Wednesday, November 27, 1996
All-WAC first-team
By Paul Arnett
honors for Klaneski
Star-Bulletin
Last winter, Eddie Klaneski was an offensive player without a position to call home.The slotback in the old University of Hawaii offense knew there was no such position in the West Coast attack.
So, instead of trying out at wide receiver or running back, the junior of Damien Memorial High fame decided to get defensive.
He asked new defensive coordinator Don Lindsey if there was a spot for him in the secondary, a position he played during high school, but never at this level.
Lindsey, who needed warm bodies, said it was fine with him and passed off Klaneski to secondary coach Trent Miles. The rest, as they say, is history.
The junior free safety was named to the first team all-Western Athletic Conference yesterday by the coaches in the Pacific Division. Last year, he was the leading receiver for the Rainbows.
This year, he's tops in interceptions with four and tackles with 102. He also has seven pass breakups, three fumbles caused and three fumble recoveries.
"It's an outstanding accomplishment," Lindsey said. "He deserves so much credit, it's unbelievable. In the spring when he came over to defense, if you told me he was going to be first team all-conference, I'd have said probably not.
"But it's because of lots of things; great effort, punt returns, kick returns. It's also because of great tackling in the open field. He's made a bunch of tackles. He's intercepted passes, knocked down passes, recovered fumbles and caused fumbles.
"It puts him in an elite group because there are some very good players in the secondary in this league."
Klaneski was happy with the award, but remained humble. He credited his teammates and his coaches - especially Miles - and said he was just plain lucky.
"At first, I was surprised when the coaches told me," Klaneski said after practice. "I didn't believe them. Then I got all excited when I knew it was true.
"It's great to make the first team, especially because it's my first year back there. Last spring, I might have hoped this was possible, but I probably wouldn't have believed it."
Senior strong safety Doe Henderson and defensive lineman Ben Bright were honorable mention for the Rainbows.
In the Mountain Division, Brigham Young tight end and former Kahuku High standout Itula Mili, and Utah running back and former St. Louis School star Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala were first team all-WAC selections.
St. Louis School product Kaipo McGuire made second team at wide receiver for BYU, while Utah linebacker Chad Kauhaahaa of Maui was named to the second team as well.