Sports In Review: BIIF Teams

This past year was one to remember for Parker School Athletics, with three teams (Girls Volleyball, Boys Cross Country, and Boys Volleyball) being runners-up to the BIIF D2 title and six teams (Girls Volleyball, Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Girls Wrestling, Boys Swimming, and Boys Volleyball) representing Parker School at their respective State tournaments. Also, this year, for the eleventh year in a row, Parker School has won the Kaimana Award presented by HMSA, recognizing “excellence in academics, athletics, community service, healthy activities, and sportsmanship.” 1 Following this spectacular year in athletics, this article looks to highlight some of the athletes who were recognized by BIIF (Big Island Interscholastic Federation). 

The 2024 school year began with Girls Volleyball, Girls Cross Country, and Boys Cross Country. 

Girls Volleyball, led by Head Coach Sharon Peterson, started the year off strong with a record of 18-2 and received the BIIF West Coach of the Year. Other BIIF West recipients include junior middle blocker Takarrah Presley, who was recognized as a 1st Team member, and freshman setter Basil Au, who was honored as a 2nd Team member. Honorable mentions from Parker School included senior outside hitter Briley Ballard, senior libero Jalyssa Castaneda, freshman middle blocker Georgia Goldsmith, freshman opposite Madi Kinkade, and junior outside hitter Sophia Scholz. Some notable achievements from this past season include being runners-up for the BIIF Division 2 title, qualifying for the state tournament, and being recognized as the 10th-best Division 2 team in the state. Congratulations to Girls Volleyball on an amazing season, and look out for them in the 2025-26 season! 

Cross Country, led by Head Coach Kahne Jensen, also had a very strong year. With a strong showing from the boys’ team, who were crowned as runners-up in Division 2, and individual female runners, cross country had 8 qualified runners and 2 alternates for the State Tournament on Oahu. The Boys' team placed 6th at the State Tournament for Division 2. Athletes who were recognized for the island's All-BIIF team include junior Toby Gordon (2nd Team), junior Takumi Wetherell (2nd Team), and freshman Bella Anthony (2nd Team). Athletes who were recognized as Honorable Mentions are junior Kai Garcia-Tobar and junior Isabel Camp. Congratulations to both Girls and Boys Cross Country on spectacular seasons!

Then the winter season began. Girls' and Boys' Basketball, Soccer, Mixed Paddling, Swimming, and Wrestling teams all began to have games, meets, regattas, and matches. 

Boys Basketball, led by Head Coach Ryan Carr, had its best season in years, standing at 6th place in Division 2 and earning a playoff berth. BIIF recognized juniors Ethan Schmitt, Barry Daoust, and Benjamin Dworkin as Honorable Mentions. Look out for them next season in their new gym!

Girls’ Basketball, led by Head Coach Cody Brown, ended the season in 8th place in Division 2. BIIF recognized Junior Guard Adalyn Ballard as an Honorable Mention. 

Mixed Paddling, led by Eric Mitchell, had a strong season. Highlights included Boys Varsity winning the Kawaihae long-distance race and 4th in the Hilo regatta. Unfortunately, BIIF doesn’t make All-BIIF teams for paddling, but great job to all the paddlers this past year. 

Mixed Wrestling, led by Baliey Blu, had a strong season, especially as a second-year program. Congratulations to wrestlers Breezley Montez and Kiera Marquez for qualifying for states as alternates. Unfortunately, BIIF doesn’t make All-BIIF teams for wrestling either, but fabulous job to all the wrestlers for this past season.

Swimming, coached by Melissa Schad, had a memorable season with top swimmer Beaudin Schad placing second at BIIFs and second at the State Tournament in the 50. Good luck to Beaudin Schad in post-high school swimming competitions–we are looking forward to seeing which swimmers can fill those shoes. 

Co-ed Soccer, coached by Eric Stewart, had a committed season, with Senior Centerback Noah Nikolai being named an Honorable Mention and Junior Midfielder Takumi Wetherell being named as a Division 2 First Team member. Congratulations to the soccer team for staying strong throughout the season. 

Finally, the spring season rounded out the year. Track, golf, tennis, flag football, and boys volleyball began their matches, meets, tournaments, and games. 

Track, led by Head Coach Jill Henderson, had a competitive season with 4 track athletes making it to the BIIF Tournament. Overall, congratulations to Track for an amazing season. We are looking forward to watching you guys next season. 

Golf had a building season this past year. Golf is a game with a very high learning curve, so the focus of this season was to build up everyone's game. We look forward to seeing all of the golfers compete next year.  

Tennis, led by Head Coach Britta Long, had a strong season this past year. Multiple tennis players and teams made it to the BIIF tournament. Unfortunately, BIIF doesn’t make All-BIIF teams for tennis, but congratulations to all the tennis players for this past season. 

Girls Flag Football, led by Head Coach Cody Brown, had a memorable inaugural season as flag football was introduced as a sport to the entire state. BIIF recognized Senior Danica Castaneda-Petrowski and Senior Kennedi-Grace Magaoay as Honorable Mentions.  Congratulations to Flag Football on being part of history both at a state and school level. We look forward to seeing what's to come with flag football. 

Boys Volleyball, led by West Coach of the Year Sharon Peterson, had a really strong showing this past season, placing runners-up at the BIIF tournament, earning a bid to the state tournament, placing 7th at states, and ending the season with an overall record of 9-16. Overall, this past season, out of the 51 sets played, they won 33 of them. BIIF recognized Coach Sharon Petterson as West Coach of the Year and Junior Setter Takumi Wetherell as West Player of the Year, and as a member of West 1st team. Honorable mentions for Boys Volleyball include Senior Middle Blocker Beaudin Schad and Senior Middle Blocker Noah Nikolai. Congratulations to the boys' volleyball team on a record-breaking season; we hope to see you all again next year. 

Overall, I would like to recognize all of the student-athletes who represented Parker School this past year. Without all of you, Parker athletics would not be anywhere near as strong and memorable as it is; because of you, Parker athletics can continue to break records. 

Boys Soccer: D2 Takumi Wetherell ‘26, All BIIF team, Noah Nikolai ‘25 HM

Boys VB West All league: 1st Team Takumi Wetherell ‘26, POY Takumi Wetherell ‘26, COTY Sharon Peterson, HM: Kauanoe Hansen ‘27, Noah Nikolai ‘25, Beaudin Schad ‘25

Girls BBall: D2 HM, Adalyn Ballard ‘26

Boys BBall: D2 HM, Ethan Schmitt ‘26, Barry Daoust ‘26, Benjamin Dworkin ‘26

Boys XC: 2nd team: Toby Gordon ‘26, Takumi Wetherell ‘26, HM: Kai Garcia-Tobar ‘26

Girls XC: 2nd team: Bella Anthony ‘28 HM: Isabel Camp ‘26. 

Girls VB:1st team: Takarrah Presley ‘26, 2nd Team Basil Au ‘28, COTY Sharon Peterson. HM: Briley Ballard ‘25 (OH); Jalyssa Castaneda ‘25 (L); Georgia Goldsmith ‘28 (MB); Madi Kinkade ‘28 (OPP); Sophia Scholz ‘26 (OH)