It dominated women's veterans soccer in the U.S. for years, and now it's a world champion.

The Holomua 50+ women's soccer team captured the championship at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Soccer Games from Oct. 10 to 18 in Australia.

Holomua, perennial USSF Veteran's Cup champions, went undefeated in pool play with a 5-0 record, outscoring opponents 27-2.

It then went on to blank California Kickin', 3-0, in the semifinal, and beat East-West United USA FC, 3-2, behind two goals from Marianne Itchener and one by Maris Van der Lee to win the gold medal.

Team members: Sandy Kalama, Karen Diaz, Patty Ane, Maggie Rivera, Alma Ho, Linda Davis, Julie Herd, Jillian Thomson, Marianne Itchener, Pilahi Gregg, Donna Fouts, Lois Tiedemann, Maris Van der Lee, Kathy Carey and Jan Pappas.

FOUR TWISTERS ON USA GYMNASTICS TOPS TEAM

Four young female gymnasts from the Hawaiian Island Twisters Gym who competed against 300 other gymnasts earned spots on the USA Gymnastics National Talent Opportunity Program (TOPs) team.

Fourth-graders Sarah Barron (Holy Nativity), Madison Benzor (Red Hill Elementary) and Callie Shinoda (home schooled from Honolulu), earned spots on the prestigious TOPs National A Team. Nicole Lauro (Le Jardin) earned a spot on the TOPs National B Team.

The national competition, designed to find the nation's top young gymnasts and future Olympians, took place at the Women's National Gymnastics Team Training Center at the Bela Karolyi Camp in Huntsville, Texas, late September. The four will travel to Texas in early December to participate in a training camp run by Martha and Bela Karolyi and the USA National Team coaches.

About 3,000 gymnasts ages 9 to 11 competed in regional competitions across the nation to qualify to the national competition. The four finished among the top 20 in their age group (age 9, 10, and 11) after being tested on gymnastics skills and tests of strength and flexibility.

OUTRIGGER CAPTURES CANADA-HAWAII TITLE

Outrigger defeated the East Oahu Boys Volleyball Club, 25-21, 25-23, to win the Canada vs. Hawai'i Junior Boys Volleyball Club Tournament last week.

The three-day tournament for boys 15 to 18 raised more than $2,000 for the Holy Trinity School.

Results: 1, Outrigger (10-2); 2, East Oahu (10-2); 3, Kuikahi (5-4); 4, Saint Thomas (7-6); 5, Me Lazerte (0-6); 6, Hines (0-4).

NEIGHBORHOOD ATHLETES

To submit outstanding achievements from local athletes, teams,e-mail: cmurayama@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 808-525-5491