|
Hawaii Beat
Star-Bulletin staff
|
HAWAII
Prep football poll coming
Leilehua opened last season No. 8 in the Star-Bulletin's high school football poll and went on to win the state championship, while preseason No. 1 Kahuku missed the playoffs.
Will the Mules wear the target this season, or will they be the favorite?
Find out over the next 10 days as we begin counting down the top 10 teams for the upcoming high school football season tomorrow with the No. 10 squad.
The countdown will continue until the preseason No. 1 is revealed when the season opens with Kamehameha and Kahuku clashing on Aug. 15.
Fields Open loses title sponsor
Japan's Fields Corporation announced yesterday that it will no longer be the title sponsor of the second LPGA Tour event for the last three years, opting to focus future marketing mostly in Japan.
In a statement released yesterday, Fields Corporation officials explained the reason for deciding to put their money elsewhere.
"Despite the tournament's increasing popularity and success, the Fields Corporation has decided to focus its energy on consumers in Japan," Fields Corporation chairman Hidetoshi Yamamoto said in a press release.
"The State of Hawaii and the City & County of Honolulu have been gracious hosts throughout the years and we wish to thank them for their support and enthusiasm. We'd also like to say mahalo to the hundreds of volunteers, local sponsors and our host site, Ko Olina Resort, all of whom were instrumental in making the Fields Open a truly fantastic event."
UH picked to win WAC soccer
The Hawaii soccer team was picked by the Western Athletic Conference coaches to win the league this year.
Results of the votes by the eight conference coaches were announced yesterday in Denver.
The Rainbow Wahine got seven first-place votes and 49 points. Fresno State (40) was picked to finish second, followed by Utah State (37).
Also, UH junior striker Ambree Ako was named as the preseason offensive player of the year, while teammate Tehane Higa, a senior, was named as preseason co-defensive player of the year along with Utah State's Lindsey Smart.
The Rainbow Wahine placed five players on the preseason All-WAC team -- forward Taryn Fukuroku, defender Nicole Mikula and goalkeeper Kori Lu along with Ako and Higa.
Kono, Kaneko contend in Oregon
Honolulu's Stephanie Kono and Ayaka Kaneko are tied for 17th after the first round of the U.S. Women's Amateur at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore.
Kono and Kaneko shot 1-over 73s yesterday and trail leader Amanda Blumenhurst of Scottsdale, Ariz., by seven shots.
Mari Chun of Pearl City is at 3-over 75 and tied for 39th. Other Hawaii golfers in the tournament are Pahoa's Kimberly Kim (10-over 82, tied for 126th), Honolulu's Cyd Okino (12-over 84, tied for 138th).
IN BRIEF
McLachlin will go for major
Parker McLachlin has entered the PGA Championship tournament this week.
McLachlin earned an invitation to the final major of the year with his first PGA Tour victory Sunday at the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open. The victory also earned him a spot at the Mercedes-Benz Championship, but did not get him at automatic invite into the Masters field. PGA Tour events opposite World Golf Championship tourneys aren't considered full-field tournaments.
McLachlin was initially uncertain about whether to play a seventh consecutive week, but decided not to turn down a shot at playing in a major.
"He's in," said his father, Chris McLachlin. "He's taking two days off and then he'll be ready to go."
Parker McLachlin, at home in Arizona, will arrive either late today or early tomorrow for the tournament at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., his father said.
Favre back with Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. » The Packers announced yesterday that former quarterback Brett Favre had been reinstated and returned to the active roster, as was expected. To make room for Favre, the team placed cornerback Condrew Allen on injured reserve with a knee injury.
Coach Mike McCarthy had scheduled a news conference yesterday to talk about his plans for Favre. But it was rescheduled for sometime today because McCarthy was still meeting with Favre.
Evensen wins a Mercedes-Benz
Hawaii's Stacy Evensen of HMSA won a $35,000 Mercedes-Benz automobile yesterday when she scored a hole-in-one on the 11th hole yesterday in a Mercedes-Benz sponsored golf tournament at Mid-Pacific Country Club.
Lipsher part of championship team
Former Punahou athlete Allison Lipsher helped Ajax America to the Women's Premier Soccer League national championship on Sunday in a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Rush in Natomas, Calif.
Lipsher, a goalkeeper, was named to the all-tournament team. She made two saves in the title game.
