ISLE FILE
Prize money a lure for paddlers
Advertiser Staff
In this age of millionaire athletes, $20,000 isn't much for a sporting event.
But for canoe paddlers, that's $20,000 more than they would normally get.
That's why most of the state's top paddlers are entering tomorrow's Steinlager Kaua'i World Challenge, which is offering a $20,000 purse.
"It's definitely the main reason why we're going," said state solo champion Karel Tresnak Jr. "Normally, we wouldn't go to Kaua'i for a race because of the cost. But if there's a chance to make some money instead of losing money, you have to try it."
The race is primarily for one-person canoes (there is also a division for two-person canoes). However, each open division team will consist of two paddlers.
The 34-mile course will feature four separate legs. Each paddler on the team will paddle two legs.
The first leg is five miles from Wailua Beach to Hanama'ulu; the second is five miles from Hanama'ulu to Kalapaki; the third is 12 miles from Kalapaki to Po'ipu; the final leg is 12 miles from Po'ipu to Salt Pond.
Tresnak is paired with Maui Kjeldsen. Other contending teams from Hawai'i in the men's division include Kai Bartlett and Aaron Napoleon, Thibert Lussiaa and Bill Pratt, and Mike Judd and David Beck. Teams from California, Tahiti and Australia are also in the field.
"The money is a big draw," Bartlett said. "It pretty much is bringing out the best of the best."
Bartlett has been practicing off Kaua'i all year, and hopes to use it to his advantage. He paddles for Lanikai Canoe Club, but his parents live on Kaua'i.
"I've basically been paddling around Kaua'i for a while now so I feel like that can only help," he said.
Top contenders in the open women's division include Lauren Spalding and Noe Sawyer, Jane McKee and Paula Crabb, Kelly Fey and Patsy Vasquez, and Donna Kahakui and Cheryl Villegas.
The winning open teams (both men and women) will receive $2,500. The remainder of the $20,000 will be split among the age division winners.
SWIMMING
Chen, Bloch honored: Yan Chen and Cheyne Bloch were named University of Hawai'i's swimmers of the year at the team banquet Monday at Outrigger Canoe Club.
Chen, a sophomore from China, broke UH records in the 200-meter butterfly and the 200 and 400 individual medley.
Bloch, a junior from Wailuku, Maui, broke his own UH records in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and in the 200 individual medley. He also helped set school marks in three relay events.
Freshman Michael Sheldt, who drowned during a UH practice earlier in the season, was honored with a Coaches Award.
Other awards—All-America: Bloch and diver Mike Gowdy. Divers of the year: Maggie Roberts and Gowdy. Outstanding performances: Jessica Affleck and Andrew Affleck. Outstanding seniors: Morgan Hoesterey and Lance Fujioka. Coaches award: Katie Clewett and Michael Sheldt. Rookies of the year: YingJuan Zhen and Peter Thew.
BASEBALL
Hilo splits doubleheader: James Onaga pitched a three-hit shutout to lead the University of Hawai'i-Hilo to a 3-0 victory over Sacramento State in the first game of a doubleheader at Sacramento, Calif., yesterday.
Onaga struck out two and walked one in seven innings. Scott McLaughlin hit a two-run double in a four-run first for the Vulcans (9-34).
Sacramento State (25-18) won the second game, 7-2. Tim Reimer went 2-for-3, including two RBIs for the Hornets.
SOFTBALL
Sing Chow honored: Hawai'i-Hilo freshman Leo Sing Chow earned her second Pacific West Conference Player of the Week honor after pitching two consecutive shutouts last week.
Sing Chow was the winning pitcher in two 1-0 Vulcan victories over Azusa Pacific. In those two games, she struck out 11 batters and walked no one.
