UH honors top sports scholars

Annett Wichmann and Solomon Elimimian were the recipients of the 2009 Jack Bonham Awards last night.

The announcement was made at the annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner at the Stan Sheriff Center, where 183 University of Hawaii athletes were honored for academic achievement.

The Bonham Awards go annually to the UH athletes who stand out on and off the field.

Wichmann, a track and field star, is a three-time All-American and school-record holder in both the heptathlon and pentathlon.

Elimimian, a football linebacker, finished as the school's all-time leader in tackles with 434.

Both have also won numerous academic and community honors.

Elimimian reports tomorrow to the Buffalo Bills for a free-agent tryout at the NFL team's minicamp.

UH tennis team on its way to LA

The University of Hawaii men's tennis team will open NCAA tournament play against No. 20 Oklahoma State on Friday, May 8.

UH (10-9), the two-time Western Athletic Conference champion, will travel to Los Angeles for its four-team regional, hosted by UCLA.

Oklahoma State (14-7) gained an at-large bid after falling to No. 6 Baylor in the Big 12 tournament semifinals. The Cowboys boast the No. 2-ranked singles player in the nation, Oleksandr Nedovyesov, who was No. 1 as recently as March 31.

After beating then-No. 20 Boise State 4-2 in the WAC championship, the Warriors—winners of five of their last six matches—saw their ranking bumped up to No. 49, a program best.

Last year, Hawaii made its first NCAA tournament appearance and fell to No. 13 Pepperdine in the opening round.

The winners of this year's regional sites advance to the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships at College Station, Texas.

By the Numbers

$7.5: Millions guaranteed in defensive end Travis LaBoy's contract. The former University of Hawaii standout was released by the Arizona Cardinals yesterday.

30: University of Hawaii football players will have to be trimmed from the roster to get the Warriors down to the mandated 105 for the start of preseason camp.

9: Punahou batters retired in a row by Breland Almodova to close out 'Iolani's 6-3 win yesterday in the ILH playoffs.

[ PACWEST PLACE ]

Akinaka named BYUH soccer coach

Brigham Young-Hawaii announced Michael Akinaka as its new men's soccer coach yesterday, just two years after he played for the Seasiders as a midfielder.

Akinaka was a PacWest Conference second-team player in 2006 and a league honorable mention in 2007. He spent last season assisting coach Jeff Miller, who moved to Arizona.

Akinaka, of Haiku, Maui, teaches at Kahuku Elementary School.