Okimoto named coach
of alma mater FarringtonFormer Farrington running back Randall Okimoto has been named the new head coach of the Governors' varsity football team.
Okimoto, the school's junior varsity coach last season, takes over for David Pila as varsity coach. The Governors went 1-6-1 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference last fall in Pila's only season as head coach.
"It's something I always thought about and wanted to do," Okimoto said. "It's the reason I got into teaching and I'm just so happy I'm back at Farrington."
Farrington athletic director Harold Tanaka said Pila is stepping down to spend more time with his family. Pila and his wife are expecting their third child in September. He served as head football and boys basketball coach last year.
All Farrington coaches are being asked to reapply for their positions. Tanaka said he expects Pila to reapply for the basketball job.
Okimoto was an All-State running back for Farrington and led the Governors to the 1990 OIA championship. He went on to play for the University of Hawaii from 1993-96 and returned to the Farrington football program as a coach five years ago. He teaches physical education at the school.
"He's been on board already, the transition will be fine and he's got some good people working with him," Tanaka said.
COURTESY GRANT ELLIS / TOSTEE.COM
Hawaii's Hank Gaskell defeated Jihad Khoor of Brazil in round four of the men's open yesterday at the Quiksilver ISA World Surfing Games in Durban, South Africa.
Garcia ousted in Quicksilver Pro
TAVARUA & NAMOTU ISLANDS, Fiji >> Hawaii's Sunny Garcia, the 2000 world champion, was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Quicksilver Pro yesterday by Cory Lopez.Lopez scored 18.25 out of a possible 20 points. Garcia finished with 16.10 points.
Defending Quicksilver Pro champion Luke Egan of Australia edged Kelly Slater in the fourth round before falling to Michael Lowe in the quarterfinals.
C.J. Hobgood and Shea Lopez also advanced to the semis, leaving three Floridians and one Australian (Lowe).
The winner of the meet receives $30,000 and 1,200 points in the rankings.
Punahou grad sets marks in weightlifting
Former Punahou School tennis standout Taylor Tom broke two world records in the bench press at the Capitol City Bench Press and Dead Lift Championship earlier this month in Rancho Cordova, Calif.Tom, competing in the 148-pound class, pressed 419 pounds. The lift broke Tom's own junior men's mark of 402 as well as the open record of 414 pounds.
Tom was a state doubles champion for the Buffanblu and went on to play tennis at the University of Washington.
He is currently an optometry student at Cal.
