HONOLULU – Chris Chun, executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) is pleased to announce that Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has been named the title sponsor of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Soccer State Championships and the official hospitality partner of the HHSAA.

 “Outrigger Hotels and Resorts is a long-time supporter of our island communities, and we are excited that they have joined forces with HHSAA as a corporate sponsor,” said Chun. “Outrigger and HHSAA share the same views on the importance and benefits of athletic opportunities for our youth, which makes this a great partnership.

 “The entire Outrigger ohana is excited to support Hawaii’s youth through this partnership with HHSAA,” said David Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group “We value the role of athletics in teaching our keiki about teamwork, sportsmanship and taking pride in our community.”

“This year Outrigger celebrates its 65^th anniversary of providing hospitality services to kamaaina and travelers from across the globe,” Carey continued. “An integral part of our company culture has always involved giving back to our island communities, and we are excited to add the sponsorship of HHSAA and the HHSAA Soccer State Championships during this milestone year.”

The girls’ championship game is scheduled for February 1 – 4, 2012, and features Division I and II tournaments consisting of 12 teams each. The boys’ tournament takes place two weeks later, February 15 – 18, 2012, with a 12-team Division I bracket and an eight-team Division II bracket. Both girls and boys tournaments are held at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex on Oahu.

Eight of the girls and boys soccer matches will be televised to a statewide audience live on OC16 and to a worldwide audience streaming online at www.oc16.tv.

About the HHSAA

The HHSAA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) and the governing body of high school athletics, consisting of 97 public and private high schools statewide and its more than 30,000 student-athletes. Each year, the HHSAA operates 44 state championship tournaments including unique championships to the state of Hawaii such as outrigger canoe paddling and judo.

Held Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 in Hilo      LONG COURSE — NINE MILES

