Volleyball banner to be raised
at Stan Sheriff on Thursday

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Hawaii coach Mike Wilton waited 10 years for his first national title, so being patient for one more week doesn't seem so bad.

The Warriors' coach was told by university officials that Hawaii will be hoisting its 2002 NCAA championship banner during this week's ninth annual Outrigger Classic. Hawaii hoped to have the pennant dangling from the rafters of the Stan Sheriff Center for the season opener against Lewis last week, but the banner was in committee.

"Any day will do with the way things have been going," Wilton said. "I heard it would be here for the tournament some time."

A university official said that the pennant will be raised on Thursday at the Stan Sheriff Center when Hawaii opens the tournament against Penn State at 7 p.m.

The banner will be larger ( 6 feet by 9 feet) than the previous Rainbow Wahine national championship banners, which were 4-by-6. The pennant will be white with green trim. It has larger lettering, the NCAA logo and a small tapa design.

Also unfurling that night will be the redesigned Rainbow Wahine banners from 1979, 1982-83 and 1987.

Rainbows get ready for baseball season

The Hawaii Rainbow baseball team and Panda Travel are hosting the "UH Baseball Grand Slam Celebration" Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

The event begins with a tour of Rainbow Stadium and a chance to meet the 2003 UH players from 5:30 to 6:30. Pupus, provided by chefs from several of Hawaii's well-known restaurants, and drinks will be available starting a 6. There will be a silent auction from 6:30 to 8:30.

Tickets are $65 ($25 is tax deductible) per person or $750 ($350 tax deductible) for a table. Tables include eight seats for the public and two seats for Rainbow baseball players.

Parking is free. Each ticket purchased includes two complimentary tickets to the Feb. 7 UH season opener against UCLA. The deadline for buying tickets is Tuesday.

For more details and to purchase tickets, contact Norma Higuchi in the UH baseball office at 956-6247.

Vulcans still unbeaten after another home win

Ryan Abrahams and Osadonor Esene eached scored 16 points as Hawaii-Hilo destroyed Western New Mexico 90-66 last night in Hilo.

Ryan Hogue contributed 15 points and Kyle Bartholomew added 13 and a team-high six rebounds. for the Vulcans (11-4, 3-0). David Walker led the Mustangs (0-3, 2-9) with 18 points. Joey Ramirez was held to eight points.

Zakharova runs ranking to fourth

Svetlana Zakharova, the 2002 Honolulu Marathon women's champion was ranked fourth in the world in the latest issue of Track and Field News.

Zakharova won the Honolulu Marathon last December.