Slotback Komine taking flight for UH

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Britton Komine is one University of Hawai'i football player who enjoys high-altitude conditions.

Komine, a slotback who attends UH on an Army ROTC scholarship, aspires to be a military pilot. He will be appointed a second lieutenant after earning his bachelor's degree in two years.

"I'd love to fly," said Komine, a third-year sophomore from Maryknoll High.

He already is ascending the Warrior depth chart. Komine had a promising spring practice in 2001, but struggled that season, when he lost his spot on the 60-player travel roster to Chad Owens.

But Komine made last week's trip to Brigham Young, scoring a touchdown, and practiced with the first team yesterday because of Owens' illness.

"He's played real well," UH coach June Jones said. Last year "he wasn't as consistent catching the ball and he wasn't as consistent making decisions as he is now."

Komine said he might have been frustrated after suffering a pulled left hamstring last season. He aggravated the injury in training camp last month, but fought through the discouragement .

"I came back a little more focused," he said. "I worked hard during the offseason. I just want to play."

Komine has found a balance among football, school and his military commitment. He is taking an ROTC class this semester and is scheduled to participate in leadership training next summer. He already has passed the Army's "300-point test" in which he had to do sit-ups, push-ups and a two-mile run during a specified time period. He said he completed 70 sit-ups in one minute, as well as 60 push-ups in the same amount of time.

Komine said he prepared by lifting weights at UH and running daily in Mililani Mauka.

Jones had enough confidence to feature Komine in a special play against BYU. With the ball at the BYU 1, right tackle Uriah Moenoa lined up to the left of left tackle Wayne Hunter, with Komine positioned as a tight end on the right of right guard Vince Manuwai. Quarterback Jason Whieldon rolled to his left, pirouetted and fired a scoring pass to Komine in the end zone.

"It was a good play," Komine said. "I knew I had to take my time and sell the run, and (Whieldon) threw the ball and I caught it."

NOTES: Hunter received stitches after suffering a gash on his chin. Center Lui Fuata replaced Hunter at left tackle and Derek Faavi played center for the remainder of practice. ... Cornerback Kelvin Millhouse, who did not practice Thursday, worked with the first team yesterday.