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Former sprinter aims
to sweep distance events
at state track meet

Tia Ferguson of Seabury Hall made Hawaii high school track and field history last year by becoming the first girl to sweep the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 meters at the state meet.

Ferguson has graduated and taken her considerable talents to Duke University. But Hawaii Baptist junior Lauren Ho has a good chance to repeat Ferguson's triple Saturday at Mililani.

Going by the state's best times this year, Ho's 2:18.76, 4:47.99 and 10:37.88 are 5, 10 and 15 seconds better than No. 2 in each event.

"I do see her with a very good shot after what she did last week in the 800," Pac-Five coach Al Wilson said. "She will face some tough competition, but there isn't anything she can't do."

While the 800 might have been perceived by some as the state cross country champion's weakest event, Wilson wasn't surprised with Ho's speed.

"She used to be a sprinter, but she chooses to run distance. Her abilities seem to be limitless," Wilson said. "Also, I've been around this for 13 years, and you won't find a finer person, not just athlete, to work with than Lauren."

The HHSAA/Island Movers State Track and Field Championships begin with trials tomorrow at Mililani. The action will be interesting from the noon start, as Word of Life discus thrower Brashton Satele takes aim at the meet record. Jerrod Avegalio of Kahuku threw 186 feet at the states in 2003, and Satele went 190-3 more than a month ago.

The Kamehameha boys team appears to be a strong favorite to win its second title in three years, although Kahuku could challenge if everything falls right.

On the girls side, Baldwin and Mililani have a chance to make it interesting for defending champion Punahou.

Saturday's finals begin at 3:30 p.m.

Nino to USF: Damien senior Kurt Nino, who won the Interscholastic League of Honolulu boys golf title last week, has accepted a golf scholarship to the University of San Francisco.

Nino ranks second in his class with a 3.91 grade-point average.

For the rugged only: When Kahuku defeated Waimea in an exhibition rugby match recently, 10-6, the possibility of a high school state championship for the sport grew substantially.

Kahuku trailed in the game 3-0 and rallied past the team of Big Islanders. Among the Waimea players was Star-Bulletin All-State first-team football selection Mike Kopra of Hawaii Preparatory Academy.

Kahuku, comprised mostly of Red Raider football players, will play in an elite tournament at Stanford on May 20, according to Siuaki Livai. The longtime Kahuku football coach is a big proponent of rugby.

Poly-wide: Livai was on the mainland recently to discuss production of a documentary about a Hawaii football team that will travel to Tonga next year.

The Kingdom Bowl is another event that will help to bridge the football communities of Hawaii and Tonga. For more information, visit kingdombowl.com.

Hoops clinic by Agena: Longtime coach and clinician Dennis Agena will host a two-day basketball clinic June 7 and 9 at Mid-Pacific Institute gym.

The clinic is open to 50 players on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call clinic coordinator Kawika Villa at 358-9194.

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Athletes of the week

BOYS

Derek Grace, Aiea baseball: Hit a two-run homer against Roosevelt; went 3-for-4 with five RBIs at Mililani; also went 3-for-3 against Moanalua.

GIRLS

Tasia Thomas, Moanalua track and field: The freshman won the 100, 200, 400 and long jump at the OIA Championships.

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Honor roll

BASEBALL

Adam Arakawa, Moanalua: Went 3-for-4 with a triple against Aiea.
Peter Arakawa, Moanalua: Homered and doubled against Aiea.
Andrew Blomberg, Moanalua: Homered and doubled with three RBIs against Waianae; went 5-for-5 with three RBIs against Aiea.
Justin Doane, Saint Louis: Went 7-for-10 with a grand slam in two games.
Kaohi Downing, Punahou: Homered and doubled against Pac-Five.
Nick Freitas, Kamehameha: Hit two triples with four RBIs against Pac-Five.
Casey Fujishige, Pearl City: Went 6-for-7 in two games.
Tate Ikehara, Pearl City: Went 4-for-4 with a triple and five RBIs at Leilehua.
Aaron Kent, Kailua: Fired a four-hit shutout vs. Kalani.
Charleston Low, Waianae: Went 3-for-3 and scored three runs against Castle.
Wally Marciel, Iolani: Struck out 13 and homered in a one-hit shutout of Maryknoll.
Nick Miyamoto, Pac-Five: Went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBIs against Punahou.
Maika Murashige, Punahou: Went 3-for-3 with an RBI against Kamehameha.
Kurt Nishi, Aiea: Went 5-for-7 with a homer in two games.
Andrew Ontai, Leilehua: Went 7-for-10 in two games; threw a two-hit shutout against Kalani.
Lance Powell, Aiea: Went 5-for-8 with a double and homer in two games.
Kipi Rosa, Waianae: Went 2-for-4 with a grand slam against Castle.
Christian Stevenson, Damien: Went 3-for-4 with a homer and five against Saint Louis.
Chad Takabuki, Mid-Pacific: Went 5-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored against Saint Louis.
C.J. Tausaga, Aiea: Went 3-for-5 against Moanalua.
Reece Uyeno, Mid-Pacific: Went 3-for-5 with two RBIs against Saint Louis.
Nick Wong, Roosevelt: Went 2-for-3 with a homer against Aiea.
Brennan Young, Maryknoll: Went 3-for-5 with a triple against Pac-Five.
Kelii Zablan, Saint Louis: Homered and tripled with three RBIs against Damien.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Shanna-Lei Dacanay, Punahou: Scored 21 points against Iolani in ILH-clinching win.
Kirsty Imai, Keaau: Scored 47 points in two games.
Nicole Lehner, Kaiser: Scored 22 points against Radford.
Shannon Miyashiro, Roosevelt: Scored 18 points against Pearl City.
Iza Rapanot, Molokai: Scored 24 points against St. Anthony.
Kai Sarmiento, Baldwin: Scored 19 points against King Kekaulike.
Taylor Smith, Kalaheo: Scored 24 against Roosevelt.
Siutiti Takai, St. Francis: Scored 19 points vs. HBA.

TRACK AND FIELD

Spencer Hafoka, Kahuku: Won the 110 hurdles and ran on two winning relays.
Lauren Ho, Pac-Five: Won the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 at the ILH championships.
June Ann Lusk, Baldwin: Won the 100 and 200 and the 100 and 300 hurdles at the MIL championships.
Mykah Norville, Hoala: Won the 800 and 1,500 at the ILH championships.
Careena Onosai, Word of Life: Won the discus and shot put at the ILH meet.
Anthony Parilla, Maui: Won the 110 hurdles and was on the winning 4x100 relay team at the MIL championships.
Bryson Pascua, Pearl City: Won the 800 and 1,600 at the OIA championships.

WATER POLO

Ivy Yee, Kalani: Scored five goals in a win over Kaimuki.

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