Honoka'a's Tadio to play at E. Arizona

Advertiser Staff

Honoka'a's Erika Tadio yesterday accepted a basketball scholarship to attend Eastern Arizona (junior) College, where her roommate will be Heather Gonsalves (Kalaheo '01), a 6-3 1/2 transfer from Chicago State.

Tadio's last-minute scholarship was arranged by Doris Sullivan, director of student services for Hawai'i Sports Network's Academic Prep Academy, after Sullivan received a call for help from Eastern Arizona coach Bob Pruszynski.

Tadio, who earlier said she would attend Hartnell JC in California, switched because "this was a much better financial situation for me." Eastern Arizona is giving her $2,068 above her federal Pell Grant. The combination should cover tuition, fees, room and board, Sullivan said.

Tadio was hurriedly packing to leave tomorrow (she has to pay transportation herself); classes start on Monday.

Tadio was second-team all-state in 2000 and 2001. Gonsalves also will play volleyball at Eastern Arizona.

BASEBALL

Left-hander Kyle Nakamichi, who helped pitch Moanalua into the 2001 state baseball tournament, said he will attend Linfield (Ore.) because "it's a good academic school." Nakamichi had a 3.8 grade-point average.

Other Menehune on the move: First-team All-OIA East second baseman Geoffrey Say will attend Orange Coast (Calif.) Community College, second-team East shortstop Lorin Nakagawa is going to Porterville (Calif.) JC and pitcher Scott Batula is headed for Mesa State (Colo.), according to coach Scott Yamada.

SOCCER

First-team all-state midfielder Daniel Park of Pearl City High will attend Pacific University in Oregon, Pearl City coach Scott Keopuhiwa said. Park was co-Player of the Year in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Western Division.

Pearl City goalkeeper Jayson Nakakura is headed for Missouri Valley College, Keopuhiwa said.

TRACK & FIELD

Two-time state girls pole vault champion Nicolette Rowe (Hilo) will attend the University of Puget Sound. Rowe also was a two-time state bronze medal winner in the high jump and one of Hawai'i's best 1-meter divers. She compiled a 4.23 grade-point average, taking advanced placement classes at Hilo.

VOLLEYBALL

Add Kalaheo's Justin Pedrina to the list of players from Hawai'i who will help Missouri Valley College inaugurate its men's program as an outside hitter. He will join Rickey Estrada and David Hoke (Kamehameha), Chandon Chesebro (Hilo), setter Jacob Reis (Kalaheo), and Wade Miura (Wai'anae). Six of the 24 players on Missouri Valley's preseason roster are from Hawai'i.

Mesa State's women's team in Colorado will have a Hawai'i look, too. Katie Kamelamela (Sacred Hearts '01), a 6-foot-tall transfer from Chicago State, and Kehaulani Regidor, a 5-3 libero recruited from Kaua'i High, will join returning 5-11 junior hitter Rosa Masler (Maui '00).

Kamelamela must sit out a year, however, coach Rusty Crick said, because she left Chicago State before her one-year commitment was met.

Masler was selected Most Improved Player on Mesa State's basketball team last season.

SOFTBALL

Three-time All-KIF first baseman Erin Castillo (Waimea) will walk on at Hawai'i-Hilo. Long-ball hitter Castillo was first-team all-state in 2000 and made the state all-tournament team this year.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Big Island Player of the Year Branden Kawazoe (Waiakea), a second-team all-state selection, will attend Pacific University in Oregon.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story included a misspelled name for Heather Gonsalves.