Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, August 8, 1997

Surgery
sidelines Ah Mow

University of Hawaii All-American setter Robyn Ah Mow has had surgery on her left wrist and will not compete in the World University Games later this month in Italy.

Ah Mow had worked out the past few months at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. She apparently sprained her wrist last spring and aggravated the injury during training.

She underwent surgery for a torn ligament last Wednesday and began her rehabilitation this past Tuesday. The recovery time is expected to be two to three weeks.

"She is a little disappointed about missing the Games but was more concerned about the injury not healing," said Ah Mow's mother, Lovina. "She made the decision to come home and get it fixed."

FINALISTS SET: Daniel and Mark Willman, the top seeds, won their semifinal round match by default and Henry Somerville and Chris Leong defeated Alika and Kekua Beamer, 6-3, 6-2, last night to reach the championship match of the Kailua Men's Night Doubles tennis tourney.

The final is tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Kailua Racquet Club.

HAWAII TO SERIES: At Hercules, Calif., Neko Choy Foo singled to right to drive in the game's only run as Hawaii defeated the defending World Series champion, Antelope Valley, Calif., 1-0, in the title game of the Little League Big League (16-18) Western Regional girls softball tournament yesterday.

Hauoli Kaaihue-Hughes earned the win, pitching out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fifth by getting two California batters to pop up.

BALLARD INJURED: At Huntington Beach, Calif., Hawaii's Rochelle Ballard was injured during the semifinals of the G-SHOCK U.S. Open of Surfing yesterday.

After the end of her second ride, Ballard washed into the pier, had her leash wrap around a piling and was thrust head first into the concrete support. As a precautionary measure, she was taken to a hospital, where she was treated for abrasions and released.

In the men's competition, Hawaii's Andy Irons and John Shimooka won their heats to advance to the second round.

UMEMURA STILL LEADS: Anna Umemura ballooned to a 78 yesterday for a 147 total, but held on to a four-stroke lead in the HSWGA Women's Stroke Play Championship at the Mid-Pacific Country Club.

Summerset Lovett and Christel Tomori are tied for second at 151.

LIFTERS FARE WELL: At Charlotte, N.C., Kalihi's Bryce Yamauchi won the boys' 13-and-under championship and Dana Kiyabu of Honolulu placed second in the girls' 15-17 division yesterday at the National Junior Olympics Weightlifting Championships.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS: The ninth AT&T/Pilot Foundation Tennis Championships this weekend at Hickam Tennis Center will include wheelchair tennis competition for the first time.

Play began today and runs through Sunday's finals.

LONGBOARD SURFING: Some 150 competitors are expected at this weekend's Toes at the Bowls Surf Meet, the third event of the Hawaiian Longboard Federation's summer series. The meet begins at 8 a.m. tomorrow and Sunday at Ala Moana Bowl. For information, call 735-0107.