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Seasiders advance to NCAA D-II semifinals

Top-ranked Brigham Young-Hawaii defeated Columbus State (Ga.) 5-1 yesterday in Altamonte Springs, Fla., and advanced to the NCAA Division II women's tennis semifinals.

It was the 129th straight win and 28th victory of the season for the Seasiders, who play fifth-ranked Barry (Fla.) today.

Jing Jing Liu, Adrienn Hegedus, Tetyana Bula and Petra Teller all won singles and doubles matches for BYUH.

» Ninth-ranked North Florida defeated the Seasiders men's team 5-1 in the semifinals at Altamonte Springs, Fla.

The doubles team of Dorian Porada and Leon So'onalole earned Brigham Young-Hawaii's only victory.

The loss ended the Seasiders' season at 23-6.

Vulcans drop regional softball opener

The Hawaii-Hilo softball team fell into the loser's bracket of the NCAA Division II West Regional with a 2-0 loss to San Francisco State yesterday in Carson, Calif.

The Vulcans mustered just four hits against San Francisco State pitcher Sonja Garnett, who struck out eight in earning the win. UH-Hilo's Leo Sing Chow gave up five hits and struck out five in the loss.

Chrissy Hildebrandt drove in both runs for San Francisco State with singles in the first and third innings.

The Vulcans (31-10) put runners on second and third with nobody out in the top of the sixth, but Garnett struck out the next three batters to preserve the shutout.

Hawaii-Hilo plays Cal State Dominguez Hills in an elimination game today at 6 a.m. Hawaii time.

» Hawaii-Hilo freshmen Brandi Peiler and Kellie Nishikida earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II West Region second-team honors yesterday in softball.

Peiler went 11-1 as a pitcher and hit .366, while Nishikida batted .370.

For Peiler, the honor came a day after earning Pacific West Conference Freshman of the Year honors.

"Being selected to this team is a big accomplishment for freshmen," Hawaii-Hilo co-head coach Howard Okita said. "They both deserved it based on the year they had."

DeBartolo is fourth in WAC heptathlon

Hawaii freshman Bianca DeBartolo finished fourth in the heptathlon at the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships yesterday at Tulsa, Okla.

DeBartolo earned five points for the Rainbow Wahine's team score. Her fourth-place finish is the highest in school history. She scored 4,559 points, well behind the winner, Katie Christianson of Fresno State, who scored 5,215.

Other Rainbow Wahine athletes compete in today's preliminaries, trying for a spot in tomorrow's finals.

Kobayashi to receive Ushijima award

Bert Kobayashi Jr. will be honored with the 2004-05 Charles Ushijima Award prior to the University of Hawaii's baseball game against Fresno State tonight.

Kobayashi has been instrumental in developing a restructured membership benefit plan for 'Ahahui Koa Anuenue -- UH's booster club -- as president since 2003.

The booster club has doubled the annual scholarship contribution to the UH athletic department from $600,000 in 2001 to $1.2 million in 2004, according to the school's sports information office.

The Ushijima award is given to the volunteer who has given his or her support unselfishly to further advance the UH athletic program and whose efforts help student-athletes achieve their goals.

Chang to start third U.S. junior luge season

Kailua-Kona's David Chang will start his third season as a U.S. luge athlete in the fall.

USA Luge named the 15-year-old to the junior candidate select team.

Chang spent last year on the junior development team. He was discovered in 2002 when USA Luge came to Honolulu and cities across America in search of prospects. Luge sliders (sleds on wheels) were used to determine potential talent.

Last season at the nationals, Chang placed seventh in the 17-and-under division and 11th in the 20-and-under group.

Tinman registration first deadline Monday

The first entry deadline for the 25th annual Tinman Triathlon is Monday. Contestants can enter until then for $80. After Monday, the entry fee increases to $100 until June 16, when it will increase again.

The Tinman Triathlon is July 16. Entry forms are at most running and bike stores and in Athletes Hawaii magazine. Registration can also be done online at Active.com.