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Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Friday, January 19, 2001

Special to the Star-Bulletin
Elyse Wong, above, is only the second Hawaii
gymnast to win the Aloha Gymfest.

Wong tops in Gymfest

Elyse Wong, a gymnast with Kokokahi Gymnastics Team in Kaneohe, had the top all-around score in the Level 10 division, giving her a first place finish at the Aloha Gymfest meet last weekend at Kailua High School.

This is only the second time in the 25-year history of the event that a Hawaii gymnast has won top honors. The only other champion from Hawaii was Kiralee Hayashi in 1994.

Wong's all-around score of 37.275 also earned her the meet's Pashby Award, presented each year to the Level 10 Hawaii gymnast with the highest all-around score.

Two Japanese gymnasts, Yukari Ishizeki of Takeda Gymnastics Club and Yuka Kawamura of Fuji Sports Club, came in second and third, respectively.

More than 240 gymnasts representing clubs in Hawaii, the mainland, Australia, Canada and Japan competed in the three-day event.

Ala Wai Challenge
set for Sunday

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Star-Bulletin staff

The 16th annual Ala Wai Challenge -- a day of canoe races, makahiki (ancient Hawaiian games), and cultural events -- is scheduled for Sunday.

This year's event will honor Hokuleia navigator Nainoa Thompson.

The Challenge is a benefit for the Waikiki Community Center, and is open to the public.

The opening ceremony, including a double-hull canoe procession, is set for 8 a.m. at the Ala Wai Community Playground located at the foot of University Avenue.

In addition to quarter-mile canoe races, teams will compete in Hawaiian games such as ulu mai'ka (bowling) and o'o ihe (spear throwing). Entertainment will be by the Royal Hawaiian Band and Paiea.

For more information, call the Waikiki Community Center at 923-1802.

Pipeline bodysurfing set

The holding period for the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic at Ehukai Beach begins its two-week run on Jan. 25 and continues through Feb. 9.

For updates on the one-day event, hosted by the North Shore Bodysurfing Club, call 638-8825.

Sports Hall of Fame Day

The Bishop Museum will host its third annual Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame Day on Feb. 1 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. as part of the NFL Experience at Aloha Stadium.

NFL players with Hawaii ties will be holding autograph sessions as part of the festivities.

Lum to hold hitting clinic

Mike Lum, a hitting coordinator for the Chicago White Sox, will conduct a free hitting clinic at the Kahuku High School baseball field (next to Kahuku Elementary School).

The clinic is Monday at 5 p.m. All youth league and high school coaches are invited. Players may also attend. A hitting drills handout will be distributed and discussed.

For more information, call Syd Kawahakui Sr. at 637-2534.

BYUH tennis teams win

The Brigham Young-Hawaii men's and women's tennis teams blitzed Chaminade yesterday in their season openers at Laie.

The Seasiders won the men's matchup, 9-0, and the women's competition, 8-1.

Opening split for HPU

Daric Stith and Tom Peters each stroked three hits and combined to drive in seven runs as Hawaii Pacific drubbed Sonoma State, 15-5, for a split of their season-opening doubleheader last night at Hans L'Orange Park.

Sonoma State won the opener, 9-8, scoring the tie-breaking run in the seventh and last inning. Fehland Lentini went 4-for-5 to pace the Cossacks.

Arizona tips UH-Hilo

The University of Arizona scored a run in the top of the 10th inning to edge the University of Hawaii at Hilo, 3-2, in the baseball season opener for both teams at Wong Stadium.

Matt Abram and Ernie Durazo connected for a pair of hits for the Wildcats.

Five Vulcans players hit safely -- Brian Rooke, Keola Park, Chad Agustin, Billy Rayl and Mike Hobbs, all with singles.

Chris Goodman, Arizona's middle reliever, earned the pitching win. He gave up just three hits in 5° innings. Sergio Reyes, the fourth of UHH's five pitchers in the game, took the loss.

Hayashi leads by three

Hilo's Kevin Hayashi kept his lead in Pro Tour Hawaii's season-opening event at Waimea Country Club on the Big Island yesterday.

Hayashi shot a 5-under-par 67 for a three-round total of 18-under 198 and a three-stroke lead over Richard Barcelo (68) of Tucson, Ariz.

The tournament's fourth and final round is today.