Maui's Victorino gets starting nod

ST. LOUIS » National League manager Charlie Manuel picked one of his own Phillies players, Shane Victorino of Maui, to start in center field at the All-Star game.

The Gold Glove winner will play in place of injured Carlos Beltran of the Mets.

“;I wanted a guy that ... was a true center fielder to put out there,”; Manuel said.

Victorino will bat seventh.

Maekawa 22nd at Public Links

Sean Maekawa of Paauilo shot a 1-over-par 72 in the opening round of the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship yesterday in Norman, Okla.

Maekawa is six strokes behind leader Nick Taylor and part of a group of 15 players tied for 22nd entering today's second round of stroke play. The low 64 scorers advance to the match-play portion of the tournament, which begins tomorrow.

Former University of Hawaii golfer Ryan Perez is tied for 37th after shooting a 73. Stephen Zane of Kula shot 79.

Hawaii surfers still in the hunt

Two Hawaii surfers remain in contention at the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.

Roy Powers and Kekoa Bacalso won their first-round heats to advance in the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour event. Fred Patacchia was eliminated by Australia's Kai Otton in the second round. Torrey Meister and Dustin Barca lost in the first round.

Powers defeated Jihad Khodr 8.16 to 5.80 and Bacalso defeated Ryan Payne 15.83 to 11.0 in the first round.

UH athletes earn academic honor

Four Hawaii athletes were named to the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic team.

Annett Wichmann and Emily Sheppard made the team for the fourth time. Jessica Custance earned her third honor and Amber Kaufman made the list for the first time. To qualify, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25 and met the NCAA regional or national qualifying standards in their events.

Menehune roll past Alii in HCBL

Jason Okamoto went 3-for-4 and scored three runs and the Kauai Menehune defeated the Hawaii Alii 8-1 in a Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League game yesterday at Central Oahu Regional Park.

Erik Wallace struck out six over six innings to earn the win for the Menehune.