Defensive lineman Leota stars at Fresno City

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Whichever school gets Iakopo "Jacob" Leota (Waipahu '00) for football, it will have a defensive lineman "who doesn't know what quit means," Fresno City College coach Tony Caviglia says.

"He had a great year, the best D-lineman on our team," Caviglia said. "He is also one of my favorite players, very sincere."

Leota, a sophomore, was second-team All-Central Valley Conference. He took a recruiting trip to Hawai'i, but has not been offered a scholarship.

Leota's younger brother, Jeremiah Leota (Waipahu '01) was a reserve outside linebacker for Fresno. Outside linebacker Chris Williams (McKinley '02) suffered a high-ankle sprain about midseason. "We are counting on him next season," Caviglia said.

Freshmen Tafa Samuela (Waipahu '02) and Benito Reyes (Farrington '01) split time at nose guard.

Arthur Isa (Kaimuki '98) was a reserve running back "and my assistant coach on the field," Caviglia said.

Fresno finished 9-2, ranked No. 11 by J-C Grid Wire, and has won 38 games the past four years.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

• Missouri Valley

Sophomores Megan Fong (Roosevelt '01 of Wahiawa), Maricris Sierra (Nanakuli '01) and Kayla Richie (Mililani '01) all started last week.

Fong, a season-long starter at point guard, and shooting guard Sierra scored career highs of 17 and 16 points. Richie, a small forward, scored nine in her debut.

Junior Carleen Hardin (Sacred Hearts '00 of 'Aiea) and freshman point guard Jasmine Dias ('Aiea '02), who was promoted from the junior varsity, give Hawai'i five players on coach Bill Wolf's varsity. The bad news is that the injury hobbled Lady Vikings are 0-22.

MEN'S SOCCER

• Emory (Atlanta).

Senior Douglas Crowley (Punahou '99 of Wilhelmina Rise) found time in his pre-med studies to back up attacking central midfielders for three years.

Crowley "was a very technical and intelligent player and he had some really good games near the end of the year, when we went 5-1-1" to ensure Emory's 17th winning season in 19 years, coach Mike Rubesch said. Crowley had three assists in 10 games off the bench.

• Seattle Pacific

Senior goalkeeper Adrian Cravalho (Kamehameha '98 of Mililani) got a shutout in his final game and only start of 2002.

• Yuba (Calif. JC)

The first goal in the collegiate career of Artie Ferreira (Baldwin '02) was a monster. It gave Yuba its first-ever victory over American River, "a monster team," coach Jason Spain said.

Ferreira, playing left midfield, scored a total of five goals and "transitioned well from high school to college," Spain said. "He worked hard in the weight room, got a lot bigger and stronger, and deserved what he earned."

Jonathan Lam (McKinley '02) was a reserve attacking midfielder.

VOLLEYBALL

• Taft (Calif. JC)

Sophomore setter Chayna Tesoro (McKinley '01) ranked seventh among players at California's 84 community college teams in assists with 11.14 per game and was selected first-team Central Valley Conference.

"She played every serve of all 102 games, more than any other setter in the state," coach Kanoe Bandy said.

Sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Kapesi (Radford '01) fought through a painful foot injury.

Freshman libero Burgandi Borges (Roosevelt '02) "finished the season as our strongest defensive player," Bandy said, while freshman hitter Jamie Tsubaki (Kaimuki '02) "was our most improved player."

• Yuba (Calif. JC)

Sophomore Deena Young (McKinley) started at outside hitter, hitting .269, and was backed up by freshman Johnna Morita (McKinley).

"They both have very good ball control. It must be all the years growing up on the beach passing a volleyball around," coach Thea Post said.

Young developed into a strong attacker from the back row, Post said, and was usually first server because of her "excellent float serve."