OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, is ranked in the top position in the west for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament next month, according to rankings released today. Akebono gets
Associated Press
top ranking in
Spring tourneyFellow yokozuna Takanohana, who posted a 13-2 record in January, was ranked in the top position for the east.
The 15-day tournament starts March 9.
Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani of Hawaii, holds the top ozeki position in the west.
Konishiki, or Salevaa Atisanoe from Hawaii, was promoted to No. 10 from No. 13 maegashira (senior wrestler) in the makuuchi, sumo's top division. He finished with an 8-7 mark in January.
Yamato, or George Kalima from Hawaii, was promoted by two ranks to No. 12 maegashira for his 8-7 record in January.
The University of Hawaii athletic department will recognize 17 Most Inspirational student athletes at halftime of the men's basketball game with San Jose State Saturday. Inspirational UH athletes to be cited
The recognition is part of National Sportsmanship Day.
The most inspirational student/athletes from the 1996-97 season are: Paul Ah Yat (baseball), Tiffany Fujimoto and Micah Kroeger (basketball), Vanessa Napoleon (cheerleading), Brynly Brown (cross country), Johnny Macon (football), Melissa Shintani and Van Wright (golf), June Tomizawa (sailing), Denise Tsukada (soccer), Rose Antonio (softball), Erica Klohn and Petter Lindh (swimming and diving), Petra Turek and Kula Oda (tennis) and Joselyn Robins and Eric Pichel (volleyball).
At Hilo, the Hawaii Pacific University women's softball team completed a four-game Hawaii Intercollegiate Athletic Conference weekend sweep of the University of Hawaii at Hilo with 4-2 and 6-1 victories yesterday. SWEEP FOR SEA WARRIORS
Susie Schoales and Lisa Balbirnie pitched six-hitters for HPU, ranked second in the NAIA preseason coaches poll.
In the first game, Michelle Ringor tripled in one run and scored another in HPU's three-run second inning.
In the second game, the Sea Warriors rallied for three runs in the sixth on RBI singles by Chameka Costa and Ringor and a wild pitch.
At San Diego, the University of Hawaii women's softball team defeated Cal State Sacramento, 4-2, yesterday to finish the Campbell/Cartier Classic in seventh place with a 2-4-1 record. WAHINE FINISH SEVENTH
Kelly Gentle pitched a six-hitter for the Wahine. Tia Morenz and Leilani Reynolds each knocked in two runs.
Tyson Tahara and Vince Yagi teamed for a 67 to take the lead in the HPLGA Four-Ball golf tournament after the first round of play at the Ted Makalena Course yesterday. TAHARA-YAGI LEAD
Four teams are tied for second place at 69.