1. Steve Blyth 1:13:29  2. Thibert Lusiaa 1:13:56  3. Keakua Nolan 1:14:58

4. Jeff Silva 1:15:06  5. Nick Agorastos 1:15:19  6. Peter Olson 1:18:24

7. Puni Freitas 1:18:47  8. Afa Tuaolo 1:18:50  9. Aaron Napoleon 1:19:09

10. Chad Cabral 1:19:41  11. Gerard Pila 1:19:43  12. Trey Cox 1:20:00

13. Aaron Makaimoku 1:20:01  14. John Husak/Cheryl Villegas 1:21:12

15. Israel Gonzales/Kapua Sawyer 1:22:37  16. Grant Kojima 1:22:44  17. Theron Ogata 1:22:51

18. Jeremy Padayao 1:22:58  19. Harald Barkhoff 1:23:00  20. Ken Tanaka 1:23:56

21. Robert Olson 1:24:08  22. Ina Ynignes 1:24:43  23. Nathan Grocholski 1:24:51

24. Kaiea Cann 1:24:52  25. Tyde Spencer 1:25:28  26. Terrence Andrade 1:26:00

27. Mike Dowsett 1:26:16  28. Dane Enos 1:26:18  29. Keone Au 1:27:21

30. Freddie Berengue/Carolyn Strawn 1:29:00  31. Zack Judd 1:29:55

32. Stan Cann 1:31:01  33. Terry Neubert/Diane Neubert 1:31:06

34. Nicola Koyama 1:31:29  35. Sheila Cadaoas 1:33:11  36. Daniel Legler 1:33:31

37. Rafael Flores 1:36:07  38. Heather Kimball 1:36:46  39. Keven Rinkenbach 1:37:56

40. Christina Williams 1:42:08  41. Michael Haring 1:43:28  42. James Hanley DNF

SHORT COURSE — 5.5 MILES

1. Dallas OShaughnessy 49:18  2. Bob Bruce/Richard Everett 49:46  3. Koa Paolo 52:14

4. Stephen Arnett 52:52  5. Joe Marengi 52:56  6. Sean Arellano 53:43

7. Elrdridge Shay 54:11  8. Mel Pauole 54:21  9. Maitland Akau 54:49

10. Jonah Kalima 55:11   11. Chris Grogan 55:14  12. Leslie Woods &Teri Fomg 55:18

13. Noelani Spencer 55:26  14. Keoki Kama/Shannon Hardy 55:45  15. Jeff Clemenson 55:55

16. Ryan Tanner 56:09  17. Maile Leslie 56:35  18. Kerry Long 57:10

19. Kimberlee Rowe 57:19  20. Peter Sulliban 57:21  21. Craig Allind 57:25

22. Dave Kermott 57:31  23. Leilani Shackelford 57:46  24. Susan Lallane/Sue Shaw 57:54

25. Ryan Nakamura 58:23  26. Beverly Tuaolo 58:36  27. Kapua Christiansen 58:43

28. Kalae O’Shaughnessy 59:00  29. David Lipp 59:14  30. Michael Shintaku 59:17

31. Glen Bousquet 59:28  32. Lorrin Ching/Veronique Poli 59:29

33. Nolan Chock 59:47  34. Patricia Eames 59:54  35. Leah Winkler 59:56

36. Michelle’ Padayo 1:00:28  37. Jolene Hughes 1:01:18  38. Ron Reilly 1:01:57

39. Kolina Chao 1:02:16  40. Marty Orlando 1:02:19  41. Jennifer Tanner 1:02:24

42. Apryl Sasaki/Gena Bonaccorsi 1:02:57  43. Leslie Crawford 1:03:39

44. Shannon Au 1:03:47  45. Ilona Higgins 1:04:13  46. Tracy Lewis/Neils Christensen 1:05:20

47. Kimberly Schneider 1:05:35  48. Lloyd Van Der Car/Diana Van Der Car 1:06:32

49. Pete Hendricks 1:09:24  50. Shannon Cornwell 1:11:05  51. Catherine Shannon 1:15:18

JUNIOR RACE — TWO MILES  1. KalaI Hardy/Shannon Hardy 28:16

2. Aulike Kaiawe/Wendell Kaiawe 28:33  3. Tatelyn Spencer/Apryl Sasaki 30:13

STANDUP PADDLEBOARDS — 5.5 MILES  1. Kainoa Hauanio 1:07:10  2. David Okita 1:09:52

3. Pono Kodani 1:10:45  4. Roland Shackelford 1:11:57  5. Kanani Yockman 1:21:54

Pavao

The Big Island Road Runners newly elected board  met and elected officers for 2012:  President: Steve Pavao, MHRD, Vice President: Norbert Furumo, Ph.D., Treasurer: Andrew Langtry, CPA, Secretary: Lee Colliins-Otani  Directors: Virginia Alderson and Rick Otani

 The Big Island Road Runners recently elected its slate of officers for 2012.  The new President is a long time member of the organization and a veteran runner, Steve Pavao.  Steve is the Executive Director of the Brantley Center in Honoka’a and was on the board of the BIRR from 2009-201. He was the President in 2010.  He has run over 30 marathons including Boston in 2009 and New York in 2011.  Norbert Furumo is a  UH-Hilo professor in physics and comes from a running family.  His wife Kimberly Furumo also a UH professor is an avid runner as are their children.  Andrew Langtry is a Certified Public Accountant that is new to running and training for his first marathon.  Lee Collins-Otani is a teacher at Waiakea High and is an avid runner and swimmer.  She has completed many triathlons to include the Kona Ironman.   

Hilo Aquatic Club/Hilo HS HY-TEK’s MEET MANAGER 3.0 – 4:47 PM 1/21/2012 Page 1

BIIF Swimming & Diving – 1/21/2012                        Results

#3 Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay  BIIF League: 1:49.95$ 2002

