Hawaiʻi is making history on the national stage!

For the first time, Hawaiʻi athletes have earned spots on USA Football’s Junior Flag National Teams’ initial 18-athlete rosters. Kapolei’s Maeva Koong (17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team) and Ewa Beach’s Jaedon Pablo (17U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team) are set to compete for a place in the 2025 Junior International Cup in Los Angeles this summer, facing teams from Australia, Canada, Japan, Panama, and South Korea.

Both athletes secured their roster spots after standout performances at the U.S. National Team Trials in Charlotte (March 13-16). Now, they prepare for the next step—a training camp from April 3-6 at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, home of the Minnesota Vikings, where USA Football will finalize its 12-athlete roster and six alternates.

This milestone highlights the growing presence of Hawaiʻi athletes on the national stage, aligning with USA Football’s National Team Pathway, which ultimately leads to the highest level of competition—including the LA28 Olympics, where flag football will make its debut as an Olympic sport.

Let’s go, Maeva and Jaedon!