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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, January 9, 2008

HOMEGROWN REPORT
Colorado's Dizon will tackle nation's best

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Jordon Dizon

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Brandon Rodd

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Brennan Carvalho

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kolomona Kapanui

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Nearly four years ago, as a Waimea High School senior, Jordon Dizon made a decision that would send him nearly 3,000 miles away.

Dizon, a 6-foot, 225-pound inside linebacker, signed with the University of Colorado and on Dec. 30 he completed a prolific career at Boulder that included a team-high 160 tackles this season.

Four seasons and 440 tackles later, Dizon will suit up for his last collegiate game in Saturday's Cornerstone Bancard Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Dizon is joined on the West squad by Arizona State offensive lineman Brandon Rodd ('Aiea '03 of 'Aiea), Portland State center Brennan Carvalho (Kamehameha '04 of Kapa'a) and West Texas A&M tight end Kolomona Kapanui (Kamehameha '01 of Palolo).

Rodd, a 6-foot-4, 303-pound left tackle, last played in Aloha Stadium in the 2006 Hawai'i Bowl, a 41-24 loss to Hawai'i.

While the Hula Bowl is an all-star game, there is a lot on the line, according to Rodd.

"Everyone's trying to showcase their skills," said Rodd. "We all know what's on the line. (Scouts) are watching our every move. We have to be on top of our game."

Carvalho, a three-time first-team All-Big Sky Conference selection, was named Walter Camp first-team All-America the past two seasons for the Football Championship Subdivision. He has started 39 consecutive games starting from the 2004 season.

"That kind of stuff is mostly for my family," said Carvalho, who stands 6-foot-1 and 315 pounds. "I'm excited (for the game). My whole family is coming down (from Kaua'i). It's probably going to be the most important game I've played in."

Kapanui, who is 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, was named to the Daktronics All-America team last month. He caught 39 passes for 481 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007.

"It's going to be a good experience," Rodd said. "Everyone here is a top athlete."

Several former University of Hawai'i standouts will also play Saturday. Wide receivers C.J. Hawthorne and Jason Rivers, and defensive tackle Michael Lafaele are on the West team.

Kickoff for the 62nd Hula Bowl is set for 1 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

  • Washington State senior guard Derrick Low ('Iolani '04 of Honolulu) scored 11 points with two rebounds, one assist and a steal in a 56-52 win over rival Washington Saturday. The Cougars improved to 13-0.

  • Colorado School of Mines (Golden, Colo.) junior guard Kyle Pape ('Iolani '05 of Honolulu) scored 15 points with three rebounds and four assists in the Orediggers' 95-89 loss to Mesa State (Grand Junction, Colo.) Friday. Pape went for four points, one rebound and two steals in Saturday's 98-63 loss to Fort Lewis (Durango, Colo.).

  • Linfield (McMinnville, Ore.) sophomore point guard Cody Tesoro (Baldwin '05 of Kahului) recorded one assist and missed his only shot — a 3-point attempt — in 14 minutes Friday in the Wildcats' 77-70 win over Whitworth (Spokane, Wash.). Tesoro scored five points with three rebounds, three assists and a steal Saturday in a 109-81 win over Whitman (Walla Walla, Wash.). Linfield is 7-4 overall, 2-0 in the Northwest Conference.

  • CSU-Pueblo sophomore Ken Moses (Mililani '06 of Mililani) scored two points and had an assist in seven minutes of the ThunderWolves' 76-73 win over Nebraska-Kearney Thursday. Moses went for two points in three minutes Saturday in a 76-63 loss to Chadron State (Neb.).

    WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

  • Gonzaga senior guard Rachel Kane (Punahou '04 of Honolulu) had four rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes in a 67-43 win over Saint Joseph's Thursday.

  • Cal State Northridge freshman forward Analee Viena-Lota (Kamehameha '07 of Honolulu) scored six points and grabbed six rebounds in 17 minutes Thursday in a 78-66 loss to Cal Poly. Viena-Lota started in Saturday's 88-44 loss to UC Santa Barbara and recorded two points, six rebounds, three steals and an assist.

    WRESTLING

  • Dana College (Blair, Neb.) junior Ryan "Bulla" Tuzon (Baldwin '05) won his first-round match, 11-0, over David Carter at Saturday's Dana Open. Tuzon advanced to the quarterfinal round after defeating Jairin Potter, 8-7, but he lost his next two matches to Alex Ward and Garrett Jones.

    Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.