Posted on: Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Perfect picker 'surprised' by win

Advertiser Staff

Of all the KSSK radio listeners, Ka'a'awa's Mitchell Naeole had to be one of the most intent ones Monday morning.

The radio show with hosts Michael Perry and Larry Price announces a weekly winner of the Pigskin Picks contest, and Naeole hoped for good news after he correctly picked 15 out of 15 college and NFL games last week.

So after waking at 4 o'clock to care for his 4-month-old son, Nahj, Naeole spent the morning glued to the radio and waiting for a telephone call from the radio station.

It was worth the wait.

"We were surprised," said Naeole, 29, who is a stay-at-home dad. "I knew I had a perfect ballot. But I figured I never won. I figured someone else won. I thought a lot of people had 15 correct."

Naeole's ballot was randomly selected among a handful that had 15 of 15 correct.

As the Pigskin Picks winner, Naeole wins a trip for two to Las Vegas from Worry-Free Vacations and Non-Stop Travel and the Golden Nugget Hotel, and $500 from The Advertiser.

He also is entered to win a year-end prize of free use of a Hyundai Tucson for a year, courtesy of Tony Hyundai.

Naeole said he and his wife, Tania, entered "probably about 15 to 20" ballots with many of the ballots given to him by his sister, Abby Beatty.

Naeole is a first-time Pigskin Picks winner. He said he began playing the contest this year with his wife.

"She just started getting into football this year," Naeole said of his wife. "She watches the games and she likes to check the scores on the games."

Naeole said he plans to take his wife on the Las Vegas trip, and plans to use the $500 on his three children, Jahya, Mitchell Jr. and Nahj.

"I'll use it for Christmas presents for the kids," Naeole said.