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Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
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Wie fires a 68 at German Open
MUNICH, Germany » Michelle Wie shot a 4-under 68 today in the first round of the Ladies German Open to share seventh place, four strokes behind leader Nina Reis of Sweden.
The 18-year-old from Hawaii birdied three of the first five holes and then birdied the 17th to finish at 33-35—68 at the Golfpark Gut Haeusern, north of Munich.
"I felt I was a little bit rusty. But I am happy with how I played today," said Wie, who is hoping to gain some confidence after playing just two tournaments in the United States this year.
"I feel I can do a lot. I left a lot out there on the par 5s."
It's Wie's first appearance in a full Ladies European Tour field after receiving a sponsor's invitation to play in the event.
Reis had eight birdies, including at the last two holes, for a bogey-free round of 64.
Lora Fairclough of England, who won here in 1998, and France's Jade Schaeffer were tied for second, two shots behind Reis. Three players had 67s to sit a stroke further back.
-- Associated Press
Fujiki is Gatorade player of year
Mid-Pacific Institute catcher Aaron Fujiki was announced yesterday as Gatorade's state baseball player of the year - the fifth Owls player to receive the award.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound senior batted .381 with 23 RBIs to help lead the Owls to the state quarterfinals.
Fujiki has maintained a B average in the classroom and is headed to San Diego State in the fall.
Punahou senior Harrison "Jeeter" Ishida took the award last year.
Pitcher Harrison Kuroda was the last MPI player to win it, in 2004.
9 Wahine head to NCAA Regional
Hawaii is sending its largest contingent ever to the NCAA West Regional track and field championships, which start tomorrow in Northridge, Calif.
Nine Rainbow Wahine - all field athletes - are set to compete. They include shot putter Meghan Weaver, who will be in her fourth regional, a first for a UH athlete.
High jumper Amber Kaufman has the third-best high jump mark in the nation at 6-feet, 1/2 inch, a school-record she set at the WAC Championships earlier this month.
Kaufman should be among the favorites at the regional, and will likely make it to the NCAA national championships. She has qualified for the Olympic Trials.
Annett Wichmann (javelin) and Emily Sheppard (high jump) return after competing in last year's regional.
UH sends three pole vaulters this year: Jessica Custance, Patricia Gauthier and Samantha Weaver. Brittani Daniels and Alana Faagai will compete in the discus.
UH sailing places 15th nationally
The Hawaii sailing team finished 15th in the Intercollegiate Sailing Association Women's National Championships yesterday in Newport, R.I.
In UH's ninth appearance in the past 11 years, the Rainbow Wahine were in the 15th spot after the first eight races on Memorial Day and remained there after the full 18-race regatta at Narragansett Bay.
Boston College narrowly took the title with 186 points against Brown's 188, while Hawaii finished with 460.
UH earns 2 diversity awards
The University of Hawaii was recognized with Diversity in Athletic Awards in two categories - Gender Diversity and Racial Diversity - UH announced yesterday.
Texas A&M's Laboratory for Diversity in Sport conducted the awards, with Hawaii being one of 12 NCAA Division I schools to receive the Gender Diversity award and one of 11 to take the Racial Diversity honor.
"We all know that Hawaii has one of the most diverse and multi-cultural environments in the country," UH athletic director Jim Donovan said in a release. "I think these awards bear out that fact. We are proud to represent all of Hawaii in winning these awards."
Hawaii third in Commissioner's Cup
Hawaii finished third in the Western Athletic Conference's Commissioner's Cup standings for the 2007-08 athletic year.
Points were awarded based on each school's performance in the WAC's 19 men's and women's sports with UH posting its highest finish since the award was established in 2003. UH tallied 78.25 points, winning league championships in soccer, women's volleyball, men's tennis and football.
Fresno State captured its first Commissioner's Cup with 89.25 points, followed by Boise State with 86 points. Trailing Hawaii were Nevada (75 points), New Mexico State (68.75), Utah State (64.75), Idaho (58.75), San Jose State (50.75) and Louisiana Tech (45.5).
[ PACWEST PLACE ]
HPU adds another basketball player
Hawaii Pacific announced yesterday the signing of guard Bethany Wong (Sinagua High School in Arizona) to the Sea Warrior women's basketball team.
The 5-foot-9 Wong averaged just under 10 points per game with 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Mustangs as an honorable mention to the All-City Team in Flagstaff.
Her addition comes one day after HPU announced the signing of three players from Cerritos Community College (Ca.).
