ISLE FILE
UH in ESPN's basketball event
Advertiser Staff
The University of Hawai'i is one of nine 2002 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament teams that will take part in ESPN's inaugural 2003 "Bracket Buster Saturday" series.
The games will be played Feb. 22 at school sites with ESPN and ESPN2 airing five of them. Four other games will be shown regionally, officials said.
Although UH officials said they expect to play at UC Santa Barbara, the matchups for all but one of the nine games will be officially announced Feb. 3 when it will also be disclosed which games will get network coverage.
ESPN, which will pair teams in consultation with the conferences, said it will take into account geographic considerations, records and rankings in making the matchups.
Other teams involved are: Ball State, Bowling Green, Creighton, Detroit, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Illinois-Chicago, Illinois State, Kent State, Louisiana Tech, Marshall, Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois, Tulsa, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
UH coach Riley Wallace said the Rainbows will have to move their previously schedule game with Fresno State at the Stan Sheriff Center to accommodate the appearance. He said UH is asking the Bulldogs to play here on Dec. 7, 8 or 9 instead.
The idea behind the concept is to enhance the RPI and visibility of teams beyond the so-called "big six" conferences.
The RPI rankings, which are based upon record and strength of schedule, are a major component in the selection committee's process.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Players Championship Sunday: The Fifth Annual Aqua Hotels Players Championship volleyball tournament is Sunday from 8 a.m. until sunset at Queen's Beach in Waikiki.
Tournament organizers are expecting up to 32 teams, including players from past and present University of Hawai'i men's and women's volleyball teams.
The double-elimination tournament is part of the Hawai'i Volleyball Beach Circuit.
There also will be free entertainment.
BODYBOARDING
Free clinics offered: The Association of Women Bodyboarders is holding two free bodyboarding clinics this month.
The clinics are:
- Tomorrow, 1-3 p.m., at Waikiki Walls
- Aug. 24, 1-3 p.m. at Sandy Beach.
For more information, call 638-1149 or go to the Web site www.bodyboard.org/2002schedule-clinics.html.
CLIFF DIVING
Lana'i to host world's best: Some of the world's top cliff divers have been invited to participate in the Red Bull Cliff Diving competition Aug. 31 at Kaunolu, Lana'i.
Invitees include defending champion Orlando Duque and 2000 winner Dustin Webster.
Participants will be diving from a height of 80 feet into a mere 25 feet of water.
The divers will be evaluated by five international judges based on take-off, positions in the air and water entrance.
There is $15,000 in prize money, with $3,600 going to the winner.
For details go to www.redbullcliffdiving.com.
FISHING
Big finale for Billfish: A total of five fish were tagged and released yesterday, the third day of the 43rd Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament off Kailua, Kona.
At least 11 fish were lost.
Hilo Yacht Club, which earned all its points on Monday, narrowly retains the lead at 600 points. Port Hacking Game Fishing Club is in second place also with 600 points.
According to tournament rules, in the case of a tie the team that earns points earliest in the tournament receives the higher ranking.
The tournament wraps up today. The public is invited to weigh-ins at Kailua Pier starting at 4 pm.ÊFor more information call (808) 329-6155 or go online at www.konabillfish.com.
GOLF
Seki Jr. ties for ninth: Hawai'i's Jim Seki Jr. shot a 1-under 71 and finished tied for ninth yesterday at the 36th Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at Chula Vista, Calif.
Seki had a 54-hole total of 1-under 215 and finished four shots behind winner Brock Mackenzie, of Yakima, Wash., who shot 70—211 at the San Diego Country Club.
Matthew Kodama shot a 70—224 as Hawai'i placed 11th in the Morse Cup team competition with a 438 total. Northern California won the team title with a 424 score.
SOCCER
Youth tryouts statewide: The U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, or ODP, is holding Island District Tryouts during the months of August and September.
Players must attend one of the district tryouts — on the Big Island, Kaua'i, Maui and O'ahu — and be selected to the district team pool to qualify for the Hawai'i State Tryouts.
The tryouts consist of four 2¥-hour sessions over one weekend, for a $100 fee. A confirmation letter will be sent upon registration indicating field locations, session times and player responsibilities.
The Hawai'i State Tryout is held on O'ahu. Players must attend the Hawai'i State Tryout and be selected to the Hawai'i State Team Pool to qualify for the Region IV Camp. The state tryouts will be conducted by a national, regional and collegiate coaching staff. This will be held March 23 through 26, 2003. Tryouts will consist of eight sessions over four days. The fee is $125.00.
Dates and sites:
- Kaua'i (Aug. 10 and 11)
- Big Island/Hilo (Aug. 17 and 18)
- O'ahu (Aug. 24 and 25)
- Maui (Aug. 31 and Sept. 1)
For more information, call ODP administrators Herb and Michelle Schreiner, 395-1771 or 381-3674, or check out www.hawaiisoccer.com.
SWIMMING
Roughwater clinic: A clinic for participants of the Waikiki Roughwater Swim will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. Aug. 17 at Duke Kahanamoku Beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The clinic will offer tips on ocean swimming with demonstrations with an emphasis on the Waikiki Roughwater Swim course.
Joe Lileikis and Rick Heltzel, past winners of the event, will conduct the clinic.
For details, visit www.WaikikiRoughwaterSwim.com.
WATER SPORTS
Waterman Challenge: The Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Waterman Challenge will be held Aug. 24 in conjunction with the dedication of the Kahanamoku stamp.
The event is from 3-5:30 p.m. on the beach fronting Kali'a Bay and the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The challenge is three events — huki huki (tug of war), surfing and canoe race.
Teams scheduled to compete include C&K Beach Service, Waikiki Beach Activities, Outrigger Canoe Club, Honolulu City and County Lifeguards and Los Angeles Lifeguards.
The Waikiki Beach Activities is host of the event, in association with the Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Ho'olaule'a.
For more information, call 951-4088.
HOW TO REACH US
Sports editor:
- Curtis Murayama 525-8017, e-mail: cmurayama@honoluluadvertiser.com
Assistant sports editors:
- Clyde Mizumoto 525-8006
- Bart Asato 525-7454
