Nine University of Hawaii athletes have been named to Western Athletic Conference All-Academic teams for the last spring semester. Nine Rainbows
academic starsFour UH baseball players -- senior Kamuela Binkie, juniors Lars Hansen and Michael Dartt, and sophomore Ikaika Baptista -- were honored, along with juniors Jarrod Mizusawa and Van Wright of the men's golf team, junior Petra Holma of the women's tennis team, sophomore Angie Park of the women's golf team and Joyce Lum of the softball team.
To qualify, an athlete must be at least a sophomore in status, must have completed one academic year at the member school, must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's contests and must have achieved at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average.
PADDLERS AT WORLD SPRINTS: At Suva, Fiji, Hawaii's outrigger canoe paddlers fared well in the 500-meter races on the opening day of the International Polynesia Canoe Federation's World Sprint Championships.
Two women's open crews representing the Hawaii Canoe Racing Association won their respective heats. Team Surf Club finished second in its heat while Keauhou Canoe Club was sixth.
In women's open singles, Donna Kahakui and Patricia Earnes both won their respective heats. Libby Fulk placed fifth but Nicole Wilcox and Cheryl Villegas were disqualified.
In men's open singles, Hawaii's Nathan Hendricks won his heat while Kamuela Lau placed third in his. In girls-19 singles, Lauren Spalding of HCRA was third.
In girls-16 singles, Hawaii's Lenny Mahina Enos was second in her heat and Joanana Pokipala finished third.
HAWAII CABA TEAM SECOND: Hawaii's entry in the Continental Amateur Baseball Association's 15-year-old World Series placed second in the recently completed tournament in Crystal Lake, Ill.
The team played 15 games, winning the first 13 before losing twice to a team from Puerto Rico in the championship round. Three Hawaii players -- outfielder Jordan Takaki and pitchers Kelii Correa and Corey Yamamoto -- were named to the all-tournament team.
VOLLEYBALL BENEFIT FOR SHRINERS: Some of Hawaii's top beach volleyball players will compete in the first Players Championship on Sunday at Queen's Beach.
Proceeds from the two-man tournament will benefit the Honolulu Shriners Hospital for Children. The event begins at 8:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Marc Haine at 739-1927.
MORIOKA NEW HIBT CHIEF: Roy Morioka is the new chairman and chief executive officer of the Hawaiian International Billfish Association, succeeding co-founder Peter S. Fithian, who will step down after 40 years of HIBT service.
Replacing Morioka as HIBT president is Thomas Rietow.
TENNIS LEAGUE SECTIONALS: More than 500 tennis players from around the state will compete in the USTA/Hawaii Pacific Section's Adult League Sectionals Friday through Sunday at the Kapalua Resort on Maui.
Division champions at the 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 levels will advance to their respective USTA League National Championship tournaments on the mainland in September and October.