During a recent Varsity Soccer practice at Punahou, players sprinted, cut and recovered in rapid succession – movements that looked routine to the casual observer but were being measured in extraordinary detail. Over their jerseys, each athlete wore a small black sensor that silently tracked distance, speed and workload. The device is part of Catapult, a cutting-edge performance monitoring system now helping Punahou coaches make data-driven decisions about training, recovery and player safety.
Used by top collegiate and professional teams around the world, Catapult captures real-time information that allows coaches to see precisely how athletes are performing – and when they might need rest. “It’s about using information to keep athletes healthy and performing at their best,” says Andrew Takata, Punahou’s Director of Athletic Performance and Sports Science. “We can tell when someone’s speed drops, when fatigue sets in, or when recovery is needed – and adjust right away.”
Punahou is the first independent K – 12 school on O‘ahu to integrate Catapult into its high school athletics program, expanding upon a growing commitment to sports science that began with tools like force plates and speed gates. Takata, who holds a Ph.D. in Biomechanics and previously worked with the Detroit Lions, sees the technology as the next step in a holistic model that integrates strength, conditioning and recovery. “It’s not about pushing harder,” he explains. “It’s about training smarter.”
After debuting with Varsity Football midseason, Catapult has shifted focus to Varsity Soccer. Varsity Girls Head Coach Shelley Izuno says the system has already changed how she designs practices. “We can see which players are carrying the heaviest workload and make adjustments before injuries happen,” Izuno says. “It’s a huge advantage.”
Athletic Director Michelle Arnold adds that the initiative reflects Punahou’s guiding philosophy: Health Drives Performance. “Our student-athletes learn how to move well, train well and recover well,” Arnold says. “Catapult helps us support that balance with data and care.”As Punahou’s sports science program enters its second year, technology like Catapult is helping redefine what’s possible in high school athletics – blending data, strategy and compassion to ensure every student-athlete can perform, recover and thrive.
Photos by Kathleen Connelly