McKinley’s Ieru decides
home is the place to be

In the end, the longing to venture far away yielded to the calling in Raphael Ieru's heart.

It is the one and only explanation that clarifies how Ieru, McKinley's heralded lineman, picked Hawaii over Arizona State on Wednesday. Since the HUB Goodwill Classic, Ieru had openly talked about his desire to go away for college.

Ieru's cousin, Randy Faletoi, is already gray-shirting at Utah. He encouraged Ieru to go away for college.

In addition, Ieru's visit to Arizona State went tremendously well. But, after a visit to Manoa last weekend, the 6-foot-3, 325-pound senior began to hear a higher calling.

"Me and coach Vantz (Singletary) talked a lot about football and church," Ieru said of UH's defensive line coach.

Ieru expects to switch from offense to defense, where Hawaii is in urgent need, when he arrives at UH. Singletary attends Word of Life; Ieru is a member at New Hope Christian Fellowship.

"Coach said me having a big faith in God makes everything better. My mom stresses that a lot, too," he said. "Me and coach having a good relationship made everything easier."

Ieru had other reasons for choosing Hawaii. He has plenty of confidence that with a lot of work, June Jones and his staff can help him achieve the goal of playing in the NFL.

Playing in front of family was another big factor. "Everybody here knows each other, and you have your family. Me and my family talked about the benefits, money-wise," he said, referring to travel costs if he had chosen a mainland university.

Another factor was potential playing time.

"They do a lot of rotating," he said of Hawaii's defensive tackles.

The decision was made Tuesday. Ieru called Arizona State first.

"I wanted to thank them for their interest in me. I just feel real comfortable in my own area," he said.

By Wednesday, Singletary talked with Ieru's mother, Kat, for 2 hours. The Tiger lineman then talked with Jones late Wednesday night.

"I told him I'd made my decision. I paused for a little while, and then I told him I chose Hawaii," he said.

"He thanked me for choosing Hawaii, but I want to thank him for giving me this opportunity."

With National Letter of Intent Day coming Wednesday, this past week was quite hectic for several prospects. Here's an update on some of the state's top prospects, by position:

OFFENSIVE LINE
As reported Friday, Shawn Lauvao gave his oral commitment to Arizona State. The Farrington tackle had visited four schools and was set to visit Utah this weekend when he made his decision.

The 6-3 310-pounder visited Cal, BYU, Washington and Arizona State.

RUNNING BACK
Also reported Friday, Kevin Sullivan gave his commitment to the Air Force Academy. The 5-8 180-pounder also drew interest from Rhode Island, Duke and SMU.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Aiea's Malo Taumua drew interest from Colorado and Utah, but in the end, he went with the sure thing: UNLV.

The 6-2 295-pounder was 20 SAT points from becoming an NCAA Division I qualifier when he re-took the test last week. While he waits for the results, he'll be set on the Rebels. Colorado had informed Taumua that it couldn't hold his scholarship offer any longer.

Still up in the air is Saint Louis' Tyson Alualu. The 6-2 270-pounder has narrowed his choices to Cal and Hawaii. He enjoyed his trip to Cal last month, but playing at home is a factor in favor of the Warriors. He canceled a trip to Arizona last weekend.

DEFENSIVE END
Kealakehe's Bowan Montgomery committed to Weber State on Tuesday. The 6-2 260-pounder also played outside linebacker and tight end for the Waveriders. Montgomery is the first local product to join the Weber State program since Ron McBride took over this winter.

Former Baldwin coach Chad Kauha'aha'a spearheads their island recruiting.

Farrington's John Fonoti (6-2, 235) is visiting UNLV this weekend. Utah, San Jose State and Hawaii are also highly interested in the speedy Fonoti. UNLV and SJSU could make him a Prop. 48 candidate, while Utah and Hawaii would likely have him attend a junior college.

LINEBACKER
No word yet on the future of B.J. Fruean (6-2, 185). The Leilehua linebacker drew interest from Hawaii, Utah and UNLV, but schools are waiting on his latest SAT results.

Castle's Tysan Pa'aga (6-1, 220) has the interest of Weber State and UNLV.

Another Castle linebacker, Blaze Soares, visited BYU and Hawaii, and a visit to San Diego State was set for this weekend. He favors Hawaii strongly, preferring to play at home.

SAFETY
Al Afalava has everyone guessing. He enjoyed his visit to Oregon State, but BYU is still in the picture. He also had a scheduled visit to Washington two weeks ago. The 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back was a Star-Bulletin All-State first-team selection.

