Jeremy Padayao
Sport: paddling
For the first time, this honor goes to a player/coach.
As such, Padayao had more than a few paddles in the water as Puna Canoe Club repeated Saturday at the Aunty Maile Mauhili/Moku O Hawaii championships.
As Puna’s youth coach, Padayao helped his club stay within striking distance of Kai Opua early on. With his club still looking up at Kai Opua entering the last race of the day, he helped steer the mixed crew to a victory at Hilo Bay in a race that routinely features the best of the best, lifting Puna to the narrowest of victories, 201-200.