Maui News: Baldwin teammates seek greater heights

Baldwin teammates seek greater heights

Felix begins bid for third state title, Kozaki also a contender

Baldwin High School’s Amber Kozaki (left) and Kristine Felix talk at Yamamoto Track & Field Facility during Friday’s Maui Interscholastic League meet.  The Maui News / LEHIA APANA photo
March 3, 2012
By LEHIA APANA - Staff Writer (lehia@mauinews.comThe Maui News
Photo Credit: LEHIA APANA - Staff Writer (lehia@mauinews.com, The Maui News
WAILUKU - Baldwin High School senior Kristine Felix and junior Amber Kozaki are more alike than they are different.

On Friday at Yamamoto Track & Field Facility, during the first Maui Interscholastic League meet of the season, the duo competed in identical events, including the long jump, 100-meter dash and 400 relay. But the real competition was in the pole vault, where Felix eventually beat runner-up Kozaki by clearing 11 feet, 6 inches on her third attempt. Kozaki's best was 11-0.

Even the paths the teammates took to this point overlap - both are former gymnasts who parlayed those skills into vaulting success. "Ever since we did gymnastics together back in the day, we've always been competing against each other," Felix said. "Even last year and every single year before, she jumps higher, then I jump higher; I jump higher, then she jumps higher."

Read the full story at Maui News