Leona and Keala Watson have promised to stay with each other for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health and . . .

. . . through plyometrics, resistance training and vertical-jump techniques?

"I guess you could say that," said Leona, laughing.

To improve his first-step bursts, Keala, the University of Hawai'i football team's starting defensive right tackle, decided to participate in the Hawai'i Speed and Quickness sessions each week at the UH athletic complex.

"I wanted to get faster during the offseason," said Keala, who will be a fifth-year senior in the fall.

As always, Leona decided to accompany Keala to the sessions.

Leona and Keala have been sweethearts since his sophomore year at Nanakuli High School. They were married last November.

Leona attends nearly all of the Warriors' home practices on the grass field.

Mel deLaura, co-coordinator of the sessions and the Warriors' conditioning coach, noticed Leona was on the side watching Keala. DeLaura asked Leona to participate in the workouts.

She reluctantly agreed.

"It's fun to work out together," Keala said.

Keala praised his wife's athletic ability and nimble footwork. Leona played volleyball at Nanakuli High, and has paddled for 10 years, starting when she was 11. She competes as a steersman or stroker for the Leeward Kai Canoe Club.

She participated in the 2002 World Sprints in Tahiti.

In volleyball, Leona said: "I was a middle blocker, even though I was the shortest one. I'm 5-5 1/2. I guess they put me there because I had a lot of energy."

That energy is well spent during the 90-minute sessions at UH.

The sessions are designed to improve running techniques and jumping performances. Co-director Rich Miano emphasizes that running is "really a series of jumps."

"All of the (drills) are fun," Leona said. "They incorporate a lot of the things you need in sports."

She added: "What makes you not want to quit, even though it burns and gets your heart working, is when you see the little kids out there. When you see them do it, it keeps you going. 'If they can do it, I can do it.' "

Hawai'i Speed and Quickness is open to ages 5 and older.

Each session is $10.

There are scholarships available.

Sessions are 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Each participant receives coupons from Jamba Juice and Jack in the Box.

Former and current UH student-athletes serve as guest instructors.

For information, call 759-5444 or go to www.hawaiispeedand quickness.com.

Here is the schedule for this semester:

March — Tomorrow, Sunday.

April — 5, 6, 19, 20.

May — 3, 4, 24, 25, 31.

June — 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28.

July — 5, 6.

The Magic Island "Banana Man Run" is May 10, starting at 7 a.m.