Wie 3 back at Sybase Classic

Despite missing a couple of short birdie opportunities during yesterday's third round, Hawaii's Michelle Wie still managed to shoot a 4-under 68 to remain in contention at the $2 million Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J. She is tied for fourth with Paula Creamer (68) at 9-under 207.

Twice on the back nine, Wie missed birdie putts inside 5 feet that kept her from closing the gap on leaders Suzann Pettersen (69) and Ji Young Oh (69), who are at 12-under 204.

Wie, playing with Creamer and former world No. 1 Karrie Webb, began the day with four birdies and one bogey on the front nine. The Punahou School graduate barely missed a hole-in-one at the par-3 third. The ball lipped out for a tap-in birdie. She had two birdies and one bogey on the back nine.

“;My putting did not work today,”; Wie said. “;The ball didn't want to go home.”;

Kaufman breaks UH record

Hawaii junior Amber Kaufman won the high jump yesterday for the second year in a row at the Western Athletic Conference track and field championships in Logan, Utah.

Kaufman had a school-record jump of 6 feet, 4 inches, the top jump in the country this outdoor season. Kaufman, who earlier won the gold at the WAC Indoor Championship, will earn her second consecutive trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, where she placed fifth last season.

The Rainbow Wahine swept the event. Emily Sheppard was second at 5-11 1/4 and Annett Wichmann third at 5-10.

Hawaii finished fifth, also a school best, with 105.5 points.

Louisiana Tech captured the women's title for the fifth consecutive year with 150 points, followed by Nevada (129.5), Fresno State (119), Utah State (112.5), Hawaii (105.5), New Mexico State (88), Idaho (58) and Boise State (54.5).

UH had never finished higher than sixth at this meet and never reached the 100-point mark. The Rainbow Wahine also surpassed their previous best with a total of nine medals, including golds by Wichmann (heptathlon), Kaufman (high jump), and Jessica Custance (pole vault).

Wichmann and Kaufman shared co-field athletes of the meet honors, the second time this season Wichmann received the award after sharing it at the WAC Indoor Championships. Wichmann also took home the high point award after totaling 32 points in five events.

Northeastern fills Diamond Head field

Northeastern will be the eighth team in the inaugural Diamond Head Classic that will be played in December at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Executive director of the college basketball tournament David Matlin made the announcement yesterday. The other seven teams are Hawaii, Southern California, Nevada-Las Vegas, St. Mary's, Southern Methodist, Western Michigan and College of Charleston.

ESPN-TV will broadcast the tournament on Dec. 22, 23 and 25.

Palmer named to youth national team

Hawaii Baptist junior Sarah Palmer has been named to the 19-member U.S. Girls Youth National Volleyball Training team.

The roster will be trimmed to 12 following this weekend's training sessions in Chula Vista, Calif.

The U.S. team will compete at the FIVB Girls Youth World Champions July 3-12 in Thailand.

Palmer is listed as a 5-foot-11 libero who has orally committed to Texas.

Hogue headlines QB Club

Tomorrow's meeting of the Honolulu Quarterback Club will have a PacWest flavor, featuring four speakers from the conference.

PacWest commissioner Bob Hogue, Brigham Young-Hawaii assistant athletic director Scott Lowe, Chaminade AD Bill Villa and Hawaii Pacific AD Darren Vorderbruegge will be among the speakers. They will introduce a few of their athletes, including Lucas Alves and Latoya Wily of BYUH and Layne Morita of Chaminade.

The University of Hawaii will be represented by track and field coach Carmyn James along, with athletes Annett Wichmann and Amber Kaufman.

Former UH linebacker Solomon Elimimian will make a special appearance.