But before their college success, the members of the Class of 2001 helped lead Baldwin to its first state titles in school history: in soccer, softball and swimming.

"We saw the success of our classmates," said Rowe, who missed advancing to the finals of the 200-meter breaststroke at the U.S. Olympic trials by .96 seconds. "When I saw the girls soccer team or the softball team win championships, it really inspired me that maybe a little public school on Maui could win states. I really think we all helped each other in a way."

Rowe, who is interning for Hawai'i congressman Ed Case in Washington, D.C., helped lead Baldwin to a state championship as a junior. He finished his prep career with five individual titles and helped the Bears set then-state meet records in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.

Growing up together

Rowe said he played soccer with Suzuki, and he swam against Eldredge when they were younger.

Eldredge said she knew when she was younger that her classmates were good athletes.

"I've known all these kids since we were really little because we were always playing against each other," said Eldredge, who was named to the Easton All-America first team this past season.

She played basketball and soccer against Suzuki, basketball with Garbin, and grew up playing on the same softball teams with Tabion.

"The first time we actually faced each other was this year in a tournament (in Hawai'i)," Eldredge said of Tabion.

"It's just fun to see everyone do good, representing Maui, themselves and their school," said Eldredge, who helped lead Cal to the national championship in 2002.

She teamed with Tabion their senior year to help capture Baldwin's first state softball championship. She was named The Advertiser's Player of the Year, and Tabion was chosen Pitcher of the Year.

"Everybody knows your successes in sports, that is kind of motivating," said Tabion, who was a three-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week honoree this season.

Tabion said the strength of the youth programs on Maui helped her and her classmates, which includes wrestler Grant Nakamura and boxer Dat Nguyen, advance athletically. But their success after high school remains a mystery to her.

"It is kind of a phenomenon, but we can't pinpoint it, really," said Tabion, who helped Hawai'i win its first Western Athletic Conference softball title in school history last year.

A class with class

Suzuki, an Advertiser All-State first team selection as a senior, also couldn't quite explain how his classmates have prospered in college.

"I don't know what was so special about it, but it was one of those classes that had people who were successful," said Suzuki, who is in Vancouver, B.C., with the Oakland Athletics short-season Class A team. Suzuki was selected in the second round, 67th overall, of the Major League Baseball draft.

"It was one of those freak things," said Suzuki, who helped Cal State Fullerton capture the national championship this year and was named Big West Player of the Year. "Especially from a small island like Maui."

He was named to six All-America teams and received the Johnny Bench Award as the nation's top college catcher.

"When you're growing up, you kind of know who the top athletes are ... we grew up with each other," Suzuki said. "Playing against good competition ... none of us wanted to lose ... so you played harder."

Staying in touch

But they have maintained a bond throughout their college careers.

Garbin, Eldredge and Rowe all participate in the Pac-10 Conference, and try to meet up when their schools play each other.

Garbin said Eldredge sent her a Cal softball shirt, and she wore it when the Golden Bears played Oregon.

"All the softball girls in Oregon get mad at me because I'm supporting Cal," said Garbin, who was an all-conference second team selection this past season.

Garbin helped Baldwin become the first Neighbor Island team to win a state championship in soccer in her junior year — the same night Baldwin won the state title in boys swimming — and then repeated in her senior year. She was a two-time Advertiser Player of the Year.

Garbin said she was thrilled watching Suzuki on ESPN in the College World Series.

"The whole time I couldn't shut up, whoever was watching the game, I was like, 'That's my friend, the catcher,' and they would be like, 'OK, Nicole, shut up, we've already heard it,' " she said. "But I was just so proud of him."

She said throughout high school, the athletes were always supportive of each other.

Rowe said he believes their success in high school was a direct reason for their success in college.

"It gave us the opportunity to go to college, because of our athletic accomplishments," he said.

But he can't explain the success they had in high school.

"A lot of the right things happened at the right time, and boom!" he said.