J. Bartolome, C. Kaapu-Lyons, N. Okuna, T. Binek

2:00.79 QUAL QUALIFYING   2:07.27 CONS CONSIDERATION Team R elay Finals Time

1 HILO-HI A 1:59.47 QUAL Ichinose, Sharae K 16 Tsuha, Beth M 16  Pitoy, Shea Q 16 Carlson, Ginger H 16

2 HPA-HI A 2:02.81 CONS Nihipali, Anu H 16 Cuartero, Jellian 16

Luciani, Bhillie D 16 Parkin, Hannah C 13

3 KEAL-HI A 2:10.96 Tomlinson, Naomi A 16 Jesser, Chenoa B 16

Thomas, Anna E 16 Somsanquansit, Sarah 14

4 WHS A 2:12.54 Paulachak, Kara Ombac, Katrina Jobes, Jayna Shimizu, Rachel

#4 Boys 200 Yard Medley Relay  BIIF League: 1:40.32$ 2007

P. Greenwell, D. Coakley, N. Garrett, M. Hamilton  1:47.89 QUAL QUALIFYING

2:00.39 CONS CONSIDERATION   Team R elay Finals Time

1 WHS A 1:46.40 QUAL Kuwaye-Tamanaha, Ren Rimando, Brandon

Hu, Christopher Causey, Campbell

2 HILO-HI A 1:46.43 QUAL Weller, Kepa K 17 Kubo, Christian K 16

Kamimura, Jordan Hamane, Cody K 15

3 HPA-HI A 1:49.60 CONS Domingo, Sean F 17 Anderson, Jake M 14

Tarnas, Kulan 17 Magoon, Carson K 18

#5 Girls 200 Yard Free BIIF League: 1:54.28$ 2008 Krista Maier

2:02.63 QUAL QUALIFYING  2:05.52 CONS CONSIDERATION

Name Ag e Team Finals Time

1 Hill, Lauren WHS 2:04.50 CONS

2 Santos, Malia A 17 KEAL-HI 2:05.61

3 Jobes, Jayna WHS 2:06.71

4 Flores-Oishi, Coco WHS 2:09.15

5 Bryant-Manago, Mari s1s4a KEAL-HI 2:13.58

6 Yoshida, Erin WHS 2:15.84

7 Scholfield, Camille WHS 2:16.10

8 Rickets, Camille 17 KONA 2:20.76

#6 Boys 200 Yard Free  BIIF League: 1:44.84$ 1981 Kimo Guerrero

1:49.52 QUAL QUALIFYING  1:57.39 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Foo, Ky H 17 KEAL-HI 1:49.53 CONS

2 Hill, Adam WHS 1:52.56 CONS

3 Kohashi, Jensen WHS 2:12.28

4 Sako, Gavin WHS 2:15.12

5 Zampathes, Dimitri HON 2:15.15

6 Manzo, Daniel KEAL-HI 2:27.20

#7 Girls 200 Yard IM BIIF League: 2:09.62$ 2002 Marlene Yafuso

2:19.59 QUAL QUALIFYING 2:24.25 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Hauanio, Madison-Ga i1l 6KKEAL-HI 2:11.91 QUAL

2 Jernigan, Cara N 16 KEAL-HI 2:17.37 QUAL

3 Tsuha, Beth M 16 HILO-HI 2:17.75 QUAL

4 Ichinose, Sharae K 16 HILO-HI 2:20.26 CONS

5 Camacho, Leahi K 15 KEAL-HI 2:20.89 CONS

6 King, Akemi WHS 2:22.24 CONS

#8 Boys 200 Yard IM BIIF League: 1:59.01$ 2000 Thomas Sanford

2:06.39 QUAL QUALIFYING 2:14.47 CONS CONSIDERATION

*1 Kuwaye-Tamanaha, Ren WHS 2:03.82 QUAL

*1 Domingo, Sean F 17 HPA-HI 2:03.82 QUAL

3 Hamane, Cody K 15 HILO-HI 2:10.13 CONS

4 Hu, Christopher WHS 2:17.54

#9 Girls 50 Yard Free  BIIF League: 24.21$ 2002 Tamarah binek

25.90 QUAL QUALIFYING   26.59 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Uekawa, Madisyn WHS 24.84 QUAL

2 Hauanio, Phoenix-Cla u1d4iaK KEAL-HI 25.37 QUAL

3 Jernigan, Kelly M 18 KEAL-HI 25.91 CONS

4 Imoto, Paula KS-H 25.95 CONS

5 Somsanquansit, Sarah 14 KEAL-HI 25.98 CONS

6 Shimizu, Rachel WHS 26.55 CONS

7 Krzyska, Kiana KS-H 26.64

8 Cuartero, Jellian 16 HPA-HI 26.92

#10 Boys 50 Yard Free  BIIF League: 20.64$ 2006 Daniel Coakley

23.15 QUAL QUALIFYING    23.79 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Uy, Dane K 16 HPA-HI 22.62 QUAL

2 Williams, Quintin C 17 KEAL-HI 22.71 QUAL

3 Anderson, Jake M 14 HPA-HI 23.03 QUAL

4 Rimando, Brandon WHS 23.17 CONS

5 Causey, Campbell WHS 23.33 CONS

6 Hill, Adam WHS 23.35 CONS

7 Kamimura, Jordan HILO-HI 23.66 CONS

8 Tarnas, Kulan 17 HPA-HI 23.93

BIIF Swimming & Diving – 1/21/2012

Results

(#10 Boys 50 Yard Free)

