Isle File
Cheerleaders from UH earn national berth

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i won the Western Region of the National Cheerleaders Association competition, earning a berth in the national finals Jan. 10-12 in Orlando, Fla.

The region stretches from Texas to Honolulu. It was UH's fourth consecutive regional title. This year, the UH cheerleaders placed third at the national competition, the highest finish in the program's history.

Co-coach Erika Buder-Nakasone said her squad pieced together a remarkable performance in a short time. There are seven newcomers and five transfers on the 21-member squad, which had about a month to produce several routines totaling 3 1/2 minutes.

UH senior Jamey Gossett and junior Tina Karibayashi placed fifth nationally in the pairs competition.

BASEBALL

• Komine an All-American: Nebraska pitcher Shane Komine was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason All-America team, the organization announced yesterday.

The 1998 Kalani High graduate is Nebraska's only two-time All-American. He was drafted in the 19th round by the St. Louis Cardinals, but opted to return for his senior season.

Komine was 14-2 with a 3.35 earned run average last season when he pitched a school-record 131¡ innings. He also is a two-time Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.

SURFING

• Moody ousted: Sean Moody of Waialua was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Billabong World Junior Championship yesterday in 4- to 5-foot waves at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.

Australian Mick Fanning defeated Moody, 18.5-16.15.

Joel Parkinson of Australia defeated Fanning in the final to earn the $6,000 top prize. It was Parkinson's second world junior title in three years.

Moody, 18, earned $1,400 for his performance. The top 48 surfers under the age of 21 were invited to compete.