GOING, GOING . . .
Kapolei's Ikaika Aken-Moleta committed to San Diego State on Jan. 18. The 6-2, 315-pound offensive lineman was also pursued by Oregon State, BYU and Washington. ... Kahuku's 6-4, 325-pound offensive lineman Maveu Heimuli committed to New Mexico State during his trip on Jan. 21. The Aggies join the Western Athletic Conference this fall. ... Punahou offensive tackle Trask Iosefa committed to San Diego State on Dec. 21. The 6-1, 305-pounder will convert to center for the Aztecs. ... Mililani's Aaron Kia, a 6-4, 260-pound offensive lineman, committed to Hawaii on Jan. 11. ... Kailua's Kainoa LaCount committed to Oregon State on Jan. 18. The 6-7, 305-pound offensive tackle also drew interest from Arizona State and Michigan State. LaCount is not yet a D-I qualifier. ... Hawaii Prep's Daniel Te'o-Nesheim committed to Washington on Jan. 18 with coach Tyrone Willingham on the school's Big Island campus. The 6-3, 235-pound two-way lineman turned down offers from Hawaii, Colorado and Oregon. ... Kamehameha center Tyler Williams will play at Utah this fall. The 6-1 280-pounder gave the Utes his commitment during a visit on Jan. 10. ... Kahuku tight end La'auli Fonoti, a 6-2 225-pounder, committed to New Mexico State during his trip on Jan. 21. ... Kamehameha's Waika Spencer committed to San Diego State on Jan. 12. The Aztecs' offer stood even after he suffered an ACL injury during the state championships. The 6-4 220-pounder will switch from receiver to tight end. ... Kahuku running back Micah Strickland committed to San Diego State on Jan. 19. ... Kamehameha's Mika Kane committed to Cal on Jan. 20. The 6-3, 285-pound defensive tackle was also recruited by Oregon State, Michigan State and San Diego State. Hawaii was strongly interested, but Kane indicated he prefers to go away for college. ... Aiea's Rocky Savaiigaea committed to Hawaii on Dec. 22. Utah had shown interest in the 6-3, 295-pound defensive tackle until Urban Meyer departed. ... Pac-Five linebacker Brashton Satele (Word of Life) gave Hawaii his commitment on Jan. 5. He was pursued by Oregon State, among several other programs. The 6-2 240-pounder will likely switch to defensive end, though he also played running back for Pac-Five. ... Aiea's R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane committed to Hawaii on Jan. 16. The 6-1 210-pounder had also drawn interest from Tulane. ...

Kahuku outside linebacker B.J. Adolpho committed to New Mexico State during his visit on Jan. 15. ... Star-Bulletin Defensive Player of the Year Kaluka Maiava, Baldwin's 6-foot, 215-pound linebacker, committed to USC last summer.

Pooley and Pate help
each other to low scores

Don Pooley and Jerry Pate probably won't win the $1.6 million Turtle Bay Championship, but the twosome proved formidable during yesterday's second round of the first full-field event on the senior circuit.

Playing almost a full nine in front of the leaders, Pooley and Pate fed off each other all day to both finish with 5-under 67s. Pooley enters today's final 18 holes in a tie for sixth with Larry Nelson at 7-under 137, four shots off the pace set by Hale Irwin.

He needed an unlikely eagle at the par-5 18th to finish 5 under for the day. Pate only birdied the final hole to finish at 6-under 138 and thanked Pate afterward for pushing him into contention.

"Well, we had a lot of birdies out there," Pooley said of their combined 10-under tour for the day. "I started off well and Jerry started making these long putts on eight, nine and 10 that was fun to watch. We both played well."

Only Irwin's 66 bettered the 67s of Pate and Pooley.

Pate had four birdies on the frontside to go out in 32. He didn't have another birdie after the 10th until the final hole.

Pooley also shot 32 on the front with birdies at Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 9. He added a birdie at the 12th, gave it back with a bogey at the 14th, then managed his eagle from 25 feet at the final hole.

"Don really drove the ball well," Pate said. "I was complimenting him on how much longer he's driving the ball and straighter. His swing was terrific after having surgery a few years ago, and he's always been great around the greens chipping and putting. So when he drives it in the fairway it's fun to watch."

Pooley attributes a drastic swing change in the offseason for his newfound success. Last year, he had only four top 10s en route to earning nearly $525,000. The 53-year-old hopes to improve on that this season. He has two wins on the Champions Tour, including the 2002 U.S. Senior Open.

"I made a major swing change in the offseason, I think," Pooley said. "I went to Jim Hardy in Houston and got more around in my swing than up and down. It's starting to pay off. I haven't gotten it all yet, but it's getting closer."

Let Gary Player play: For a while during yesterday's second round, 69-year-old Gary Player was in the lead at 5 under for the tournament. He went out in 3-under 33, but struggled coming down the stretch with a 2-over 38 to finish at 4-under 140 for the tournament, good enough for a tie for 24th.

"I had a lot of fun out there today," Player said. "It's tough to play competitive golf when you haven't been in the lead for a while. I had my chances, but let a few slip away. Still, to be in the lead at my age is quite an accomplishment."

Player was partnered with Nelson, who had nothing but good things to say about Player. One of the first lessons Nelson ever followed in his golf life, came from Player's book on how to control your golf swing.

"I wish I could play with him every day," Nelson said. "To see him out here competing was very special for me. I feel fortunate every time I play with one of the game's greats. And Gary is certainly that."

Inside the numbers: Yesterday's scoring average was only slightly higher than during Friday's (71.885) opening round. The field shot an average of 71.962 with 20 players finishing with rounds in the 60s, one fewer than on Friday. There were 41 rounds under par yesterday, just four fewer than during the opening 18 holes.

The hardest hole on the course was the par-4 sixth with a scoring average of 4.269. There was one eagle by Gil Morgan, 10 birdies, 41 pars, 21 bogeys, four doubles and one triple. The easiest hole was the par-5 third with a scoring average of 4.462. There were 42 birdies and 36 pars.