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Red Raiders’ Strickland
gets serious about college

He didn't have to call.

After all, he's already qualified to play NCAA Division I football next fall.

But Micah Strickland cares, more than he actually admits, about what people think. When it comes to his prodigious football talent, fans and foes alike have thought -- and said -- a lot about Strickland.

He's had ups and downs in the classroom and off the playing field. The former Punahou student finally feels comfortable at Kahuku.

"I'm getting straight A's now," Strickland said.

His goals in the classroom include finishing the curriculum at Kahuku -- health and career planning classes, for example. "Last year, I set myself far back, credit-wise. No matter where I wanna go (for college), I'm just trying to get my grades up," Strickland said. "I don't mind if I go to a tough (academic) school or not."

His work ethic in the classroom carried through the early years of high school. So, though he hit a slump for more than a year, his status as a qualifier still makes him attractive to running backs coaches at several D-I schools.

Of course, averaging nearly 20 yards per carry during regular-season play is another factor.

Oregon State, Utah, San Diego State and Michigan State were earnest, Strickland said, in their communication.

"Washington was calling me, but since they got the new coach (Tyrone Willingham), I'm not sure," he said. "The defensive coordinator said he'd love to have me at linebacker."

Strickland, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound speedster, confused a lot of football people last month when the HUB Goodwill Classic teams began practice.

"I'm a lot more serious about college, and I didn't want to get hurt in the game," he said.

But instead of calling his East squad coaches to tell them that he'd sit out, Strickland simply didn't show up. More than a week after practices began, he showed up at Cooke Field only at the urging of friends.

East coach Randall Okimoto told him that it was too late to play, in fairness to the other players. In hindsight, Strickland realizes now that he should've made the phone call. And he hopes recruiters keep the door open.

Women of Troy: It's not often that a high school coach communicates enough with a college coach, especially when it comes to a player's skills.

But when Mililani's Mike Okimoto had Ciera Senas switch to a left-handed hitter three years ago, it was with the future in mind. Senas, who has 2.8-2.9 speed from home to first, learned to slap the ball and use her athleticism to get on base.

As a senior, she's learning to power slap at the encouragement of her future coach, Hawaii Pacific's Howard Okita. Her speed is already at college level, but hitting for more power will make her more of a threat.

It also benefits Mililani, which is off to a 3-0 start in the Oahu Interscholastic Association West. A win over Pearl City was key, Okimoto said.

"They have some terrific athletes," he said, noting pitcher Marina Guzman among others. "If she were to stick with just softball, she'd be a D-I prospect."

Senas leads by example more than anything. The squad is mature despite its overall youth. Pitcher Dana Lee, shortstop Kim Goo and second baseman Casey Sugihara are only juniors. Lee, who also plays first and third base, is tough because there's a lot of movement on her ball.

The addition of freshman Makani Duhaylonsod is a wild-card bonus. At 5-10, she has great potential as a pitcher and hitter. "Her footwork will get there. If she really works hard, I think she can pitch D-II," Okimoto said.

"She really has it. I was pretty shocked. During summer league, she worked on her reverse change. She gained pretty good accuracy for just one summer."

Duhaylonsod already throws a palm-up change.

"Coach (Bernard) Victor asked me, 'Who is that girl?' He saw what she could do," Okimoto said of the longtime Kailua coach. "He said, 'She's sneaky fast, uh?' And that's what she is. Sneaky fast."

Tierra Cuba is another young, talented Trojan. The sophomore plays first base, but also gives Okimoto another option on the mound. She's a left-hander.

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Athletes of the week

BOYS

Steven King, Pearl City: The multi-sport standout scored five goals in a 10-0 win over Waipahu.

GIRLS

Shyla Iokai, Baldwin: Won the 130-pound class at the Garner Ivey Maui Invitational. Named Most Outstanding Wrestler (girls) in weight classes 125 and above.
Sheryl Manglaylay, Lahainaluna: Won the 114-pound class at the Garner Ivey Maui Invitational. Also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler (girls) in weight classes 120 and under.

Honor roll

BASKETBALL

John Powley, Saint Anthony: Scored 23 points in a 58-41 win over Aiea. Had 24 points and eight rebounds in a 61-53 loss to Roosevelt.
Va'afuti Tavana, Kauai: Scored 28 points in a 71-51 win over McKinley.
Jeremiah Ostrowski, Punahou: Scored 22 points in a 54-48 loss to Male (Ky.). Had 20 points in a 48-41 loss to Roman Catholic (Pa.). Named to the Iolani Classic all-tournament team.
Kyle Pape, Iolani: Scored 32 points and grabbed six rebounds in a 62-58 win over Male (Ky.). Named to the Iolani Classic all-tournament team.
Okosene Ale Jr., Kahuku: Scored 23 points in a 69-61 win at Mililani, propelling the Red Raiders to No. 4 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10.

SOCCER

Aaron Mun, Punahou: Scored three goals in a 5-1 win over Saint Louis.
Syd Tom, Leilehua: Scored four goals in a 4-1 win over Waianae.
Brady Nunes, Baldwin: Scored three goals in an 8-1 win over Lahainaluna.
Nohealani Rozet, Kamehameha-Maui: Scored three goals in a 6-0 win over Molokai.
Taryn Fukuroku, Maui: Scored all of her team's goals in a 3-0 win over Seabury Hall.

SOFTBALL

Teresa Ornellas, Aiea: Hit 3-for-4 with two RBIs in an 11-8 win over Farrington.
Tori Ichimaru, Baldwin: Scored three goals in an 8-1 win over Lahainaluna.
Amber Siu-Freitas, Honokaa: Three hits in a 12-7 loss to Waiakea.

WRESTLING

Jonathan Quist, Hilo: Won the 145-pound class at the Garner Ivey Maui Invitational. Also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler (boys) in weight classes 145 and above.

To nominate ... To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday: Phone: 529-4782 Fax: 529-4787 E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com