Other Hawai'i athletes

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

WOMEN'S SOCCER

• Washington

Washington forward Erin Otagaki has overcome an ankle sprain to score two game-winning goals. University of Washington photo

Otagaki (Punahou '97) figured to be an important player in Washington's Pac-10 championship defense, but a left-ankle sprain in preseason practice had rendered her a nonfactor in the Huskies' first nine games; three brief substitute appearances.

She is still coming off the bench, but Otagaki was a game-winning factor as Washington opened the Pac-10 season with a 2-1 victory over Washington State and a 1-0 triumph over then 15th-ranked California.

"Not being able to do things you were able to do, hurts your confidence," Otagaki said. "It's extremely hard not being able to go at 100 percent, but I had to take it day by day."

In both Pac-10 wins, she intercepted a defender's attempt to clear the ball in the box, collected and punched the ball past the goalkeeper, from 8 and 10 yards.

After the first game-winner, Otagaki said she thought, "I can score! I can do that! It was awesome to score that goal."

Otagaki "had a great season last year, and she is one of our most skilled and crafty and innovative players," coach Lesle Gallimore said. "She hasn't been starting and has shown real maturity by not sulking and making the most of the opportunities she gets."

• Western Oregon

"Within a year," coach Rod Fretz predicts, "Erin Ota will be a dominant player at this level (NCAA Division II) ... the player other teams are worried about."

Ota, a 2001 Maryknoll graduate from Kane'ohe, already is "throwing something different at defenses than what they're expecting" with her "ability to throw a feint one way and go the other," Fretz says.

He described a "beautiful goal" Ota scored last week against Western Baptist when she burst between two defenders 40 yards from the goal, dribbled just inside the penalty box, drew the goalkeeper off line and off balance, and slotted the ball into the net, inside the post, from 18 yards.

Later in the game Ota's cross from the end line, after drawing two defenders out, led to the first collegiate goal by another true freshman from Hawai'i, Carly Mamizuka of Kahuku.

Sophomore Moani Mundo (Castle '00) had played every minute of all 15 games in goal this season until she strained a knee ligament in a collision last week. She missed most of last season with a separated shoulder.

Mamizuka and Julia Takashita (Kailua '01), who were defenders in high school, are first off the bench at outside midfield.

• Western Washington

Junior captain Shaye Anderson (Parker) of Kamuela splits time at goalkeeper. She has allowed 1.43 goals per game and stopped 77.8 percent of opponents' shots.

MEN'S SOCCER

• Bradley

Fifth-year senior goalkeeper Nate Adams (Iolani '97) was chosen Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday for the second time this season.

Adams faced 41 shots in two games and allowed one goal, scoring his fourth shutout. In addition to 12 saves, he had 23 catches and punches. His season goals-against average is 1.27 and he has saved 77 percent of the shots at him.

After seldom playing behind an All-American for three years, Adams has led Bradley to a 9-4-1 record and No. 4 ranking among two dozen NCAA Division I teams in the Midwest region.

"He's made long strides this year," coach Jim DeRose says. "He's gotten a lot better in handling crosses and long balls into the penalty area. He is a good shot stopper and very good with his feet."

Adams will graduate in December as an honors student in business.

• Creighton (Nebraska)

Sophomore Andrew Brown (Mililani '00) figured to be the starting goalkeeper next year, but his time came early when Creighton's senior starter was injured in the third game this season.

Brown has a 1.62 goals-against average and three shutouts in his last five games. He had 12 saves in consecutive shutouts last weekend. Brown says playing against teams like unbeaten, No. 1-ranked Southern Methodist, which he held scoreless for a half, has "built up my confidence."

• Linfield (Oregon)

Senior Shanon Hopkins (Hilo '98) was chosen Northwest Conference Player of the Week after he scored both goals in a 2-0 victory that ended first-place Whitworth's unbeaten streak at 11 games. Hopkins, a 2000 all-conference player, had three goals over the weekend.

• Graceland (Iowa)

Shareef Wang (University '00/Pac Five) is starting at left defender and coach Ivan Joseph says his determination has made him "an instrumental cog" in the Yellowjackets' bid for a Heart of America Conference championship.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL

• Idaho

Senior Mindy L. Marques (Waimea '98) of Kalaheo, Kaua'i, has moved into the career top 10 list in digs for the Vandals with 839. A four-year starter at defensive specialist, Marques is averaging 2.37 digs per game this season with 10 double-digit dig matches. Marques needs 11 more aces to crack that top-10 career list.

But more than statistics, coach Debbie Buchanan says Marques is a team leader in "intangibles ... She is the type of inspirational player that every successful team needs."

WOMEN'S WRESTLING

• National rankings

Clarissa Chun (Roosevelt '99), a junior at Missouri Valley College, is No. 1 at 101.25 pounds (46 kg) in the preseason list of TheMat.com U.S. Women's Wrestling College Rankings. Chun is ranked No. 2 on the USA Wrestling Women's National Team.

Other ranked Hawai'i wrestlers are:

101.25 pounds (46 kg)—8, Candice Takumatsu, University of Hawai'i (club team) junior.

112.25 (51 kg)—3, Katie Kunimoto (Castle '99), Pacific (Ore.) junior.

123 (56 kg)—6, Jill Remiticado (Iolani '99), Pacific junior.

149.75 (68 kg)—6, Stephanie Bolton (Radford '00) of 'Ewa Beach, Cumberland, Ky., sophomore; 7. Hillary Broad, University of Hawai'i; sophomore.

165.25 (75 kg)—3, Donnell Bradley (Radford 1999), Missouri Valley; junior.

JUDO

Taylor Takata (Iolani '00) finished second in the men's 60-kilogram division and Olympian Amy Tong of San Jose State placed third in the women's 78-kilogram division at the IMCA America U.S. Open Judo Championships in Las Vegas.

Takata has put his San Jose State education on hold after being invited to train full-time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.