Posted on: Friday, August 6, 2004
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ATHLETES
O'ahu youth hockey team wins nationals
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Advertiser Staff
Da Kine, a 12-and-under inline hockey team, became the first team from Hawai'i to win at the USA Inline Hockey Championship.
The O'ahu Inline Hockey League select team won the Stripes 12-under division Saturday at Alpharetta, Ga., by defeating Team Majik (Ga.), 7-2.
"They went crazy," coach Ken Larson said. "I don't know if they were more excited to win or shave my beard off."
At nationals, it tied its first match and then lost the second before winning the next five to win it all.
Eric Tsuji recorded 18 goals and five assists in those seven games.
Also, Tsuji and Hawai'i's Chambray Macalino (17-and-under) both won the fastest skater awards in their respective divisions while Manini Wahine (17-and-under girls) and Team O'ahu (17-and-under boys) won the Team Sportsmanship Awards for their respective divisions.
O'ahu Inline Hockey League sent four teams to the tournament, Kaua'i Inline Hockey League sent two while West Hawai'i Hockey had one.
Da Kine members: Mike Friel, Chelsea Friel, Max Graessle, Shelby Graessle, Ethan Ho, Cameron Kakuda, Shane McDougal, Roy Ogasawara, Eric Tsuji, John Whitty IV, Shea Young. Coaches: Ken Larson, Michael Friel.
MARTIAL ARTS
Garcia takes gold at championships
Garcia, 52, won the gold in the sparring competition of the senior men lightweight division.
"IÊwas blown away and didn't expect to capture the gold," Garcia said. "I felt especially proud after learning that my final competitor wasÊthe coachÊof another team." The event, held June 23 to 25, featured more than 400 fighters from 23 countries competing in the world's largest Filipino martial arts stick fighting competition. It is held every two years.
Garcia, who took up stick fighting six years ago after practicing different forms of martial arts, competed for Team USA, which won 60 medals, including 33 golds.
Garcia qualified for the team after winning silver medals at the regional and national championships.
Garcia went on to win another gold at the World Invitational Arnis Championships on June 27, also in Cebu City.
Youthful cowboys place at national event
Two local competitors advanced to the final round of their events for the first time in state history in the National High School Finals Rodeo at Gillette, Wyo.
Judd Napier, a recent graduate of Waipahu High School, finished seventh in the steer wrestling. He was awarded a buckle and $400 scholarship. Kala'i Nobriga, a senior at Konawaena, finished 11th in calf roping in his third national appearance. In 2002, he was third in the boys cutting horse event. More than 1,500 athletes from 45 states, Canadian provinces and Australia competed in the tournament from July 18 to 25. Hawai'i had 22 competitors.
Robert Garcia of Honolulu won a gold medal at the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Championships at Cebu City, Philippines.
RODEO
