Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Olympic bronze medalist Tom dies
Bronze medal-winning weightlifter and new Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame inductee Richard Tom died Monday, said Tommy Kono, Tom's former Olympic teammate. Tom was 86.
Tom was one of four trail-blazing Hawaii athletes to make the U.S. Olympic weightlifting team in 1948. Kono said his friend treasured the memories of the London Games, including how difficult it was to train by lifting weights while on a moving ship, and not being able to sleep the night before the ship reached England. It was a big moment for a kid from Palama Settlement.
Tom won the bronze in the 123-pound class, and is believed to be the first Asian-American to win an Olympic medal.
He also made the U.S. team in 1952, when he and Kono were Olympic teammates.
Kono said Tom, a regular at the Nuuanu YMCA, remained a dedicated weightlifter for the rest of his life.
"He was still training and all that, even last year," Kono said.
Tom underwent triple-bypass surgery in December, and was unable to attend his induction into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame at the annual banquet Feb. 6. Kono accepted the honor for his friend, and delivered the plaque to Tom the next day. Kono said Tom was brightened by the award, and looked good.
"I put the lei on him," Kono said. Then they sat next to each other, and posed for a picture.
Hawaii Pacific hires Liedtke as soccer coach
Former Hawaii Pacific player Scott Liedtke has been named the Sea Warriors' men's soccer coach, replacing retiring Frank Doyle, the school announced yesterday.
Liedtke was a four-year letterman for the Sea Warriors, and played on the 1996 HPU team that went 17-2-1. Liedtke also played for the Hawaii Tsunami, and also coached club and high school soccer, and was an assistant at HPU.
Liedtke is currently Associate Director for Admissions at HPU, and is a recipient of the Foundation for Excellent Schools Mario Pena Award.
Liedtke said he hopes to rely heavily on local talent.
"I feel our program has the potential to be a prominent force in NCAA II soccer," he said.
HPU went 8-7-2 last season, and finished fourth in the Pacific West Conference.
» The Brigham Young-Hawaii women's soccer team announced the signing of six players from California as the Seasiders look to build on a 12-4 inaugural season.
Signing with the Seasiders were forward Sarah Welty, midfielder Mallory Maughan, goalkeeper Erica Hanson, defender Kimberly Herrera, defender Chanta'l Babcock and midfielder Stefanie Wright.
UH in 19th place in John Burns tourney
UNLV shot a cumulative 11 under yesterday to lead the team standings after the first round of Hawaii's John Burns Intercollegiate golf tournament at Schofield Barracks.
UH's total added up to 10 over, good for 19th place.
Ryan Perez led the 'Bows with a 2-under 70, good for a tie for 15th place.
Long Beach State's Mike Drake shot a 7-under 65 to take the individual lead after the opening round.
Rainbow Wahine sweep Loyola Marymount
Hawaii had a squeaker, then a runaway, taking 1-0 and 14-1 wins to sweep a softball doubleheader yesterday at Loyola Marymount.
Kate Robinson's solo home run was the difference in the first game, and Justine Smethurst pitched a complete-game two-hitter.
In the second game, the Rainbow Wahine hit six home runs. Tanisha Milca led off the game with a homer, her first of two. Brandi Peiler, Valana Manuma (grand slam), Gail Matsushima and Amanda Taualii all hit home runs in a game that was never close.
Shockers pull away from Vulcans
Hawaii-Hilo kept it close in the early going in Game 1, even had a lead in Game 2, but No. 12 Wichita State -- warming up for a series at UH-Manoa this weekend -- pulled away for 9-2 and 7-2 wins yesterday at Wong Stadium.
Peter Rodgers had two hits for the Vulcans in the opener.
Rodgers had two more hits in the nightcap, and Clayton Uyechi was a strong starter, earning a no-decision. But Wichita State scored four runs in the eighth to take the lead.
Seasiders get road win at UH-Hilo
Brigham Young-Hawaii held Hawaii-Hilo to 25 points in the first half, then the Seasiders shot better than 63 percent in the second half to keep the lead last night in a 76-62 Pacific West Conference NCAA Division II men's basketball win at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
The Seasiders (18-7, 9-3) were led by Wu Tai-hao's 17 points. Trenson Akana added 16, Okesene Ale 13 and Lucas Alves 12.
Sam Wilhoite had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Vulcans (9-17, 6-8).
BYUH dropped two spots to No. 8 yesterday in the weekly NCAA Division II men's West Region poll. The top eight teams in the final regional poll qualify for postseason play.
» Latoya Wily had 19 points and 25 rebounds to lead three Seasiders who scored in double figures as BYUH rolled over UH-Hilo 67-38 in PacWest women's basketball action at Hilo.
Wily's 25 rebounds is a school record.
Kayla Burningham had 15 points and Lisa Cheesman added 14 for the Seasiders (12-13, 10-4). Chrystal Hodson and Amy Kaaiakamanu had 12 points each for the Vulcans (5-17, 4-10).