24 Christie, Kenny C 15 HPA-HI 26.83

25 Ho, Michael R 15 HPA-HI 26.99

26 Poai, Kingston WHS 27.73

27 Kalaukoa, Isaiah KS-H 31.54

28 Zampathes, Dimitri HON 35.85

#11 Girls 100 Yard Fly  BIIF League: 57.86$ 2002 Nicole Okuna

1:03.19 QUAL QUALIFYING   1:07.49 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Camacho, Leahi K 15 KEAL-HI 1:02.51 QUAL

2 Jernigan, Kelly M 18 KEAL-HI 1:03.15 QUAL

3 Santos, Malia A 17 KEAL-HI 1:04.38 CONS

4 Luciani, Bhillie D 16 HPA-HI 1:06.03 CONS

5 Flores-Oishi, Coco WHS 1:09.51

6 Thomas, Anna E 16 KEAL-HI 1:10.49

7 Scholfield, Camille WHS 1:10.56

8 Jobes, Jayna WHS 1:11.47

#12 Boys 100 Yard Fly BIIF League: 51.59$ 2010 Logan Borowski

57.28 QUAL QUALIFYING 59.99 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Foo, Ky H 17 KEAL-HI 56.01 QUAL

2 Uy, Dane K 16 HPA-HI 57.11 QUAL

3 Hu, Christopher WHS 59.28 CONS

4 Anderson, Jake M 14 HPA-HI 1:01.46

5 Gonzales, Aaron WHS 1:04.59

#13 Girls 100 Yard Free BIIF League: 53.29$ 2004 Tamarah Binek

56.31 QUAL QUALIFYING   58.81 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Tsuha, Beth M 16 HILO-HI 53.46 QUAL

2 Uekawa, Madisyn WHS 53.51 QUAL

3 Hauanio, Madison-Ga i1l 6KKEAL-HI 54.30 QUAL

4 Hauanio, Phoenix-Cla u1d4iaK KEAL-HI 56.08 QUAL

5 Shimizu, Rachel WHS 56.21 QUAL

6 Jernigan, Cara N 16 KEAL-HI 56.59 CONS

7 Imoto, Paula KS-H 56.63 CONS

8 Somsanquansit, Sarah 14 KEAL-HI 58.04 CONS

#14 Boys 100 Yard Free  BIIF League: 46.79$ 2007 Daniel Coakley

51.13 QUAL QUALIFYING   53.15 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Causey, Campbell WHS 50.44 QUAL

2 Rimando, Brandon WHS 51.08 QUAL

3 Hill, Adam WHS 51.26 CONS

4 Bisel, Ryan K 15 HILO-HI 51.37 CONS

5 Tarnas, Kulan 17 HPA-HI 51.66 CONS

6 Williams, Quintin C 17 KEAL-HI 51.72 CONS

7 Kubo, Christian K 16 HILO-HI 51.95 CONS

8 Weller, Kepa K 17 HILO-HI 53.92

#15 Girls 500 Yard Free  BIIF League: 5:03.28$ 2008 Krista Maier

5:27.69 QUAL QUALIFYING   5:40.09 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Camacho, Leahi K 15 KEAL-HI 5:28.31 CONS

2 King, Akemi WHS 5:29.90 CONS

3 Hill, Lauren WHS 5:33.47 CONS

4 Jobes, Jayna WHS 5:34.32 CONS

5 Santos, Malia A 17 KEAL-HI 5:44.38

6 Bryant-Manago, Mari s1s4a KEAL-HI 6:08.68

7 Jesser, Chenoa B 16 KEAL-HI 6:18.42

8 Ongais, Kayla M 17 HILO-HI 6:19.60

#16 Boys 500 Yard Free  BIIF League: 4:49.28$ 1980 Kimo Guerrero

5:05.09 QUAL QUALIFYING    5:22.58 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Foo, Ky H 17 KEAL-HI 4:52.35 QUAL

