Amazing round by
University’s Toyama
was 3 strokes short
Travis Toyama can carry a light-hearted joke around with him for the rest of his life.The University High School senior golfer did all he could to help the Jr. 'Bows against Iolani at Kalakaua Golf Course last Thursday.
He achieved something not many top golfers do in a lifetime by shooting a 9-under-par 61 on the par-70 course.
"But we lost by three strokes," Toyama said. "And lots of people -- my friends and Mr. (Steve) Shisido, the Iolani coach -- all came up and kidded me that what I really needed to shoot was a 58."
Toyama had nine birdies and nine pars in the round.
"I was motivated to do well because we wanted to beat Iolani," Toyama said. "We all tried to bring out the best in our games.
"None of the shots were really spectacular. I was hitting the fairways and chipping and putting well. The longest putt I made was about 25-to-30 feet on the second hole. It just shows you how well I was playing my irons."
In 2002 at the age of 15, Toyama became the youngest winner of the prestigious Manoa Cup, the state's amateur match play championship.
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion a year ago, Toyama is focusing on the rest of the high school season.
Without a doubt, he'll be trying for a personal-best finish in the state tournament at Kauai's Wailua Golf Course, May 19-20.
"In my three years at states, my highest finish is a tie for 10th," he said.
Rams gym damaged: The Radford girls basketball team is off to a 4-0 start in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West Division.
And the Rams are winning the hard way, because all of their games have been on the road due to damage in the gym.
In December, heavy rains came through the mauka side door of the gym and flooded the court, according to athletic director Eddie Maruyama. Moisture got under the floor, causing the wood to curl.
"The state came in and determined that the court needed to go through a drying process to salvage it," Maruyama said. "Last summer the court was refinished -- sanded down, painted and coated. If we had to do that again, it would cost about $100,000. Or if the court needed to be replaced, it would easily cost over $200,000."
The drying process, which Maruyama said is done by machines that blow hot air, started about two weeks ago and takes up to a month to complete.
"We're hoping the girls basketball team can play its final scheduled home game at home," Maruyama said.
On the Oahu Interscholastic Association schedule, the Rams' last home game is April 20 against Waianae.
Softball may follow football's lead: The OIA and ILH may schedule interleague, early season games for the 2004-05 season, according to Kapolei athletic director and OIA softball coordinator Elden Esmeralda.
Esmeralda said officials of the two leagues will sit down and discuss the possibility.
Last year, the ILH and OIA announced a plan for interleague, early season football games for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
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Athletes of the Week
>> Travis Toyama, University golf: Carded a 9-under-par 61, but the Jr. 'Bows lost by three strokes to Iolani at Kalakaua Golf Course.
>> Pikake Nutter-Gaudet, Leilehua basketball: Scored 12 points and added 12 rebounds and nine steals in a win over Aiea.
Honor Roll
Baseball
>> Kalani Lingo, Kalaheo: Pitched a no-hitter with seven strikeouts in a complete-game 7-0 victory over Kahuku.
>> Blake Lamug, Aiea: Pitched a no-hitter in a win over Waipahu.
>> Clayton Uyechi, Waianae: Struck out 10 in five innings to lead the Seariders past Waipahu 5-1.
>> Harrison Kuroda, Mid-Pacific: Went 3-for-3 and earned the save in a 2-1 win over Punahou.
>> Chester Wilson and Ryan Sasaki, Saint Louis: Wilson went 4-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs, while Sasaki went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs in a win over Iolani. Wilson also went 4-for-4 in a win over Pac-Five.
>> Curtis Wright and Devan Harris, Nanakuli: Drove in four runs each in a win over Waialua.
>> Spencer Omalza, Leilehua: Hit two doubles and drove in four runs in a comeback win over Waianae.
>> Bryan Padayao, Kapolei: Drove in five runs in a win over Waialua.
>> James Bannister, Campbell: Drove in the winning run in a 2-1 victory over Mililani.
>> Matt Bell, Farrington: Went 3-for-3 and homered in a win over Kaimuki.
>> Trevor Teraoka, Kalani: Went 5-for-5 in a win over McKinley.
>> Travis Young, Kamehameha: Went 3-for-3 with a homer in a win over Damien.
>> Chris Freshour, Mid-Pacific: Drove in the winning run in a 6-5 victory over Iolani.
>> Ikaika Reppuhn, Castle: Went 4-for-4 in a win over Kahuku.
>> Devin Okinaga, McKinley: Outdueled Moanalua's Andrew Blomberg 1-0. Both pitchers finished with three-hitters.
>> Keola Kaluhiokalani, Kamehameha: Hit two homers in a win over Iolani.
>> Mike Kealoha, Kailua: Went 3-for-3, homered and drove in four runs in a win over Roosevelt.
>> Michael Heu, Kaiser: Pitched a one-hitter in a win over Kalani.
>> Brandon Tanigawa, Campbell: Doubled home the winning run in the seventh to beat Kapolei.
>> C.J. Tausaga, Aiea: Doubled home the winning run in the eighth inning against Mililani.
>> Tony Ganigan, Pearl City: Struck out 11 in a complete-game win over Waianae.
Basketball
>> Kepua Lee, Moanalua: Scored 15 points in an upset victory over Kalaheo.
>> Chelsea Deptula, Punahou: The freshman shot 64 percent from the floor while compiling a combined 19 points, 13 rebounds and five steals in wins over Mid-Pacific and Kamehameha.
>> Jasmin Dulan, St. Francis: Scored 20 in a win over Sacred Hearts.
>> Melody Ababa and Bre Carson, McKinley: Ababa scored 26 points and Carson added 23 in a win over Kaimuki. The two players combined for 13 of the Tigers' 14 3-pointers.
>> Sunshine Misa-Uli, Farrington: Scored 19 in a loss to Kaiser.
>> Kamill Riego de Dios, Pearl City: Scored 28 points in a win over Campbell.
>> Latoya Wily, Kahuku: Scored 25 in a win over Kailua and 28 in a victory over Kalani.
>> Leinani Requelman, Laupahoehoe: Scored 20 points in a victory over Ka'u -- the Seasiders' first win since 2001.
>> Chelsie Sato, McKinley: Scored 21 in a win over Roosevelt.
>> Keisha Kanekoa, Honokaa: Scored 28 in a win over Hilo.
Golf
>> Stacie Nishimoto, Iolani: Shot the ILH girls low score of the week with a 68 at Kalakaua Golf Course.
>> Alvin Okada, Waianae: Shot a 69 to tie for OIA boys weekly low honors at Kalakaua.
>> Ryan Perez, Moanalua: Carded a 69 to tie for OIA boys low honors.
>> Britney Choi, Leilehua: Shot a 72 for OIA girls weekly low honors at Kalakaua.
Water Polo
>> Elsie Pilar Denight, Kaiser: Scored seven goals in a win over Moanalua.
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