Merkle leading state stroke play

Two-time high school state champion Kristina Merkle had a one-stroke lead heading into today's second round of the HSWGA Hawaii State Women's Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Mid-Pacific Country Club.

Merkle, an incoming senior at Moanalua High, carded a 1-over 73. Defending champion Katie Sisler (Punahou '07), who plays for UC Davis, was a stroke back at 74.

The tournament concludes tomorrow.

Golfers trail at Junior PGA

Kamehameha's Alika Bell was seven strokes back and Britney Yada of Waiakea 13 behind going into today's second round of the Junior PGA Championship at Maineville, Ohio.

Bell carded a 2-over 74, well off the pace of boys leader Kramer Hickok. Yada shot an 80 to trail girls leader Alexis Thompson (67).

Former Big Island resident Kimberly Kim, coming off a runner-up performance at the U.S. Girls Amateur, was tied for fifth after shooting a 2-under 70.

American Legion title to Kailua

Tyson Lono drove in three runs and Jared Iha two to lead Kailua to a 14-5 victory over Mid-Pacific in the American Legion State Tournament title game at Kailua High on Monday.

Alika Ramseyer-Ho, who had a double and scored twice in the final game, was named the MVP as well as the batting champion. Mid-Pac's Dane Fijinaka was named the most inspirational.

Kailua advances to the Western Regional in Fairfield, Calif., that begins today.

Hilo wins junior state event

Keoni Chiquita drove in four runs to lead Hilo to a 10-0 victory over Aiea-Halawa in the championship of the Little League Junior League state tournament at Hans L'Orange Park.

The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run-rule. Drew Kell, Quintin Torres-Costa and Kean Wong combined to one-hit Aiea-Halawa.

Hilo, which went undefeated in the tournament, advances to the West Regional in Aliso Viejo, Calif., which begins Monday.

MacCorquodale on Pan Am team

Hawaii's Emma MacCorquodale will represent Canada at the Pan American Junior Championships, which start Friday in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.

MacCorquodale won the hammer throw at last week's Canadian Junior Championships to earn a spot on the team. She topped the 13-athlete field with a throw of 168 feet, 7 inches.

MacCorquodale's best as a freshman for the Rainbow Wahine last season was a 173-7.

Tennis players earn all-academic

Nine Hawaii Pacific tennis players and two from the University of Hawaii were named ITA Scholar-Athletes yesterday.

Honored from the HPU women's team were Anastasiya Ageychik, Lauren Shin, Tinka Mihova, Aleksandra Stankovic, Sandra Wikstrom and Zora Vickova, and Hendrik Bode, Jonathan Lee and Daniel Luedi from the men's team.

UH's honorees were Sascha Heinemann and Andreas Weber. Both Warriors were also Western Athletic Conference all-academic.

Athletes must have at least a 3.5 GPA to be considered.

Basketball event for Beasley fund

A 3-on-3 mixed open basketball tournament to benefit the Tatiana Beasley Memorial Fund is scheduled for Aug. 15 at the Papakolea Community Gym.

Beasley, a former Roosevelt High all-star, was killed last week in a freeway accident. For more information, call Ikaika Beasley at 215-7219 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).