PHOTO COURTESY OF PIERRE TOSTEE Randy Welch, of Hawaii, catches some air as he rides a wave on his way to winning the Quiksilver Airshow World Championship title at Manly Beach in Sydney yesterday.

Welch gets all the air

SYDNEY, Australia >> Randy "Goose" Welch of Hawaii clinched the 2002 Quiksilver Airshow Championship to collect $20,000 in prize money yesterday.

Against an all-star field, he landed some huge frontside airs to seal the victory and claim the prestigious crown.

"I feel fantastic," said Welch. "It's my biggest win and biggest prize purse, and the best feeling."

The 30-minute final included Australians Kirk Flintoff, Josh Kerr, Dave Neislon, Dave Reardon-Smith, and fellow Hawaiian Gavin Sutherland.

Flintoff ended second, followed by Kerr, Neilson, Reardon-Smith and Sutherland.

Wahine take third place in water polo tournament

Hawaii lost to eventual champion Loyola Marymount, 8-3, in the final game of the NoGrip Water Polo Invitational at San Diego yesterday.

Hawaii (5-3) lost to Long Beach State, 6-3, earlier in the day. Karin Van Hoff scored a goal in each game.

Hilo softball team opens with split

Hawaii-Hilo's Kristine Kahoalii gave up only six hits and beat Cal State Stanislaus, 3-1, to salvage a softball doubleheader at Hilo.

The Warriors (4-6) beat the Vulcans (1-1), 5-4, in the opener. Abby Padasdao was 3-for-3 with a home run in the first game for the Vulcans.

Oral Roberts sweeps Hawaii-Hilo in baseball

Hawaii-Hilo dropped two more baseball games yesterday, losing to Oral Roberts, 6-1, and 20-6, at Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo yesterday.

Jeremiah Wolske (0-2) lost the first game, and Robert Shimabuku (0-4) lost the second. Shimabuku didn't get an out and allowed eight runs -- only three earned -- in the first inning.