Ramirez savoring
each moment of final
season as coach

Iolani girls volleyball coach Luis Ramirez will retire after the season ends.

"It's gonna be hard for me to walk away," said Ramirez, who coached the boys until this season. "I have to focus on my family. I'm really pleased with Iolani, and it's just me trying to focus on school and my family."

His Raiders are ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10.

The longtime coach will also step away from club involvement. The level of play in Hawaii has always been excellent, he noted, helping many schools compete at high levels.

The Ann Kang Invitational tournament, he said, was a good example. Kahuku and Punahou were slowed by injuries, but also made respectable showings at that tourney.

"The circle is so small, in such a small place like ours. California has so many regions, but we brought some of the best teams in the country, and they had tough matches with our teams," Ramirez said.

Iolani middle blocker Meghan Burton sat out last season after transferring from Sacred Hearts.

"Kapua (Kamana'o), Meghan and (Lauren) Minkel just came back from a fifth-place performance at JOs (Junior Olympics)," Ramirez said. "Kapua and Meghan were with me at the Global Challenge in Utah, and we came in second."

Respecting their elders: Coach Lia Young-Hunt is a beach volleyball player, but she's not the only athlete on the Mid-Pacific girls volleyball staff.

Former UH Rainbow Wahine player Heather Bown is a volunteer assistant. Karrie Trieschman-Poppinga was on board when the preseason began, Young-Hunt said, but the time commitment was too much right now. That's when Bown stepped in.

Like father, like son: New Saint Louis soccer coach John Barry is following in his father's footsteps, just about stride for stride.

Barry, who teaches physical education at the school, is 30.

His father, Bob Barry, began coaching soccer and teaching P.E. at Saint Louis in 1969. Bob was 30 at the time.

"I don't think 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' would be interested," Bob Barry said. "But I wanted you to know."

Lady Cougars need hoop coach: Kaiser is seeking applicants for head girls basketball coach. Résumés can be sent to athletic director Ricky Shimokawa, 511 Lunalilo Home Road, Honolulu, HI, 96825 or faxed to 394-1247.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.

Athletes of the week

BOYS

Miah Ostrowski, Punahou football: Caught 10 passes for 181 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown, as the Buffanblu upset Utah's top-ranked Timpview.

GIRLS

Cara Hasegawa, University bowling: Recorded a pair of 200 games last week. She amassed a 203 against Maryknoll, and then rolled a 213 against St. Francis.

Honor roll

BOWLING

Faye Castillo, Maryknoll: Posted a 214 against Academy of the Pacific.

Nathan Malisosaki, University: Recorded a 209 against Maryknoll.

Jared Mallon, Saint Louis: Tallied a 234 high game and 622 series against University.

Peter Mochizuki, Hawaii Baptist: Rolled a 236 against Assets.

Susan Signaigo, St. Andrew's: Scored a 204 against Iolani.

Tyler Wong, Punahou: Finished with a 212 high game and 608 series against Iolani.

CROSS COUNTRY

Jeremy Kamakaala, Kamehameha: Ran a 16:32 over the 3-mile course of the Iolani Invitational at Kualoa Ranch to place third.

Chelsea Smith-Wishard, Kauai: Placed ninth among girls with a time of 20:26 at the Iolani Invitational.

FOOTBALL

Chase Alcott, Saint Louis: Caught a touchdown pass of 86 yards and ran for an 11-yard score against Davis (Utah). Finished with 98 receiving yards.

Kamuela Alisa, Kahuku: Ran for 110 yards on just eight carries, including touchdown runs of 11 and 27 yards, against McKinley.

Cameron Bayne, Saint Louis: Hauled in five passes for 196 yards, including touchdowns of 26, 47 and 71 yards, against Davis.

Josh Blakemore, Aiea: Caught six passes for 100 yards, including a 7-yard score, at Kapolei.

Cameron Higgins, Saint Louis: Threw touchdowns of 26, 86, 47 and 71 yards against Davis. Finished with 304 passing yards.

Brett Kan, Punahou: Completed 16 of his 29 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown against Timpview.

Scott Keiter-Charles, Castle: Caught three passes for 100 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown, against Kailua.

Kainoa Klask, Baldwin: Caught touchdown passes of 2, 55 and 16 yards against Maui.

Lofa Liilii, Aiea: Hauled in eight passes for 153 yards against Kapolei.

Kalehua Moniz, Baldwin: Completed 22 of his 43 passes for 385 yards and four touchdowns against Maui.

Chase Nakamura, Baldwin: Caught 11 passes for 201 yards against Maui. Also kicked a 20-yard field goal and was 3-for-4 on PAT attempts.

Brad Padayao, Kapolei: Completed 16 of his 32 attempts for 291 yards and four touchdowns against Aiea. Also ran for 34 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown.

Keo Palimo'o, Waipahu: Ran 14 times for 136 yards, including a 12-yard TD, at Waialua.

Kekoa Perbera, Mililani: Caught two passes for 107 yards, ran four times for 48 yards and scored three touchdowns in a win at Nanakuli.

Aaron Santiago, Kapolei: Pulled in five passes for 128 yards against Aiea. Also ran three times for 32 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown.

Drew Ueno, Kamehameha: Ran for a 51-yard touchdown on a fake punt, averaged 40 yards per punt and sent one kickoff to the end zone against Leilehua.

Cody Wells, Saint Louis: Ran for 112 yards in just 12 attempts, including an 8-yard touchdown, against Davis (Utah).

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

Ramirez savoring each moment of final season as coach