Thursday, April 5, 2001
[ TRACK AND FIELD ]
Wahine back in The new uniforms are in, and, yes, there will be poles for the pole vaulters to use Saturday at the Fresno Relays. Things are falling into place for the University of Hawaii women's track and field team as it emerges from a 15-year hiatus.
track business
It's been 15 long years, but
UH is competing again
in track and fieldBy Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin
Coach Carmyn James was ecstatic last night. Until yesterday, she didn't know if the Wahine would have their uniforms in time, and also whether her pole vaulters would have equipment.
"The uniforms came in today, and wow, do they look sharp," she said. "As for the poles, well, there are still some wonderful people in the world."
Rick Foster, a track and field equipment distributor, and Brian Yokoyama, an area pole vault coach, have agreed to make a five-hour drive from Walnut, Calif. to Fresno, with equipment for the Wahine to use. Fresno State coach Bob Fraley was also willing to let UH use some of the Bulldogs' poles, James said.
Despite the goodwill, the Wahine still go into their reincarnation shouldering logistical problems, including a home track with more potholes than Kakaako (hence, no home meets this season).
"To do a first-class resurfacing job on the track is going to be about $600,000," James said.
The good news is the positive attitude of the mish-mash collection of 22 trailblazers -- which includes former rugby and badminton players and a basketball aspirant. The group does include some proven track and field talent -- two legitimate candidates to qualify for the NCAA championships.
Distance runner Cheryl Smith proved her ability last cross country season, placing third in the WAC championship meet. The transfer from SUNY-Cortland is a two-time NCAA Division III All-American. (17 minutes, 48 seconds at 5,000 meters).
Sarah McDiarmid from Tsawwassen, British Columbia (near Vancouver) is the former badminton player. But she's a legit high jump talent who has been to two Canada Olympic qualifiers; she just missed making the team for the 1996 Atlanta Games. McDiarmid has cleared 6 feet in the past, and should have no problem making the NCAA provisional height.
"It's been training, training, training," McDiarmid said. "Now we finally get to get out there and do what we do."
It will be a while before James learns of what the project athletes are capable. Shot putter and discus thrower Diosa Hussey is the most intriguing. The junior from Baldwin High on Maui never competed in track. She tried out twice for the UH basketball team, but was cut twice.
"I met her by running into her on campus and noticing her arm span," James said of Hussey, who is 6-foot-5. "When she told me she was going out for basketball again, I told her good luck, but come see me if she doesn't make it.
"There's a lot of work to be done. She has no background. But she's getting the basics and she's so powerful."
Kamehameha grad Jessie Moniz came back from Weber State where she played rugby last semester. Also from Maui, she's helping Hussey with technique. She placed in the state in both throwing events last spring.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii