Isle File
McKinley grad close to gaining eligibility

Advertiser Staff

Football coaches at the University of Washington are anxiously awaiting final summer grades at City (junior) College of San Francisco.

So is Francisco Tipoti, a 1999 McKinley High graduate who was rated the No. 1 junior college offensive lineman in the nation last season.

Washington signed Tipoti, who is 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, in February and immediately penciled him into their tentative starting lineup even though he would not be at spring practice.

Tipoti could not transfer from CCSF to Washington until he earns his associate of arts degree. At the end of the spring semester, he was three classes short.

So Tipoti attended summer school in San Francisco. He earned an A in English and passed a health course, but did not complete a speech class.

Tipoti said he needs to retake a test and has prepared some extra-credit work, but the instructor has been on vacation.

"I'm pretty sure if I talk to him, I'll be able to get the grade," Tipoti told Ted Miller of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Freshmen and first-year players report at Washington on Aug. 14, and Tipoti's speech instructor returns from vacation Aug. 3.

Linebacker Joseph Lobendahn of St. Louis School and offensive lineman William Kava of Iolani, both Advertiser all-state players last season, will be among the freshmen at Washington. Senior linebacker Ken Walker of Moanalua returns.

MEETINGS

• QB Club: Head coach June Jones of the University of Hawai'i football team will be the featured speaker at the club's weekly meeting, Monday, at the Pagoda International Ballroom.

Jones will give an overview of the upcoming season.

Lunch ($7) is at 11:30 a.m., followed by the program at noon.

Also speaking will be new UH swim coach Mike Anderson and Outrigger Canoe Club coach Kahau Kali.

For more information contact Al Minn at 261-5143

TENNIS

• Sacksteder cited: Randy Sacksteder of the Wailea Tennis Club on Maui was named a Master Racquet Technician by the United States Racquet Stringers Association.

The MRT designation is the highest certification a racquet sports retailer can receive. Sacksteder passed an exam covering all facets of racquet service, including how to install strings, how to select the optimum racquet for every player, and how to re-size handles, re-grip racquets and customize weight and balance.

BOWLING

• Hoopii wins scholarship: Holly Hoopii of Honolulu was awarded a $750 scholarship for her fifth-place finish at the USA Junior Gold National Bowling Championships on July 14 in Reno, Nev.

Hoopii was one of 200 athletes competing in the event, and earned one of six spots on the 2002 Junior Team USA. She is the first junior bowler from Hawai'i to be selected for a national team.

GOLF

• Kelly qualifies: Brooks Kelly shot a one-over-par 145 (74-71) at the Ko Olina Golf Club to qualify for the 101st U.S. Amateur Championship, Aug. 20-26, at Atlanta.

Kelly is a junior at Texas Tech University.

CAMPS

• Wahine volleyball: The Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Camp features two more sessions for girls and boys entering grades 4-12.

University of Hawai'i coach Dave Shoji, his staff, and current and former players will conduct the camps.

The next session is July 30-Aug. 2, and the following is Aug. 4-7. Both will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Registration fee for each camp is $130. Dormitory and meal service is available for the final camp, for $375.

Campers will be put in beginning, intermediate or advanced levels.

For more information, call 956-6229 or (888) 982-2697 toll-free from Hawai'i or the Mainland.