Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
|
Kai on U.S. World Cup team
CHICAGO » Natasha Kai, of Hawaii, joined Angela Hucles, a 2004 Olympic gold medalist, and Marian Dalmy as the final three players selected for the U.S. women's roster for this year's World Cup.
Coach Greg Ryan filled out his 21-player roster yesterday with forward Kai, midfielder Hucles, and defender Dalmy. The team, which plays Saturday against Japan in San Jose, Calif., opens the World Cup on Sept. 11 against North Korea.
Kai becomes the first woman from Hawaii on a Women's World Cup team; fellow islander Brian Ching has played for the men. The 24-year-old striker has scored seven times in 26 international games, including goals in her first two U.S. matches.
"Natasha is a dynamic, fast and dangerous forward," said Ryan. "She has grown tremendously in her understanding of how to play alongside our veteran forwards and has shown the commitment to get herself fitter than ever. Those qualities earned her the last forward spot on our team."
Former UH safety Peters waived
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. » Former University of Hawaii safety Leonard Peters was one of two players waived by the New York Jets yesterday.
Dominic Moran, a guard from Western Michigan, was also let go.
The hard-hitting Peters signed with the Jets as a rookie free agent on May 12 after playing in 50 games with the Warriors.
Hawaii club takes second in judo
Hawaii Tenri and Shobukan Judo finished second and third, respectively, in the club competition as the USA Judo National Junior Olympic Championships concluded in San Antonio Sunday.
Becerra Judo Club of Texas finished first with 101 points, followed by Hawaii Tenri (88 points) and Shobukan (68). In the overall state competition, Hawaii was third with 123 points, trailing Texas (155) and California (129).
Torres to play for Pacific
All-State middle blocker Bekah Torres of defending state champion Kamehameha has orally committed to play for Pacific in 2008, rather than trying to walk on at Hawaii next year. The incoming senior can officially commit during the November signing period.
Pacific is coached by former Hawaii associate Charlie Wade.
Hayashi, Phengsavath win at Kaanapali
Kevin Hayashi and Joe Phengsavath needed four holes of sudden-death to dispatch Kirk Nelson and Brian Sasada to win the Aloha Section PGA Prolink Solutions & Srixon Pro-Pro Championship at Kaanapali Golf Resort yesterday.
Hayashi and Phengsavath shot a 68 on the final day to crawl into the playoff and share the $3,500 purse. Nelson and Sasada share $2,000, while third-place finishers Brad Bowen and John Lynch earned $1,250.
» Douglas Logan was named the Aloha Section PGA's new executive director yesterday. Logan, who takes over for Paul Sugimoto on Aug. 15, most recently was the director of tour operations for the Ladies Asian Golf Tour.