Warriors trimming football roster

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

At least five scholarship players have not been invited to the University of Hawai'i football team's training camp in August, according to information made available on the school's Web site.

Offensive tackles Mike Holt and Jonathan Ekno, defensive lineman Hiram Travis, and linebackers Donny Faaliliu and Preston Faraimo are among more than 20 players who competed in spring practice but are not listed on the current UH football roster. Faraimo has been with the Warriors for three seasons, and Travis, who can bench press 450 pounds, rejoined the Warriors in January after deciding not to play last season because of family reasons.

The five will remain on football scholarships for the coming academic year.

UH coaches needed to pare the roster to the NCAA limit of 105 for training camp, which begins Aug. 12.

The roster may expand on Aug. 26, the first day of UH's fall semester. The five scholarship players not invited to training camp might rejoin the team at that time, although by missing two-a-day practices they would not factor heavily in the Warriors' plans for the 2002 season.

UH has 75 players on its updated roster, including three members of the 2002 recruiting class — quarterback Jason Whieldon, running back John West and linebacker Marco Chavez. Twenty-two other players who signed in February will compete in training camp.

In addition, linebacker Watson Hoohuli, who did not participate in spring practice because of personal matters, and defensive tackle Isaak Sopoaga, a 2001 recruit who needed to earn additional credits this past academic year, are expected to be invited to training camp.

The remaining six roster spots will go to invited walk-ons.

Among the notable players not invited to return to training camp are Dan Berryman, a former punter who was expected to compete at safety; offensive tackle Charlie Dutra; running back Steve Mahelona, and linebacker Travis Barksdale, who played at Eastern Carolina in 2000.