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Star-Bulletin Sports


Saturday, May 19, 2001


[ PREP TRACK ]



Prep track teams deal
with travel problems


By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU >> A half hour before the start of trials yesterday, the drama and anticipation at War Memorial Stadium had nothing to do with who would win at the Island Movers HHSAA State Track and Field Championships.

Instead, at the 6:30 p.m. pre-meet coaches' meeting, the query was, "Is Waiakea here yet?"

Because of the state public school teachers strike, school superintendent Paul LeMahieu directed that no athletes could miss school time to participate in sports events.

Although that rule apparently was altered to allow school principals to use their own judgment, most track teams had already made arrangements to complete classes Friday before getting to Maui.

That included Waiakea, whose nine-athlete contingent included 110-meter high hurdler Bertram Sylva, a senior who was scheduled to run in the third race of the trials.

Because of flight delays on the Big Island and in Honolulu, the Warriors didn't touch down in Kahului until 6:40 p.m. for the meet, which was scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Officials decided to hold off the start until 7:19 p.m. so Sylva could run his race.

"It wasn't a tough decision," tournament director Pat McCall said. "One of our contingency plans involved how long we would wait if that situation arose."

Sylva changed into his uniform in the car from the airport and ran from the parking lot to the starting line. He had time to run one warmup lap and leap one warmup hurdle before his heat.

Sylva finished fourth in his heat at 16.02 seconds -- 0.62 seconds faster than his best time, but not fast enough to qualify.

Sylva said he wished he'd had time to warm-up properly, but he and his coach were thankful that the start of the meet was held so he could participate.

Waiakea coach Wayne Joseph was unhappy with the overall situation, but grateful to officials.

"It was very nice that they waited for us," Joseph said. "This is what the seniors work for and look forward to all year."

Other schools also had travel difficulties yesterday. Earl Hedani, coach of the title-contending Iolani girls, said his team's flight was delayed yesterday, and the Raiders arrived on Maui later than expected.

"This has been a very trying situation for everyone involved," Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya said. "We're doing the best we can under the circumstances. We were prepared to do whatever we could to avoid disqualifying anyone because of travel delays."

One team did arrive on Thursday. Kahuku, another contender for the girls championship, actually practiced at War Memorial after coming in a day before the other non-Maui teams.

"It helps to get the feel of the track and the wind," said Kahuku standout Natasha Kai.

Kahuku coach Garth Spurrier said the Red Raiders received permission from the school's principal to miss classes Friday.

"The fact that they're all 3.0 or higher students didn't come up," Spurrier said. "But I would have brought it up if necessary."

Notes: There were no early surprises in the trials (most results were not available at press time, as the trials were scheduled to be completed around 1 a.m.) ... Tonight's finals will be telecast June 3 on KFVE. ... Defending triple jump and 4x400 relay state champion Nainoa Spencer of Kamehameha is not competing. He suffered a hip muscle injury three weeks ago, and it has not healed sufficiently. Kamehameha's top weight man, Brandon Ala, also is not competing, for personal reasons, Warriors coach Sam Moku said.



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