ISLE FILE
Hayes qualifies for surf meet in Tahiti

Advertiser Staff

Conan Hayes of Kailua, Kona, earned a spot in this week's Billabong Pro by placing second in the VZ Hinano Trials contest yesterday at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

In barelling waves of 6 to 8 feet, Hayes placed second to Tahiti's Vetea David. With that, Hayes and David earned spots in the Billabong Pro, which is otherwise restricted to surfers on the World Championship Tour.

Several other Hawai'i surfers competed in the trials but were eliminated, including Bruce Irons, Tamayo Perry and Pancho Sullivan.

Hawai'i surfers in the Billabong Pro as World Championship Tour competitors are Sunny Garcia, Andy Irons and Shane Dorian. Irons is currently ranked No. 1 on the 2002 tour.

GIRLS WATER POLO

HPA wins: Hawai'i Prep used intense defense to defeat Kealakehe, 11-8, Saturday and win the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship, in the league's inaugural tournament at Kailua-Kona Aquatics Center.

HPA junior goalkeeper Leala Humbert was chosen Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Humbert stopped a barrage of shots from league-scoring leader Ashley Rose and Sarah Varney.

Karly Kopra's defensive pressure on Rose outside and Meghan Nakamura's 2-meter defense also helped stifle the Waveriders' top-oriented offense.

Chrissy Castillo led HPA scoring Saturday with seven goals.

Shooting from the top by Lisa Takita (4 goals) and Kopra (3) and Paloma Vidgen's heady play in the 2-meter wing and hole areas also helped HPA.

Following the championship game, water polo Hall of Fame member Maureen O'Toole was introduced to make awards. Vigden jumped out of the pool, introduced herself to O'Toole, and said, "You are my idol."