"Sunshine is my real name — it's on my social security card," said Misa-Uli, a 2003 state champion in wrestling and Advertiser first-team All-State selection in basketball. "And anyway, Laosamoa means 'Sun of Samoa.'"

Even if it weren't her given name, Misa-Uli very likely would have been called "Sunshine" sooner or later.

"People are given their names for a reason, and that's the appropriate name for her," said Jenic Tumaneng, who coaches Misa-Uli on the Governors' volleyball and basketball teams. "It's ideal for her personality."

Farrington wrestling coach Charles Williamson agreed, saying Misa-Uli "lights up our team."

In a way, she has brightened Farrington's entire wrestling program, winning the Govs' first individual state title since Milton Yasunaga in 1973 and then coaxing three of her basketball teammates to come out for wrestling this season.

Now, Farrington enters today's state tournament as one of the favorites to take the girls team championship and Misa-Uli is the No. 1 seed and defending champ at 175 pounds.

Not bad for someone who took up the sport barely 16 months ago.

"Coach (Williamson) had been trying to get me to come out for wrestling ever since I was a freshman, but I didn't like the sport — I thought it was kind of funky," Misa-Uli said. "I never pictured myself wrestling. But last year I told him I would practice with the team for one day, and I did right after volleyball season. It was OK, so I just stuck it out from there."

'Fast learner'

Misa-Uli, already a gifted volleyball and basketball player, had the strength to compete in wrestling right away but was learning techniques from scratch.

"I was strong, but I didn't know any moves," she said. "But I got a lot better as the season went along, and I think I'm a fast learner, so that helped me out. But please believe me — I've still got a lot more to learn."

Misa-Uli learned enough last year to win the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship, and then the state title as a No. 3 seed. She won the championship match by pinning Hilo's Ashley Truchan in 4:24 after building a 7-0 lead.

"I was really surprised," Misa-Uli said. "I joined wrestling mainly to train and condition for basketball, and I told the coaches that once basketball started (in February), I was going to stop wrestling. But then they said, 'You've got a shot at states, so you should stick it out because you don't know how far you can go.' I was shocked I went that far."

Williamson, Tumaneng and others weren't as surprised.

"She's a different breed of athlete," Williamson said. "I knew that if she set her mind to it, she could do whatever she wanted."

Tumaneng said he doesn't mind sharing Misa-Uli's talents with the wrestling team.

"To me, anything to represent the school or community is good," said Tumaneng, himself a former multi-sport athlete at Farrington. "And she's so athletic, she can pick up things really fast."

'A whole new level'

Like any wrestler, however, Misa-Uli still had to put in her share of sweat. She said the training is unlike anything she went through in volleyball or basketball.

"Wrestling practice is way harder," she said. "It's a whole new level. But it's fun, too. My first year, I thought it was a weird sport ... but it can be satisfying because there's more pressure on you, and if you win, it's all on your own. It's hard work, but it's fun."

By season's end, Misa-Uli earned the respect of teammates and rivals alike.

"She's a heck of an athlete, and she's very strong," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. "You don't see a lot of basketball players wrestling, because usually the physiques are totally different. But Sunshine has a good work ethic and picked up the wrestling techniques, and she's mentally tough. She would be a great wrestler in college."

'Fitting in'

Misa-Uli hasn't completely ruled out college wrestling, but her favorite sport by far is basketball. She said she is considering offers from Western New Mexico, Northern Colorado and Northern Iowa, among others.

In the meantime, Misa-Uli will try to win another state title for the only high school she ever dreamed of representing.

"I had a chance to go to Punahou after sixth grade, but I had big plans to play for Farrington," she said. "My whole family went to this school, and all my friends are here. I think I fit in better here ..."

Misa-Uli paused, then smiled and reflected once more on her well-suited name.

"Then again, I'm very outgoing and talkative, as you can tell," she said. "I think I could fit in anywhere."