Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Tuesday, May 18, 1999

Hayashi shoots 65 to
qualify for U.S. Open

Kevin Hayashi won the local qualifying for the U.S. Open for the second year in a row, shooting a 7-under-par 65 at the Leilehua Golf Course yesterday.

The Big Island professional advances to the sectional qualifying in Columbus, Ohio, on June 7 for the 99th U.S. Open June 17-20 at Pinehurst, N.C.

Jim Seki, a Punahou senior, is the first alternate with his 69.

O'Meara triathlon victor

Brigid O'Meara of Hawaii won her second straight women's title in the 10th annual Tagaman Triathlon at Saipan last weekend.

O'Meara was clocked in 3 hours, 32.5 minutes, placing ninth overall in the 2-kilometer swim, 60K bike ride and 15K run.

Dons' Nitta honored

Iolani grad Darryl Nitta, a junior shortstop who batted .316 for the University of San Francisco this season, was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic baseball team.

Murata standout for Dana

Senior third baseman Kyle Murata, a Mid-Pacific Institute grad who hit nine home runs and 18 doubles while leading Dana (Neb.) College with a .750 slugging percentage, was named to the Nebraska-Iowa Athletic Conference all-league first team last week.

Water polo awards

Katie Hill, leading goal-scorer on the Hawaii women's water polo team, received the Most Outstanding Player Award and Denise Parriera captured the Most Inspirational Player award at the Wahine's annual postseason banquet at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Coaches awards went to Parriera, Andy Nishioka and Mandy Crawford; Scholar-Athlete awards to Parriera, Nishioka and Karin Umemura; Most Improved awards to Tara James and Christa Tackaberry; Team Captain awards to Parriera and Umemura, and the Most Outstanding Local Player award to Michelle Wong.