Te'o decides to delay mission

SOUTH BEND, Ind. » Notre Dame freshman linebacker Manti Te'o said yesterday he will delay taking a Mormon mission and return next season.

Te'o, who started the last eight games for the Irish and was fourth on the team with 63 tackles, said he's not sure when he will take his two-year mission.

“;I'm not sure if I'm going to take it after next year or later on in life,”; he said.

The 63 tackles by Te'o are the third most ever for an Irish freshman. Linebacker Bob Golic finished with 82 in 1975 and defensive end Ross Browner had 68 in 1973. The 6-foot-2, 244-pound Punahou School grad arrived on campus as the most highly rated defensive recruit for Notre Dame in years.

Takahara-Dias set for QB Club

Hawaii women's basketball coach Dana Takahara-Dias is scheduled to speak at tomorrow's Honolulu Quarterback Club meeting at the Pagoda Hotel's International Ballroom.

Punahou girls basketball coach Mike Taylor is also on the agenda. Hawaii Baptist Academy senior Sarah Palmer, the Gatorade Hawaii Volleyball Player of the Year, will be presented the club's female Sportsperson of the Month award.

The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m., with the program at noon.