'EWA BEACH — Radford overcame injury and illness to win its third straight O'ahu Interscholastic Association cheerleading championship yesterday with another trademark high-skill, precision performance.

But Kapolei also made its mark by finishing second, its highest finish to date.

An enthusiastic crowd of about 850 at Campbell watched the Rams take first place with 337.5 points (out of a possible 375). Kapolei, which was not among the 12 teams to qualify for the OIA championships last year, took second with 303 points, followed by Moanalua (302), Mililani (291.5), 'Aiea (271.5), Kailua (269.5), Kalani (259), Pearl City (246), Kalaheo (237.5), Farrington (227), Wai'anae (215) and Castle (214.5).

The points are awarded based on fundamentals, choreography, execution and overall performance.

The top 10 teams will advance to the Dec. 7 state championships at Stan Sheriff Center.

"We did OK, but we were striving to beat our record from last year (345 points)," said Radford junior Tiana Paling. "We always try to beat our score from the year before."

The Rams still put on a performance featuring more difficult stunts, tumbling and precise execution than the rest of the field, which included the top six teams from the Eastern and Western divisions.

"We were shooting for 340 (points)," Radford coach Bo Frank said. "But our team captain rolled her ankle this week and we had three girls with the flu. We were a little shaky at the beginning today but overall we did all right."

In the past two weeks, Paling said, the Rams had to adjust from a 10-person floor routine to seven people, and then back to 10.

"We put in new skills and just had to come out ready to work," said Radford senior Marrissa Kaili-Frank.

Kapolei was exhilarated when its second-place score was announced. The Hurricanes finished seventh in the West last year and did not advance to the OIA championships.

"It felt really good (to take second)," said Kapolei junior Kawehi del Mar. "There was a whole different attitude this year, it took a lot of motivation and dedication. I feel proud, because our heart comes out when we cheer."

Hurricanes coach Anna Oyape said her team added "a lot more gymnastics and tumbling" to its routines this season, helping its difficulty ratings and boosting the overall scores.

"They made giant leaps from last year," Oyape said. "It takes a while to get everybody on board, and they had to keep focus."

Del Mar said "everything was faster and quicker" this season, and the execution required mental discipline.

"Everybody had to have their head on straight," she said.

Del Mar added the Hurricanes' humility also has been an important asset.

"We stayed humble," she said. "We still are underdogs, and we appreciate where we landed."