Just For Kicks
The University of Hawaii women's team has received letters of intent from Natalie Groenewoud, Kristalyn Ontai and Jennifer Churchill. Three commit to
Wahine soccer teamGroenewoud is a member of the Under-19 Canadian Junior National Team pool and will play for the British Columbia provincial team in this year's Canada Games.
She attends Handsworth Secondary High School in North Vancouver, British Columbia, and plays for the North Selects provincial team. In February, Groenewoud attended a five-day camp intended to expose youth players from Canada's four western provinces to the same style of play as Canada's Women's World Cup team.
"Natalie is tremendously conditioned. Her comfort with the ball is exceptional and she's a very speedy player," said Wahine head coach Pinsoom Tenzing.
Groenewoud can play the midfield or a striker position.
Ontai considered going to the mainland, was accepted at American University, but chose to sign with UH.
"I didn't get a chance to see the Wahine play last fall, but I've lived here all my life and it's not a small thing," said Ontai, presently a point guard with the Kamehameha girls' basketball team.
"It's a big deal. Everyone is rooting for UH. I warmed up to that kind of atmosphere. I couldn't see anything I didn't like on my recruiting visit. The only thing is UH is so big."
Ontai played up front, in the middle and on the back line for Warriors coach Michele Nagamine.
"I like to play fullback. I think there is something kind of noble about defending the goal. It appeals to me," Ontai said.
Churchill is the second goalkeeper signed for next season. She will transfer from De Anza Community College in Cupertino, Calif.
"I saw Jennifer play extensively, in the Nomads Tournament in San Diego and in the U19 regionals at Pleasanton, Calif., last summer," Tenzing said. "She's not a goalkeeper who plays underneath the bar. She plays way out, reads the game well, has very soft hands and is exceedingly brave."
THE GONZAGA UNIVERSITY men's soccer team has signed Charles Rania, a striker from Punahou, continuing the pipeline to the Spokane, Wash., school. The interest in Hawaii players actually began when Zags head coach Einar Thorarinsson was head coach at Whitworth College.
Rania led the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in scoring his sophomore and junior years. He also competes for the Buffanblu track team and finished second in the 100-meter high hurdles and third in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in the state meet.
"He has a knack of being in the right place and is pretty good in the air around the goal," Punahou coach Bob Clague said. "Charles is good if you hit him with a through ball and he can use both feet. One thing I've always liked is he stays after practice to work on things.
"I really appreciate someone who gives Hawaii kids a chance. Einar has had good success with players from Hawaii. Not too many Division I men's coaches are willing to give Hawaii players a chance."
Bucky Jencks, part of Punahou's state champion tennis doubles team last year, is headed to Bowdoin College in Maine where the coaches see no problem with him playing soccer and tennis.
"He played center midfielder for us this year, but he might be better at fullback. He played outside fullback for us as a sophomore," Clague said.