Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Honolulu's Swanson wins national title
Melinda Swanson of Honolulu won her first national title yesterday at the USA Judo Senior National Championships in Houston but missed making the U.S. Pan American team in the ensuing trials.
Swanson, a 23-year-old who represents Hawaii Tenri, won the 78kg division, upsetting Pan American bronze medalist Brittni Bradford in the final. Swanson, however, was pinned twice in the trials portion by Eva Smith, the top-ranked heavyweight in both the junior and senior divisions.
In the men's 81kg, Andrew Hung of Pearl City finished fifth.
Warriors advance to WAC semifinals
The University of Hawaii men's tennis team got the program's first-ever quarterfinal victory yesterday with a 4-1 win over Nevada in the Western Athletic Conference Championships in Boise, Idaho.
The third-seeded Rainbow Warriors (10-5) face No. 2 seed Fresno State today in the semifinal round.
After losing the doubles point 2-1, the Rainbow Warriors pulled even with the Wolf Pack after Jeff Fitch won his match on the No. 6 court by default. Hawaii then picked up wins easily on the Nos. 3-5 courts to bring a quick end to the match. Ryan Sceats, Chad Faulk and Jarrod Diepraam gave up only eight points combined in their singles wins.
Vulcans give up 2 grand slams
Dallas Baptist blasted Hawaii-Hilo pitching for two grand slams as the Vulcans fell 12-8 to the Patriots yesterday in Dallas.
Michael Higa and Robby Mowers led the Vulcans wih two hits apiece as the Vulcans dropped to 15-32 for the year.
With the game tied at 4-4 in the fourth inning, the Patriots took the lead on an RBI double by Israel Victor. Then with the bases loaded, Cody Montgomery followed up teammate Drew Holder's first-inning grand slam with one of his own.
Rainbows out of first place after loss
Fresno State's Robin Mackin gave up just three hits while striking out seven Rainbow Wahine batters as the University of Hawaii softball team fell to the No. 23 Bulldogs, 5-1, yesterday in Fresno, Calif.
Hawaii starter Justine Smethurst went 4 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits and four walks as the 'Bows fell to 23-15, 7-2 in the Western Athletic Conference. With the win, the Bulldogs move atop the conference standings at 7-1, 29-13 overall.
The 'Bows finish up their series against the Bulldogs with a doubleheader today.
Weaver qualifies for NCAA Regional
University of Hawaii sophomore Meghan Weaver qualified for the NCAA Regionals in the hammer throw with her performance yesterday at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational in La Jolla, Calif.
After making the NCAA Regional standard in the discus and shot put at last week's Cal State Los Angeles Twilight Open, Weaver improved on her personal best in the hammer throw to qualify for her third event. Her throw of 180-4, good for 12th place, was 16 feet farther than her previous personal best.
Weaver and teammate Patricia Gauthier, who qualified in the pole vault, will compete in the NCAA West Regional, May 26-27 in Provo, Utah.
The Rainbow Wahine continue competition today, with Weaver and freshman Nicole Awa competing in the discus and shot put.
Willoughby featured at Speed clinic
Former University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Kim Willoughby is one of the guest instructors at the Hawaii Speed and Quickness clinic today and tomorrow at the University of Hawaii's Klum Gym.
The clinics start at 8:30 a.m. (ages 7-12) and 10:30 a.m. (13 and up). The fee is $10 and includes certificates from Jamba Juice, Papa John's and Subway. Call 739-5444 for more information.