Posted on: Friday, February 20, 2004

ISLE FILE
Pipeline steals show at surf meet

Advertiser Staff

The $75,000 Hansen's Energy Pro meet began yesterday and the star of the show was the huge surf at Pipeline on O'ahu's North Shore.

Swells rose to 15 feet in what observers called the best day at Pipeline this winter.

"Crazy. That was just crazy," said Marcus Hickman, who emerged as the top surfer after posting scores of 8.17 and a perfect 10.

Hale'iwa's Jamie Sterling, a finalist in last year's meet, said Pipeline is special.

"There is always fear involved in riding this place, no matter how familiar you are with it," said Sterling, who had a 9.0 ride. "But look at it ... it's classic Pipeline. It's my favorite place in the world."

Other top performers included Tamayo Perry, Evan Valiere, Peter Mendia, Anthony Walsh, Tom Dosland and Mike Dodd.

GOLF

• New Mexico leads Burns: New Mexico, ranked 17th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index, leads 10th-ranked UNLV by a shot going into today's final round of the John Burns Intercollegiate.

The Lobos shot 11-over-par 288 yesterday at Leilehua Golf Course and have a two-day total of 555. The Rebels are at 276—556 and 28th-ranked Arizona at 272—557. The defending champion Wildcats shot yesterday's low round.

Host University of Hawai'i is tied for last in the 20-team field, at 296—593. UH-Hilo is 17th (293—586), followed by its B team at 294—591.

After sharing the first-round lead, New Mexico's Spencer Levin shot a 7-under 65 yesterday to move into first alone at 132. Arizona's Henry Liaw (64) is a shot back, followed by UNLV's Ryan Moore (65—135) and Cal's Peter Tomasulo (69—136).

Hilo's Brandon Abreu (68—138) is tied for sixth and UH-Manoa's Matt Kodama (70—14) tied for 14th.

The final round tees off at 7:30 this morning.

BASKETBALL

• Chaminade holds on: Dustin Mittlesteadt scored 15 points and four other Silverswords scored in double figures as Chaminade held off Montana State-Billings, 82-78, last night in a Pacific West Conference game at McCabe Gym.

Jason Walters added 12 points, Roy Stigall and Donald Rogers had 11 each, and Scott Metcalf had 10 for the Silverswords (8-12 overall, 5-5 PacWest).

Buddy Windy Boy scored 25 points for Montana State Billings (15-9, 6-7).

• UH-Hilo romps, 101-59: Ryan Abrahams scored 21 points to lead three teammates in double figures as Hawai'i-Hilo cruised past Western New Mexico, 101-59, last night in a Pacific West Conference game at Afook-Chinen Civic in Hilo.

Alex Cabagnot added 19 points, Justin Griffin 14 and Ryan Hogue 10 for the Vulcans (14-7 overall, 6-5 PacWest).

Matt Enriquez scored 13 points to lead Western New Mexico (7-16, 4-9).

WEIGHTLIFTING

• Yamauchi wins junior title: Hawai'i's Bryce Yamauchi won the 56-kilogram (123-pound) division of the National Junior Weightlifting Championships at Itasca, Ill., last week.

Yamauchi won the snatch and clean and jerk and had the highest total combined score of 207.5 kilograms (467 pounds), which qualified him for the USA Junior World Team.

Chani Matsui finished third in the girls 48-kilogram (105-pound) class.