Riding out an emotional wave that carried them through the season, Kahuku ran away with its fourth Chevron/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Girls Wrestling Championship in seven years today at Blaisdell Arena.

The Red Raiders finished with a team total of 152.5 points, easily outdistancing runner-up 'Iolani (106). Punahou (85) finished fourth, followed by Kamehameha (84), Baldwin (71), Kamehameha-Maui (68.5), Campbell (66), Kapolei and Pearl City (64 each) and Farrington (60).

Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said the Red Raiders dedicated their season to assistant coach Warner Pukahi Jr., who died of an aneurism on Nov. 10 at age 44.

"It motivated all of us, because we knew that even though he isn't here with us physically, he was here spiritually," said Torres, who also worked side-by-side with Pukahi coaching Kahuku's JV football team for 10 years. "Our kids went out there believing that. He was a teddy bear, but he also was all about ruggedness. In high school, his nickname was 'Rocky.' With him, it wasn't about wins or losses, it was about giving your best, never giving up and being happy, enjoying what you were doing.

"Thinking about him, that was our drive this year."

The Red Raiders had two individual champions — Danica Auna at 120 pounds and Amanda Soliai at 155.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.