Hurdling forward

Kakitsuka looks for good showing down in Berkeley

Del Norte High School senior Brandon Kakitsuka practices jumping over hurdles during practice on Tuesday. Kakitsuka has qualified for the Northcoast Section Meet of Champions in Berkeley in the 300-meter hurdles. The event begins on Friday. A total of eight Warriors have qualified for Berkeley. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

At first, Brandon Kakitsuka was not too sure that he wanted to be a hurdler.

Kakitsuka, known previously as a runner at Del Norte High School, mainly in the 100- and 200-meter dashes, said that when he started the hurdles only last year, it was not something he initially enjoyed.

“When I first tried it I didn’t really like it,” he said. “It was not my favorite.”

Kakitsuka, a senior, said it took time to adjust to the new event and learn the best way to run as fast as he can and jump over several hurdles without knocking them down.

Over time he discovered he was good at it. And winning certainly has increased his enjoyment, Kakitsuka said with a smile.

While he still competes in other running events, the hurdles have turned out to be his most successful track endeavor.

Kakitsuka earned a spot in the Northcoast Section Meet of Champions in Berkeley in the 300-meter hurdles beginning Friday.

He qualified by placing second at the Northcoast Section Redwood Empire Championships on May 21 in Rohnert Park with a time of 41.20 seconds.

This will be his third straight year qualifying for Berkeley. As a sophomore he was part of the Warrior’s 4x100-meter relay team and qualified last year in the 300-meter hurdles.

Del Norte High track and field assistant coach Samuel Escobar, who works with Kakitsuka with the hurdles, said he has ideal attributes for the hurdles.

“He had good speed and endurance, which are two things you need,” Escobar said. “He’s tough and he works hard at it and is improving his technique.”

Escobar is encouraged by the fact that in almost every meet this year, Kakitsuka has improved his times in the 300-meter hurdles, which bodes well for the Meet of Champions.

Kakitsuka is ranked ninth heading into the event, with the top seven from Friday competing in the finals Saturday.

“He has a good shot at making the second day,” Escobar said.

 The top four finishers will move on to the state championships in Clovis next week.

Kakitsuka is a three-sport athlete who also excelled in basketball and football.

Last year, the slot receiver was named the offensive MVP of the Big 3 Conference, and he recently received a roster spot on the football squad at Humboldt State University in Arcata.

Competing in track and field has helped on the gridiron, Kakitsuka said.

“It has helped with my endurance, especially on longer running plays and when I jump over someone,” he said with a laugh.

Track also played a role in getting noticed by HSU when Lumberjacks head coach  Rob Smith  saw  Kakitsuka at track meets and became impressed with his speed.