Linemen rewarded
for extra training

Six Warriors get a break in
the team’s conditioning test

Eight will be enough for six Hawaii linemen when they take on the dreaded 220-yard conditioning test Friday, signaling the start of UH football preseason camp.

Normally, each Warrior player must complete 220 yards 10 times in a prescribed time depending on the position he plays. Those who make it avoid extra conditioning runs later in camp.

This year, though, offensive linemen Dane Uperesa, Marques Kaonohi, Derek Fa'avi, Tala Esera and Aaron Kia and defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson will only have to do it eight times. They are being rewarded for showing up every day this summer for voluntary workouts, UH strength and conditioning coach Mel deLaura said.

"We're doing this for these linemen because they've shown big-time leadership," deLaura said. "And I know they're in great shape. I want them to make it. They deserve it. I know they'll make eight."

Quarterback Kainoa Akina also showed up every day, and deLaura also praised his leadership in workouts. He will still do the 220 yards 10 times, though.

"That kid could probably do 15 ... and probably wants to," deLaura said. "We wanted to give the big guys (linemen) who worked hard a break."

DeLaura also listed junior-college transfer Wilson among three players who made great conditioning improvements this summer. The 6-foot-1, 300-pound defensive tackle originally from Farrington High School can do 39 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press. He also has been timed at 5.2 seconds in the 40-yard dash, outstanding for a man his size.

Two other incoming defensive linemen, Reagan Mauia and Rocky Savaiigaea, were also timed at 5.2, deLaura said.

Mauia, a transfer from Delta College in San Joaquin, Calif., is 6-feet and around 350 pounds. Savaiigaea, a freshman from Aiea High School, is 6-3, 290.

DeLaura said he expects the Warriors to do well as a team Friday in the conditioning test.

"Last year was our best year, and I think we can match it," he said. "For the last three or four weeks, 60 to 65 guys have been here running every day. Now guys are coming in, trying to get their reps on the bench. We've already got a lot of guys over 20 (bench reps of 225)."