ISLE FILE
Colorado linebacker Dizon in final 3 for Butkus Award
Advertiser Staff
Former Waimea High star Jordon Dizon, a linebacker at the University of Colorado, has been named one of three finalists for the Butkus Award.
Dizon, who is expected to graduate in economics in May, is joined by Penn State's Dan Connor and Ohio State's James Laurinaitis for the honor that is named for legendary linebacker Dick Butkus and given out each year to the top linebacker in college football.
The winner will be announced in December in Orlando.
"He said, 'Mom, I don't think I'll be the winner.' I said he should be proud that a Waimea boy is in the top three. To me, he's already a winner," said Darla Abbatiello, a police officer on the Garden Island.
Dizon ranks fifth in the nation in total tackles, averaging 11.90 stops per game. Connor is No. 16 (10.50) and Laurinaitis is No. 77 (8.50).
"He's still absorbing it," Abbatiello said. "I'm happy for the people of Kaua'i."
On Wednesday, Dizon was named among 15 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.
TENNIS
LAM IN QUARTERFINALS
Honolulu's Chris Lam reached the quarterfinals of the $15,000 Hilton Waikoloa Village USTA Futures yesterday. The seventh-seeded Lam defeated American Shane La Porte, 6-4, 6-3.
Lam, ranked 630th in the world, will play Adrian-Daniel Simon today at 10 a.m.
University of Hawai'i junior Sascha Heinemann, from Germany, fell to American Ty Trombetta, 6-2, 6-2. Hawai'i Pacific sophomore Mark Mestan, also from Germany, lost to top-seeded Nickolas Monroe, 6-2, 6-0, in another second-round match.
Mestan, Sea Warrior teammates Nikola Petrov and Hendrik Bode, along with many other Hawai'i players will be in the qualifying for the Honolulu Futures this weekend at UH.
Qualifying rounds start tomorrow at 10 a.m. The main draw begins Tuesday.
GOLF
ISHII IN FINAL QUALIFIER
David Ishii, a member of the Hawai'i Golf Hall of Fame, finished 10th at the JGTO third-stage qualifier last week. Ishii shot 73-73-70-71 for a total of 1-under-par 287 at Ono Toyo Golf Club in Osaka. The 52-year-old will move on to the final stage early next month.
Hilo's Greg Meyer has won enough money on the Japan tour this year to be exempt in 2008.
SHORT PUTTS: On the American tours, Kona's Mark Morrison tied for fourth at the Champions Regional Qualifier in Temecula, Calif. Morrison shot 74-292 to advance to the Final Stage, Nov. 11 to 16 in Florida. Hawai'i Golf Hall of Famer Stan Souza (78-309) missed advancing by four shots. ... Kapalua pro Chad Fribley (71-279) tied for eighth at the PGA Tour First Stage qualifier in McKinney, Texas. He advances to the Second Stage. Kaua'i's Casey Watabu (70-283) tied for 29th and failed to advance out of Hollister, Calif., by two shots. Former Rainbow Matt Kodama (69-279) missed by one shot in Scottsdale, Ariz.
VOLLEYBALL
CHAMINADE SWEEPS
Chaminade defeated Hawai'i Pacific, 31-29, 30-18, 30-24, last night in a Pacific West Conference women's volleyball match at McCabe gym.
The Silverswords improved to 15-6 overall and 8-5 in conference. The Sea Warriors fell to 10-14 and 4-9.