2 Domingo, Sean F 17 HPA-HI 5:03.51 QUAL

3 Kamimura, Jordan HILO-HI 5:03.64 QUAL

4 Sako, Gavin WHS 5:57.90

5 Manzo, Daniel KEAL-HI 6:39.31

#17 Girls 200 Yard Free Relay  BIIF League: 1:40.71$ 2002W. Nekoba, N. Okuna, M. Yafuso, T. Binek

1:46.39 QUAL QUALIFYING   1:53.10 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 KEAL-HI A 1:41.23 QUAL Hauanio, Madison-Gail K 16 Jernigan, Cara N 16

Jernigan, Kelly M 18 Hauanio, Phoenix-Claudia K 14

2 HILO-HI A 1:45.57 QUAL  Pitoy, Shea Q 16 Tsuha, Beth M 16

Ichinose, Sharae K 16 Carlson, Ginger H 16

3 HPA-HI A 1:47.74 CONS  Cuartero, Jellian 16 Parkin, Hannah C 13

Luciani, Bhillie D 16 Nihipali, Anu H 16  4 KS-H A 1:49.67 CONS

Imoto, Paula Plunkett, Kawai  Trusdell, Acacia Krzyska, Kiana

5 KONA A 2:10.34 Rickets, Camille 17 Linden, Cameron 14

Lugo, Miranda 15 Albrecht, Sarah

#18 Boys 200 Yard Free Relay  BIIF League: 1:29.35$ 2010

K. Nakachi, K. Katase, R. Ross, L. Borowski

1:37.29 QUAL QUALIFYING   1:43.11 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 KS-H A 1:38.12 CONS Higa, Jacy Akao, Jed Paulino, La’a Hulse, Cooper

2 HILO-HI A 1:39.41 CONS Bisel, Ryan K 15 Hamane, Cody K 15

Orr, Patrick Kubo, Christian K 16

#19 Girls 100 Yard Back BIIF League: 59.59$ 2012 Madison-Gail Hauanio

1:04.09 QUAL QUALIFYING 1:08.00 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Hauanio, Madison-Ga i1l 6KKEAL-HI 1:01.32 QUAL

2 Ichinose, Sharae K 16 HILO-HI 1:02.16 QUAL

Hilo Aquatic Club/Hilo HS HY-TEK’s MEET MANAGER 3.0 – 4:47 PM 1/21/2012 Page 3

BIIF Swimming & Diving – 1/21/2012 Results   (#19 Girls 100 Yard Back)

3 Kawakami, Kasey WHS 1:04.52 CONS

4 Jernigan, Kelly M 18 KEAL-HI 1:06.89 CONS

5 Hauanio, Phoenix-Cla u1d4iaK KEAL-HI 1:07.15 CONS

6 Paulachak, Kara WHS 1:07.89 CONS

7 Parkin, Hannah C 13 HPA-HI 1:08.10

8 Twigg-Smith, Hannah 1R5 HPA-HI 1:08.86

#20 Boys 100 Yard Back  BIIF League: 53.57$ 2010 Kaikea Nakachi

58.59 QUAL QUALIFYING  1:02.69 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Uy, Dane K 16 HPA-HI 58.57 QUAL 2 Kuwaye-Tamanaha, Ren WHS 59.04 CONS

3 Bisel, Ryan K 15 HILO-HI 59.71 CONS 4 Weller, Kepa K 17 HILO-HI 1:06.67

5 Mendes, Lance WHS 1:06.70 6 Sako, Gavin WHS 1:17.14

7 Christie, Kenny C 15 HPA-HI 1:17.97 8 Poai, Kingston WHS 1:23.11

#21 Girls 100 Yard Breast BIIF League: 1:05.77$ 2012 Madisyn Uekawa

1:12.29 QUAL QUALIFYING 1:14.67 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Jernigan, Cara N 16 KEAL-HI 1:10.10 QUAL

2 Nihipali, Anu H 16 HPA-HI 1:13.72 CONS

3 Pitoy, Shea Q 16 HILO-HI 1:14.55 CONS

4 Hill, Lauren WHS 1:15.27  5 Torigoe, Katie WHS 1:18.57

6 Thomas, Anna E 16 KEAL-HI 1:19.94  7 Wyrick, Sarina 14 SJS 1:21.21

8 Jesser, Chenoa B 16 KEAL-HI 1:23.15

#22 Boys 100 Yard Breast BIIF League: 58.61$ 2010 Peter Chi

1:05.19 QUAL QUALIFYING  1:07.73 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 Rimando, Brandon WHS 1:03.28 QUAL

2 Domingo, Sean F 17 HPA-HI 1:03.69 QUAL

3 Hamane, Cody K 15 HILO-HI 1:03.93 QUAL

4 Causey, Campbell WHS 1:04.93 QUAL

5 Kamimura, Jordan HILO-HI 1:07.36 CONS

6 Anderson, Jake M 14 HPA-HI 1:07.81

7 Tarnas, Kulan 17 HPA-HI 1:08.39

8 Williams, Quintin C 17 KEAL-HI 1:09.42

#23 Girls 400 Yard Free Relay  BIIF League: 3:41.82$ 2001

M. Rivera, T. Binek, M. Yafuso, N. Okuna  3:56.19 QUAL QUALIFYING

4:15.99 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 WHS A 3:47.49 QUAL Shimizu, Rachel Kawakami, Kasey

King, Akemi Uekawa, Madisyn

2 KEAL-HI A 3:55.71 QUAL Santos, Malia A 17 Somsanquansit, Sarah 14

Bryant-Manago, Marissa K 14Camacho, Leahi K 15

3 KS-H A 4:04.74 CONS

Krzyska, Kiana Plunkett, Kawai Trusdell, Acacia Imoto, Paula

4 WHS B 4:43.15 Belcher, Carly Flores-Oishi, Coco

Kamahele, Dacey Shinde, Courtney    — HILO-HI B X4:36.91

#24 Boys 400 Yard Free Relay BIIF League: 3:18.74$ 2007

N. Garrett, I. Cristobal, M. Hamilton, D.Coakley

3:33.89 QUAL QUALIFYING   3:52.06 CONS CONSIDERATION

1 KS-H A 3:46.67 CONS Higa, Jacy Paulino, La’a Akao, Jed Hulse, Cooper

2 WHS A 3:47.02 CONS Gonzales, Aaron Sako, Gavin Peng, Patrick Sako, Dane

WHS coach

Stealth was the key word at Waiakea as the Big Island Interscholastic Federation wrestling season continued on Saturday, with the public school Warriors trying to avoid detection of their talented team.

“We’re trying to fly under the radar and not let the other schools know what we have,” Warrior coach Preston Sato said.Waiakea is the defending boy’s team champion in BIIF wrestling, but are attempting to disguise what they might have as the season heads into its final weeks.

“We continue the coaching philosophy of our former coach, Patrick Marquart, who believed in discipline and the entire program is modeled after him.” Sato said,Marquart coached the Warriors from 1996 to 2001 according to Sato and Coach Sato along with assistant coach, Nick Galloway, wrestled for the legendary Warrior coach.Galloway, a 2003 and Sato, a 2001 graduate of Waiakea have both returned to continue as mentors.

“Coach Marquart always helped us become better wrestlers and as a result become better people in life,” Galloway said.  “He had a great program which we try to emulate today.”Haraguichi

“We carry 16 boys and 7 girls and defending the league title will be a lot tougher this season, Coach Stan Haraguchi said.  “It will come down to who wants it more, who works the hardest and who has the fewest injuries.”MaglintiLeading the Warrior boys is senior Jordan Maglinti at 152 pounds who won his opening match against a Pahoa opponent by a score of 11-1.“I haven’t lost a match this season as I go for just the basic moves of double leg and half nelson,” Maglinti said. “I’m not a great wrestler, I’m just okay and all these other kids work hard too.”Despite his undefeated BIIF season Maglinti, a senior, believes that he needs to work harder at practice to be able to contend for the league championship.“I just want to wrestle as hard as I can and if I win or lose it doesn’t matter, as long as I tried my best,” he said. Ikehara

Also flying under the radar for Waiakea is Alan Ikehara a tenth grader in his first year of wrestling.

Ikehara, 140, won his opening match against a Hawaii Preparatory Academy opponent by putting him in a half then pressing his weight down to get the second round pin.

“I took him down in the first period then put him in a reverse leading into the half,” Ikehara said.  “My double leg take down works well, but I still need to work on the single leg.”

Ikehara, a surfer, goes into every match with a positive attitude as his dad; a former high school wrestler encouraged him to enter the sport.

“I go onto the mat to try to win every match and I always try to do the best that I can,” he said,

Keoni Rice, at 135, adds to the Waiakea firepower and remains undefeated in league competition.

“I’m 7-0 and today I bumped up to 140 for better competition,” Rice said.  “I try to take advantage of my opponent’s weaknesses and faults.”

Rice, a junior, ran cross country during the off season and believes the transition to wrestling has helped.

“Cross country has helped me stay in shape and develop more stamina,” he said.  “Wrestling also helped my running because of the high intensity of the sport.”

Louis

For the Warrior girls there is no hiding Tanalei Louis who comes in as the state runner up at 125 pounds and is undefeated in BIIF competition.

Louis faced stiff opposition in Kamehameha’s Noelle Pohina and used a barbed wire move to secure the pin in the second period to move her league record to 15-0.   The two combatants had faced each other last season for the BIIF championships with Louis again coming out on top.

“Everything is going as planned at this point in the season,” Louis said.  “Noelle probably gave me my toughest match so far this season.”

Louis has never been in serious trouble this season as she has fluctuated between 125 and 130 pound weight divisions.

“My dad helps me a lot in my wrestling as he wrestled for Hilo High when he was in high school,” Louis said.  “My dad is my biggest supporter and I appreciate his always being there for me.”

Waiakea Teammate Skye Matsuura, 120, dropped a close match to Kamehameha’s Phoebe Oda by a score of 10 to 4.  The loss dropped the sophomore to a 3-4 season record

“My mom made me come out for wrestling as she is a black belt in judo,” Matsuura said.  “I’m glad I joined as I like it now as it is a good sport.”

Matsuura believes she still needs to work on building muscle and getting in better shape.

“I need to work on my cardio and my staying in position before matches,” Matsuura said.  “My stand up works good as I fight for hand control.”

Waiakea hosted the day long all schools meet which showcased some of the best wrestlers on the island

“It’s very difficult to coach and host a wrestling tournament,” Coach Stan Haraguichi said.  “Fortunately I have a good staff and great kids.”

BIIF action continues on Saturday with a East meet at Hilo and the West meet at HPA.  Both venues begin at 10 am.

Vos with rescue dog

Sometimes it’s unusual circumstances that bring people together and with part time Volcano resident Sandy Vos nothing could be truer.

I recently met Vos at the Howling Holidays run/walk in Paradise Park as she was walking to the starting line with a dog that had a bandana wrapped around it that said, “Adopt me.”

Vos, who was offered to walk with a dog by Rainbow Friends, had just met her animal moments before stepping up to the starting line.

“Rainbow Friends gave me a lovely young female that had been found badly injured on the side of the road near Volcano,” Vos said.

Vos believes the dog was a hunting animal that was mangled by a wild pig and then left to die.

Rainbow Friends had nursed the dog back to health and Vos was about to take her on a one mile walk before changing her mind.

“I didn’t plan to run her in the two mile race, but she had so much energy and I knew she wanted to go,” Vos said.  “I’ve never ran with a dog before but always wanted to do that. It was so much fun for the both of us.”

The decision by Vos to enter the two mile competitive race proved to pay big dividends.  They found themselves leading the race from start to finish and eventually winning in a time of 18 minutes and 50 seconds.

“She didn’t want to stop running and seemed to know exactly what to do,” Vos said.  “as she had an easy time keeping up as we went up and down the gravel road.” 

The dog was named Sheila, after the lady that found her, according to Vos. 

Relay results:  http://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/hilo-to-volcano-relay-team-results/

Five Star Bed and BreakfastWhat a better way to spend a wedding annivarary then to spend it at the Palms Cliff House Inn? 

Owners John and Michele Gamble are the very best of host and our experience will last a life time of memories. Following our jog up to Akaka Falls we were treated to a breakfast fit for a King and Queen. Other photos, click onto them to enlarge. 

Thank You John and Michele for a wonderful experience. 

Gerry Meryer

Gerry Meyer, a highly respected baseball coach for decades working with youth, high school and college players, has been selected the 2011 Big Island Sportsperson of the Year. A former star pitcher in his early days, he has spent countless hours helping young players hone their skills on the diamond, a positive trend that has continued for years and years.

Over the years there have been many sports legends that have left their mark on our island community.  One such baseball legend is Gerry Earl Meyer who I recently had the pleasure of meeting at the rededication of the ‘Wall’.

