ISLE FILE
UH fifth in national cheerleading

Advertiser Staff

The University of Hawai'i placed fifth at the Universal Cheerleaders Association national championships in Orlando, Fla.

The event will be shown on ESPN in March.

In November, UH won the West Regional, which stretches from Texas to Hawai'i, to earn one of 24 berths in the championship event.

Jamey Gossett and Tina Kuribayashi placed 11th nationally in the partner stunt competition.

Kentucky placed first, followed by Central Florida, Alabama and Louisiana State.

Only 12 of the 21 UH cheerleaders receive tuition waivers. No other athletic scholarships are offered to the squad, which performs at more than 50 UH sporting events each year. In addition, the cheerleaders participate in community service.

"I'm really glad that all of their hard work and dedication paid off in the end," said co-coach Erika Buder-Nakasone, who shares duties with Kellie Mikami.

Team members are: Eric Allen, Melanie Aurio, Jason Dela Cruz, Matt Dillon, Roddy Gonzalez, Jamey Gossett, Sheena Jackson, Eric Johnson, Tina Kuribayashi, Mike Melillo, Bo Ng, Linda Nguyen, Rae-Ann Ogino, Stacy Pak, Ludia Park, Loren Parodi, Angela Rodriguez, Leslie Sanchez, Henry Santos, Adam Williams and Anthony Williams.

BASEBALL

• UH-Hilo loses two: Aaron Parker and Brett Wedding combined on a three-hitter as Sonoma State beat Hawai'i-Hilo, 4-3, to sweep a season-opening doubleheader Tuesday at Wong Stadium.

Parker gave up two hits, three unearned runs and struck out eight over the first five inning.

Wedding struck out one over the final two innings.

Sonoma State won the opening game, 5-3.

The teams played another doubleheader yesterday.