Kotaka and Au
win gold in SpainGeorge Kotaka and Elise Au won gold medals in their divisions at the WKF World Karate Championships in Madrid, Spain.
Kotaka competed in the men's 65kg kumite (sparring) division. He defeated the defending champion from Germany in overtime.
Au, competing in the women's over-60 kumite division, beat an opponent from Hungary to win the title.
More than 165 countries participated in the world meet. Kotaka and Au are both students of the International Karate Federation (Hawaii).
Vulcans open with hoops win
Hawaii-Hilo opened its basketball season with a 75-73 win over Oakland City (Ind.).Kyle Bartholomew scored 21 points and Garreth Read pulled down 18 rebounds and added eight points for Hilo.
Clint Weddle led the Mighty Oaks (0-1) with 18 points.
Hilo led 43-35 at halftime.
Ohio State gains in polls
Miami is still No. 1, but it's no longer unanimous.
No. 2 Ohio State (13-0) picked up two first-place votes in yesterday's new Associated Press Top 25 on the strength of its 14-9 victory over rival Michigan.
Miami (10-0) beat Pittsburgh 28-21 on Thursday night and received 71 first-place votes from the sports writers and broadcasters on the AP panel. The Hurricanes lead the Buckeyes in points 1,823-1,748.
Washington State (9-2), which lost 29-26 to Washington in triple overtime, dropped six spots to No. 9, with Oklahoma (10-1) moving up one spot to No. 3 after its 60-15 win over Texas Tech.
Iowa, co-Big Ten champions with Ohio State, moved up one place to No. 4, followed by Georgia, USC, Notre Dame, Kansas State, Washington State and Texas.
In the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll, the top 5 were Miami, Ohio State, Iowa, Oklahoma and Georgia.
Hawaii moved up a spot to No. 24 in that poll, but is ranked third by the AP among "others receiving votes" with 50 points.
Alabama (9-3), which Hawaii plays this week, fell five places to No. 14 after a 17-7 loss to Auburn.
Gesser to start rehabilitation
Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser was to begin rehab work yesterday after spraining his right ankle against Washington.Washington State wasn't sure how long Gesser might be sidelined or if he'll be available for the team's game at UCLA on Dec. 7.
The Cougars (9-2, 6-1 Pac-10) need to win that game to clinch a Rose Bowl berth after losing 29-26 in triple overtime Saturday against Washington.
X-rays taken after the game showed that Gesser didn't break the ankle. the quarterback will be on crutches indefinitely.
"We will begin treatment Sunday and work with Jason all week," Washington State trainer Bill Drake said. "Jason will wear a protective walking boot and he will be on crutches for an indefinite length of time. We will have a better idea of his recovery time by next weekend."