ONNA, Japan -- Hawaii's David Ishii fired a 5-under-par 66 today despite what he called "mediocre putting" and took a one-stroke lead at the midway point of the Daikyo Open. Ishii shoots 66
Star-Bulletin wire services
to take lead in JapanIshii, who shared the lead after the first round, rolled in five birdie putts on the Daikyo Country Club course in Okinawa to go to 13-under 129 in the season finale of the Japan PGA tour.
One stroke back was Kenichi Kuboya, who shot a bogey-free 64.
UH backstroker makes big splash in mainland meet
Simon Thirsk of the University of Hawaii men's swimming team broke a 10-year-old meet record to help the combined UH men and women finish fifth out of 42 college and club teams in the Husky Invitational last weekend at Federal Way, Wash.Thirsk, a sophomore from Cape Town, South Africa, won the 200 backstroke event in 1 minute, 48.60 seconds, bettering the 1987 meet mark of 1:48.66 set by Scott Johnson. Thirsk also won the 100 backstroke in 50.29 seconds.
FALL PRACTICE FINALE: The University of Hawaii baseball team ends fall practice with the annual Green-White game tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Rainbow Stadium.
There is no admission charge.
STATE SKATEBOARDING CONTEST: The Association of Skateboarders in Hawaii will hold its 1997 championship contest Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA Kapahulu Skatepark, with the state's top 40 skaters competing for the title.
For more information, call Suzan at 263-5603.
GIRLS' GYMNASTICS MEET: One of Hawaii's biggest gymnastics meets will showcase girls ages 7-15 performing simultaneously in four events Sunday at Aloha Gymnastics World, 1314 Moonui Street in Kalihi.
Warm-ups for the morning session start at 10 a.m., the competition at 10:30.
For the afternoon session, warm-ups are at 2 p.m., the competition at 2:30.
Directions: From Waiakamilo Road between King and Dillingham, turn Diamond Head at the Chevron Station onto Moonui Street. Third building on your left.
VULCANS HOST HOOPFEST: The AmeriSports Coconut Coast Classic, hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo, runs from Monday through Wednesday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, with five men's teams and seven women's teams entered.
The visiting men's teams are Assumption (Mass.), Cal State-Stanislaus, Pikeville (Ky.) and Worcester (Mass.) State. The women's teams are Assumption, Clarion (Pa.), Stonehill (Mass.), West Texas A&M, Briar Cliff (Iowa), Malone (Ohio) and Sienna Heights (Mich.).
The action starts at 1 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
UH-Hilo plays in the 7:30 p.m. finale each day.
For more information, call 974-7543 in Hilo.
NEW BOX CAR TRACK TO OPEN: American Box Car Racing International will host the grand opening of its new Club House, with an indoor box car track, at 1200 Waimano Home Road, Warehouse No. 22, in Pearl City on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17-18, from 1 to 5 p.m.
There will be free box car rides for children and adults, and free soft drinks.
For more information, call 947-3393.
MOUNTAIN BIKERS RETURNING: The fourth annual Outrigger Hotels Hawaiian Mountain Tour, with some of the world's best pro mountain bikers competing in cross-country and downhill races for a $50,000 purse, will be held at Kualoa Ranch and Waimea Valley on March 12-15.
There will be separate four-day, five-stage races for the pro cross-country and downhill riders.
Amateur beginner, sport and expert riders also are invited to take part in a four-day, four-stage event on the same courses.
For more information, contact TEAM Unlimited at 1001 Bishop Street, Pauahi Tower, Suite 880, or call 521-4322.