Hawker wins Keauhou
triathlon again

Star-Bulletin staff

KEAUHOU-KONA >> A new course but the same result.

Chad Hawker of California won the 19th annual Keauhou-Kona Triathlon for the third consecutive year, besting the field of 600 racers in 4 hours and 3 minutes. Hawker finished some seven minutes ahead of four-time winner Brent Imonen of Hawaii (4:10:42), while Gordo Byrn of Hong Kong was third in 4:12:31.

The course, half the Ironman distances, included a 1.2-mile swim in Kailua Bay, a 56-mile bike course from Kailua-Kona to Waikoloa and back, and a 13.2-mile run from Kailua-Kona to Keauhou.

Californian Michelle Gwazdo won the women's event in 4:24:59. Honolulu's Susan Burr finished second in 4:37:23, just 17 seconds ahead of Jennifer McTigue, also of Honolulu.

The event was a qualifying race for the October's Ironman. Twenty-five international spots for the Ironman were awarded as well as 30 slots to Big Island residents.

Hawaii’s own

Benny Agbayani, Mets: The St. Louis and Hawaii Pacific alumnus went 0-for-1, pinch-hitting in New York's 5-4 win over Florida.

Mike Fetters, Dodgers: The Iolani graduate registered his first win of the season -- a 5-4 victory over the Astros-- but only after giving up a two-run homer to Lance Berkman in the top of the 12th. The homer, Berkman's second of the game, came one out after Jose Vizcaino singled. Fetters was bailed out when Los Angeles scored three runs in the bottom of the inning, the last on an error by Berkman.

"I didn't do my job today, but the rest of the team battled real hard and we came back and snatched that one from them," Fetters said. "They really picked me up. I feel a little bit better about it because we won. I would have been miserable if we lost the game."

Of Berkman's home run, Fetters said: "I tried to throw a four-seam fastball in, and the ball came back over the middle. You never want to be beat on your third-best pitch, and that was my third-best pitch. When you make a mistake, big league hitters are going to crush it -- especially a guy like that who's hot and is seeing the ball well."

Boxing continues at Aloha Tower tomorrow

Mike Balasi of Kalihi faces California's Roberto Cardona in the co-main event of tomorrow's boxing card at Aloha Tower's Pier 10.

The seven-bout event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Also on the card is a four-round heavyweight fight between Honolulu's Matt Taufette and Stafine Talosaga from Kalihi.

Managers' meeting for ASG softball Wednesday

A mandatory meeting for all managers of softball teams entering the Aloha State Games is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lanakila Park meeting room.

Managers or captains of all softball teams that are already entered in the games or are planning to enter must attend the meeting. Entries can be submitted at the meeting.

The Aloha State Games officially open Saturday at Kakaako Waterfront Park. Festivities include a fair starting at 9 a.m.