Red Raiders Add More Coaches
Two more of Kahuku High and Intermediate’s sports programs are in for a fresh start this school year under principal Pauline Masaniai.
Melissa McGaughey has been hired as the head coach of the girls softball team, while Aaron Waldrip joins the Red Raiders to lead both the boys and girls swim teams, as well as girls water polo.
“I am honored to welcome coaches Waldrip and McGaughey to our athletic department. They represent the success that comes from discipline, determination and a positive attitude — qualities I want all Kahuku students to acquire,” stated Masaniai.
McGaughey also teaches at KHIS. Before coming to Kahuku, she served in the Air Force and Air National Guard. During her time at Air Force Academy, McGaughey was a Division I athlete. Last year, she was interim head coach, leading the girls to the OIA softball playoffs.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity,” she said. “I plan to build on the progress we made last year and continuously move forward with our program.”
Waldrip brings with him a breadth of coaching experience, having been Olympic development program coach at UH Manoa. He also has coached athletes from throughout the country, including Olympic gold medalist Meike De Nooy.
More recently, he was an assistant coach and interim head coach at KHIS. When he’s not at Kahuku, he also will direct the water polo program at Kroc Center Hawaii in Kapolei.
“I have a huge amount of loyalty to Kahuku’s program and have looked for a way to return to it,” Waldrip said. “I think Kahuku has the most talent, and with our new focus and new equipment, we can be state champions. My No. 1 goal is to unseat the ILH and continue the Kahuku dynasty.”