   Meyer had begun to make his mark during the late 1940’s and early 50’s as a basketball and baseball star for the Honokaa Dragons.

   “I was lucky enough to receive a baseball scholarship to Fresno State College,” Meyer said.  “Right out of high school I signed and played with the Tigers in the Hawaii baseball League in Honolulu before leaving for college.”

   In 1953 Meyer signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched in the California League.  “I injured my left index finger after the season and that ended my future hopes of going any further in professional baseball,” he said.

   Meyer returned to the Big Island in 1954 and pitched for the Hilo All-Stars Senior League against the Ed Lopat Major League All-Stars.

   “I pitched under coaches George Thompson with the Lincoln Wreckers and James Correa of the Puna Braves,” Meyer said.

   In 1955 Meyer got to be the starting pitcher against New York when the Yankees came to Hoolulu Park to play an exhibition game.

   During his illustrious career in sports Meyer had won a variety of honors and in 1960 reached the pinnacle of his pitching career.  While playing in the Hilo Baseball league Meyer pitched five consecutive shutouts in 102 innings of work and allowed only two earned runs for a remarkable 0.17 earned run average.

   “During that pitching string I was able to strike out 88 batters and walked 14,” he said.  Meyer finish the 1960 season with 12 wins and 2 loses with 121 strike-outs and a 0.32 ERA.

   Needless to say that Meyer received the Most Valuable Player Award for his stellar performance during the 1960 season.

  Four years later Meyer led the Hilo All-Stars to the first ever state championship.  “This was the first time an outside island team ever won,” Meyer said.  “Honolulu had dominated the baseball state title for a number of years, so this was a high point for us.”

   Throughout four decades Meyer had not only played sports but helped the community with his knowledge through coaching.

   “I helped organize the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) in Honokaa and I coached Little League baseball, boy’s basketball, women’s softball and men’s fast pitch softball,” he said.

   Meyer was also the assistant Varsity Baseball coach and assistant Junior Varsity basketball coach at Honokaa under head coaches Jackie Kitagawa and Harry Kim.

   “I’ve coached for over 40 years and with a number of different teams,” Meyer said.  “In 1976 I was President of the Hilo Junior Golf Association and together with Larry Tanimoto was instrumental in obtaining slots for Hawaii to the Junior World Golf Tournament in San Diego.”

   Meyer even coached three years at for the Hilo College Vulcans Baseball Team.  “I was the pitching coach for the Vulcans, from 1986 to ’88,” he said.  In those final two years the team made it to the College World Series in Idaho.”

  Along the way Meyer also coached a variety of talented Big Island Interscholastic Federation pitchers, two of which were named the BIIF Players of the Year.

   “I am honored to give of my time and the knowledge to all of the youngsters that have had the pleasure of working with and over the years two young pitchers, Aaron Correa and Charles Haasenritter were named players of the year in the BIIF,” Meyer said.

   Today the retired Police Sergeant continues to help whoever and whenever he can.  “I have parents and coaches that still call me for help,” Meyer said.  “I continue to give back to the community with my knowledge as I work with youngsters from age 9 to college.”

  Meyer has always believed in bringing young pitchers along slowly.  “I do not let my young pitchers throw any curves, it’s not necessary, so as not to ruin their career at a young age,” he said.

   There have also been difficult moments for Coach Meyer as he’s watched some of his players style of throwing changed in later development.  “There are times when it becomes very frustrating when coaches try to change the mechanics of the pitchers I work with and they will call me and tell me that they are confused and having a hard time,” Meyer said.

   Meyer is just one of the many fine examples of people that have been inducted into the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame’s mission is dedicated to honor, preserve and promote knowledge of significant accomplishments in sports within the County of Hawaii and those that have been selected, like Meyer, have put in countless years of expertise into helping promote a positive experience in sports participation.

The annual awards are part of the athlete of the month program sponsored by Don’s Grill, under owner Don Hoota. The athlete of the month as well as athlete and sportsperson of the year programs were founded by the late Jack Matsui. Wong, also the 2007 Big Island Athlete of the Year winner, and Meyer each received a plaque and a $100 gift certificate from Don’s Grill.

The monthly winners and athlete of the year are chosen by the program’s selection committee, which includes Costales, Hugh Clark, Goya and chairman Bill O’Rear. The sportsperson of the year is chosen from nominations submitted by the public.