Add local running enthusiasts to the list of folks who have Sept. 21 circled on their calendars. Many mainland squads
expected for Iolani meetBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comWhile high school football fans are looking forward to the doubleheader pitting St. Louis and Kahuku against two California powers that Saturday, the Iolani Cross Country Invitational will also feature top local and mainland teams.
More than 40 high schools and 15 college teams are scheduled to compete in the fourth annual meet at Kualoa Ranch.
Between 15 and 20 Hawaii teams are expected to participate in the boys and girls varsity, junior varsity and intermediate divisions. Teams from California, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin are also planning to compete.
The university division includes Hawaii, Hawaii-Hilo, BYU-Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific, Chaminade, UCLA, Navy, San Diego State, San Francisco, UNLV, Long Beach State, Oklahoma State, Occidental, Mills College and Mt. SAC Junior College.
Iacovelli, Ferguson win Gatorade awards: Punahou senior Todd Iacovelli and Seabury Hall junior Tiare Ferguson have been named the Gatorade State High School Track and Field Players of the Year.
Iacovelli won the state boys 1,500 and 3,000-meter titles this spring, setting records in both events. He will continue his career at Michigan next season.
Ferguson also swept the girls 1,500 and 3,000-meter races at the state championships. She carries a 3.97 grade point average.
Speaking of Sept. 21: Tickets for the HHSAA Football Classic are on sale at the St. Louis and Kahuku athletic departments.
Tickets in the Kahuku and St. Louis cheering sections for the doubleheader at Aloha Stadium are available for $17 each. This presale period runs until Aug. 15 or while supplies last.
Tickets in those sections will be $24 after the presale period.
Tickets for the rest of the stadium go on sale to the general public Aug. 1 at varying price levels. All seats are reserved.
Tickets for the Kahuku section are available at www.kahuku.org or by calling 293-8919. St. Louis tickets can be purchased by calling 739-4882 or 739-4856.
Kahuku plays Long Beach Poly at 5 p.m. in the first game of the doubleheader and St. Louis plays De La Salle at 8.
HSN to host combine: Hawaii Sports Network will conduct its first Pro Style Football Combine for local high school players July 19 at St. Louis' Gerber Fieldhouse.
The combine is open to incoming juniors and seniors.
Players will be tested in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, agility drills, standing long jump and bench press. Results will be sent to college football coaches around the country.
Former St. Louis quarterback Darnell Arceneaux is the combine director and former Crusaders coach Cal Lee will be the guest speaker.
The combine is limited to 100 players. The early registration fee is $25 and is available until July 14. Late registration will be available for $30 the day of the combine.
For more information, call Arceneaux at 554-6849 or Doris Sullivan at 528-0221, ext. 12.
Amemiya elected to NFHS board: HHSAA executive director Keith Amemiya was elected to the board of directors of the National Federation of State High School Athletic Associations last week.
Amemiya, 36, became the youngest person ever elected to the 12-member board at the NFHS's annual conference in Boston.
The board oversees operations for the federation, which encompasses the nation's 51 state associations.