ISLE FILE
Big waves at Banzai cause havoc
Advertiser Staff
An energized Banzai Pipeline took the spotlight on the opening day of the Hansen's Energy Pro yesterday.
Treacherous waves of 6 to 12 feet led to several crushing wipeouts and at least six broken surfboards as the first round and half of the second round were completed yesterday.
Garrett McNamara of O'ahu's North Shore advanced through two heats but said it was not an easy day.
"It's a real brutal wave, Pipeline," McNamara said. "A bit hazardous. It can weed out a lot of people real quick."
Other surfers advancing through two heats yesterday were Jason Federico, Kamalei Alexander, Aamion Goodwin, Evan Valiere, Ola Eleogram, Marcus Hickman, Titus Kanehe and Jamie Sterling.
Kainoa McGee, who is more noted for his bodyboarding skills, won his first-round heat, as did Joel Tudor, who is more noted for his longboarding.
Kaua'i's Rochelle Ballard, the only female in the field, was eliminated in the first round.
The top seeded surfers, including defending champion Bruce Irons, have byes until the third round.
The contest is expected to continue today, conditions permitting.
WATER POLO
• UH women win: Kristy Bagnall and Shannon Carroll scored two goals each to lead the University of Hawai'i women's water polo team to a 7-4 victory over UC Irvine yesterday at the Anteater Aquatic Center in Irvine, Calif.
It was the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation season opener for the No. 9-ranked Rainbow Wahine. Hawai'i improved to 2-3 overall
Karin van Hoff, Erin Kocher and Beth Novick scored the other goals for Hawai'i. Goalkeeper Amber Lumb had four saves, and shut out the Anteaters in the crucial fourth quarter.
UC Irvine, which is ranked No. 18, dropped to 4-5 overall and 0-2 in the MPSF.
Hawai'i will play another MPSF match today at No. 2 UCLA.
SOFTBALL
• HPU earns 5-2 win: Centerfielder Jamie Reyes drove in four runs and pitcher Malia Sullivan threw a three-hitter as the Hawai'i Pacific softball team defeated Montana State-Billings, 5-2, in a Pacific West Conference contest yesterday at HPU's Windward Field.
HPU catcher Anuhea Diamond batted 2 for 2 in support of Sullivan, who pitched a seven-inning complete game.
Sullivan, a junior righthander, allowed two earned runs, three walks and struck out one.
The second game was suspended in the top of the fifth inning because of rain .
The game will be continued today at noon with Montana State-Billings leading 5-2.
That game will be followed by a doubleheader between the two teams.
The Sea Warriors improved to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the Pacific West Conference.
The Yellowjackets dropped to 0-3 and 0-1.
TENNIS
• Senior sign-ups: The deadline to register for O'ahu's Senior League is March 5.
Individuals wanting to join a team should call 848-4532.
Teams are made up of players rated from 3.0 to 4.0.
