StarBulletin.com

Waianae forfeits its OIA title to Roosevelt


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POSTED: Saturday, May 09, 2009

The amazing run of the Waianae boys volleyball program in recent years is on hold, at least temporarily, with the forfeiture of its chance at a league championship.

Oahu Interscholastic Association boys volleyball coordinator Neal Takamori confirmed yesterday afternoon that the Seariders reported an infraction—using a player who didn't meet academic requirements—during the playoffs.

Waianae will forfeit all its playoff victories, including its win over Roosevelt on Thursday. Waianae was scheduled to meet Roosevelt today for the OIA championship. That also means Waianae will not participate in the state tournament.

“;Waianae reported it to us in the past couple of hours,”; Takamori said yesterday. “;We don't know any more details yet.”;

The forfeiture means Roosevelt is the OIA Red Conference champion and another team will take a state-tournament berth in Waianae's absence. Takamori said the details are being worked out.

“;It was kind of weird,”; Roosevelt coach Kaui Mendonca said. “;(The players) were kind of bummed. They wanted to play for it. I feel bad for Waianae. They're a tough team, so good.”;

Waianae is currently ranked No. 5 in the Star-Bulletin Boys Volleyball Top 10.

“;Whenever we get situations like this, schools are very good at self-reporting,”; said Takamori, who is athletic director at McKinley and a former longtime football coach. “;I think it's a very disappointing and sad situation for kids and the community, but we have to adhere to standards and integrity. Waianae did the right thing.”;

Forfeitures have always been part of prep athletics, but when one player's mistake ends an entire team's goal, a lot of hearts are broken.

“;I'd like to believe that most high school kids are honorable,”; Takamori said. “;We're teaching them integrity through sports.”;