Kinu Takasugi (left) and Kenzie Tokuchi, signed letters of intent to continue their softball and soccer careers, respectively, at a ceremony last Wednesday afternoon.
Last Wednesday, Feb. 3 marked the 35th acknowledgement of Girls and Women in Sports Day. San Marino High School director of athletics David Irie was quick to point out the significance of that anniversary as the school celebrated two of its student-athletes who were signing letters of intent to continue their careers at the next level.
“It’s fitting that the two who are signing today are both girls,” Irie said.
A gathering of about a dozen assembled in an otherwise empty quad at SMHS to celebrate Kenzie Tokuchi and Kinu Takasugi, who are both graduating in May. Tokuchi will continue her stellar soccer career at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, and Takasugi will take her dynamic softball talents to UMass Dartmouth.
While at SMHS, Tokuchi was named to the All-Rio Hondo League first team after her sophomore and junior seasons and to the second team after her freshman campaign. The midfielder has also been named to several all-area squads.
Kenzie is the daughter of Mitsue and Norberto Tokuchi, and has a sister, Makayla. She plans to major in architecture at Illinois Tech.
“Illinois Tech has everything I ever dreamed of in a school,” Tokuchi said. “The perfect location in Chicago, a competitive soccer team, and a rigorous architecture program.”
Takasugi was named as the Titans’ most valuable player after her sophomore and junior seasons. She was named to the Rio Hondo League first team as a sophomore, and as a freshman was tabbed rookie of the year and named to the all-league second team. The league did not present awards after this past season, which was abbreviated because of the pandemic. Kinu is the daughter of Haydeh and Jon Takasugi and will continue her softball career under the tutelage of coach Bob Huckabee.
“I am looking forward to being a part of the Corsairs softball program and playing at the next level,” Takasugi said. “I am very thankful for all my friends and family who have helped me along the way.”
Irie also pointed out that only about 5% of high school athletes play at the collegiate level.
