Hawaii Beat
Over 300 competitors swam the mile from Sunset Beach to Ehukai Beach Park at the Raging Isle swim race Saturday. Dustin Fukuda was the overall winner.
Willoughby named WAC's best again
Former Hawaii outside hitter Kim Willoughby may have completed her Wahine playing career last December but there are still awards coming her way. Willoughby and Nevada's Kirk Snyder were named the winners of the Joe Kearney Award yesterday. The award is given annually to the top athletes in the Western Athletic Conference in honor of the former WAC commissioner.Back-to-back awards are rare unless you're Willoughby. The AVCA Player of the Year was a three-time conference player of the year and a first team All-America selection every year since her sophomore season. There are few individual awards Willoughby doesn't own, and she rewrote many of the Wahine records during a stellar career.
"Undoubtedly one of Hawaii's most talented athletes in any sport," UH senior women's administrator Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano said. "Kim Willoughby has wowed the volleyball crowds over the past four seasons. ... Her ability, grace and explosive power have led our team to the highest levels of competition during her tenure. Kim has been the symbol of Wahine volleyball success and as the National Player of the Year she has been recognized across the nation as a premier player."
Michelle Wie practiced at The Orchards in South Hadley, Mass., yesterday in preparation for this week's U.S. Women's Open. The Honolulu 14-year-old will tee off with Candie Kung and Jill McGill in Thursday's opening round at 1:22 a.m. Hawaii time.
Carll takes top seed in match-play championship
Kevin Carll of Ko Olina Golf Club took medalist honors in the qualification round of the Aloha Section PGA Match Play championship on Turtle Bay's Arnold Palmer Course yesterday.Carll shot a 74 and earned a first-round bye along with second place finisher Matthew Pakkala of Kukio, who shot a 75. Kirk Nelson of Makena Resort came in third with a 76.
Ron Kiaaina Jr. was the senior medalist with a 72, finishing ahead of Steven Hookano and Larry Stubblefield, who shot 73s.
The first two rounds will be held today.
Hawaii Pacific coaching search down to 7
The search committee in charge of selecting a new basketball coach and athletic director has narrowed its list of applicants from the hundreds to just seven, Hawaii Pacific vice president E. Rick Stepien said yesterday.The committee intends to conduct seven telephone interviews today and tomorrow, when it will narrow the list to two or three finalists. The committee will then invite the finalists in for face-to-face interviews before submitting a name to school president Chatt Wright in mid-July.
Stepien said he has been surprised with the quality of the candidates and their familiarity with basketball in Hawaii, and his school in general. Hawaii Pacific is the only school in Hawaii to win a national championship in basketball, taking the NAIA crown under Tony Sellitto in 1993.
Russell Dung stepped down from both jobs earlier this year.
Mililani team qualifies for nationals
The Mililani Soccer Club boys under-13 gold team has qualified for the US Club Soccer National Championships in Cary, North Carolina, July 20-25.The team earned the invitation by winning the Division I Championship at the US Club Soccer Regional Tournament in Las Vegas last week. They are the first boys team from Hawaii to earn an invitation.
Farrington graduate Mock to play in Wheat Bowl
KANSAS CITY >> Farrington product Chad Mock will play in the Wheat Bowl Football Classic Aug. 28 when his Avila University takes on Midland Lutheran College.The Wheat Bowl is a small-college preseason football game set in Ellinwood, Kan. Mock plays wide receiver for Avila.
Epilepsy 5K race set for July 4
The Freedom 5K Run/Walk, a fund-raiser for the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii, is scheduled for July 4, at Kailua High School.The 3.1-mile race starts at 7 a.m. with the course around Keolu Drive in Enchanted Lake. The cost is $18, including a T-shirt, $10 without a shirt.
Participants can also choose a 1-mile walk. For more information, contact Kathryn Chung at 528-3058 or Julie Meier at 371-3221.
HSJGA to hold state junior championships
The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association will hold its sixth annual Callaway Hawaii State Junior Championship on two islands, beginning this week.Boys and girls in the 13-14, 11-12 and 10-under age divisions will start play today at the Hawaii Prince Golf Club. Boys and girls in the 15-18 age division will play July 6-7 at the Club at Hokulia on the Big Island.
A field of 91 juniors, including several Junior World qualifiers, is expected next week for the Hawaii Prince tournaments.
A field of 76 is expected for the 15-18 tournament on the Big Island, including defending champion Allan Baab and 2004 high school state champion Kurt Nino and 2004 Manoa Cup winner Ryan Perez.
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