical strength of their program.
2. Punahou. The BuffanBlue return 7 of 8 wrestlers, they add to this a strong group of Freshman, who should have immediate impact. They will likely have gaps in the upper weight classes.
3. Iolani. With two returning State Champions and team depth. Iolani is a contender. They will need some wrestlers to step up and place at States to take the Championship.
4. Kamehmeha. The Warriors have a balanced team but lack the number of top tier wrestlers of the top programs.
5. Campbell, 6) Pearl City, 7) Kapolei, 8) Baldwin

The Individual Rankings will come out after the Early Season Tournaments.