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Big Island boxer close to spot in Olympic trials

Van Oscar Penovaroff of Kailua-Kona is one win away from earning a spot in the Olympic trials after beating Troy Harden of Melbourne, Fla., 24-6 yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Everlast U.S. Championships at Colorado Springs, Colo.

Penovaroff next takes on Police Athletic League champion David Rodela of Oxnard, Calif. Rodela beat Penovaroff 20-16 in the semifinals of the PAL Championships in Toledo, Ohio, in September.

Local fighters Christopher Downs and Richard Pelen Jr. lost -- Downs to Marcus Johnson of Texas 16-4 and Pelen abandoning his dream in the third round when his shoulder popped out of its socket.

Rainbow baseball team picked fourth in WAC poll

Beau Nobman shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including 3-for-3 from the 3-point line, to finish with 20 points in leading Brigham Young-Hawaii to a come-from-behind 70-66 win over Chaminade last night in front of 200 people at McCabe Gym.

Kashif Reyes paced Chaminade with 18 points, as the Silverswords (2-10) built a 24-22 halftime lead. But it was all Seasiders (14-2) in the second half as they shot 93 percent from the field, missing just one shot the entire half, as they outscored Chaminade 48-42 to pull out the win.

Hilo beats HPU: At Hilo, Justin Griffin scored 21 points and Joe Travis added 17 to lead Hawaii-Hilo over Hawaii Pacific 88-73 in a Pacific West Conference basketball game last night at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. Alex Cabagnot had 15 for the Vulcans (11-2, 3-0). Marvin Noble led the Sea Warriors (5-10, 2-2) with 24 points.

Rainbow baseball team picked fourth in WAC poll

The Hawaii baseball team was tabbed to finish fourth in the Western Athletic Conference coaches poll released yesterday.

Defending NCAA champion Rice was picked to again win the six-team WAC, with Fresno State second and Nevada third. San Jose State was No. 5 in the poll with Louisiana Tech last.

Rice junior Jeff Niemann, 17-0 last season, was picked as Pitcher of the Year. Nevada sophomore Brett Hayes was the Player of the Year choice. Hawaii senior reliever Clary Carlsen was the only Rainbow on the 14-player preseason All-WAC team.

Fuddy to serve as temporary Kalaheo AD

Kalaheo cross country and track coach and assistant athletic director Lewis Fuddy will take over as interim athletic director for the Mustangs starting in early February, principal James Schlosser said yesterday.

Fuddy temporarily replaces Lee Cashman, who officially retired at the end of 2003 but is staying on through the end of January.

"He's been Lee Cashman's assistant, so he can certainly carry on the operations," Schlosser said.

Schlosser also said the school is looking for a track coach.

Cubi-Otineru named Gatorade Player of Year

Punahou School junior Aneli Cubi-Otineru has been selected as the Gatorade High School Girls Volleyball Player of the Year for Hawaii.

Cubi-Otineru, the Star-Bulletin's 2003 Player of the Year, is one of 51 players eligible for the national Player of the Year award that will be announced later this month. The Buffanblu hitter has already verbally committed to play for the University of Hawaii in 2005.

"A major factor in our success this year was the fact that Aneli took on the job of not only performer, but role model as well," said Punahou coach Scott Rigg.

Cubi-Otineru led the state in hitting, digs and aces this past season as the Buffanblu went 20-0 and won a state title.

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