• Bethany garners another award
• Other Gene Autry Courage Award Winners
• Cadiente explodes for 18 points
Bethany garners another award
By The Garden Island
Kaua‘i’s Bethany Hamilton was one of only four people in the country to earn the Gene Autry Courage Award. The 14-year-old was well on her way toward her dream of becoming a professional surfer. The Princeville teen began surfing competitively at age 11 and by, age 13, she was well respected in her sport. Tragedy nearly ended her dreams, however. On Oct. 31, 2003, Bethany was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark. She lost her left arm just below her shoulder, but miraculously survived the attack. Bethany’s dream of becoming a pro surfer also amazingly lives on. Only months after the tragic incident, Bethany amazed thousands by earning a fifth-place finish at the 2004 National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) Nationals Championships. In September 2004, she captured the Open Women’s Division of the NSSA’s Hawaiian conference season opener. She also has secured a place on the USA National Surfing Team.
Other Gene Autry Courage Award Winners
Aron Ralston: During a 2003 climb in eastern Utah, trained mountaineer Aron Ralston faced a truly horrific decision – amputate his right arm with a pocketknife or face certain death. Ralston was attempting to climb across an 800-pound boulder when it dislodged, trapping his right arm. Finally, five days later with no water and little hope of survival, Ralston saved himself through the amputation.
The tragic event hasn’t slowed him down. Ralston has climbed 111 Colorado peaks over 13,800 feet, completing many of the climbs solo during the dead of winter. He has also climbed over the volcanoes of the Cascades and, as of late 2003, completed solo climbs of 45 of Colorado’s 59 14,000-foot peaks. Rulon Gardner: As a Greco-Roman wrestler, Rulon Gardner has literally conquered the world, earning an Olympic gold medal in 2000 with a legendary win over Russia’s previously unbeaten Aleksandr Karelin, a 2001 World Championship and a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Yet, Gardner’s greatest challenge occurred nowhere near a wrestling mat.
While snowmobiling in 2002, he got stuck in a snow packed riverbed. Temperatures hovered at -25 degrees and rescuers wouldn’t find him for more than 18 hours. Gardner credits his bulk and his faith in God for saving him. While his body temperature dropped to a potentially fatal 88 degrees, he would only lose the middle toe. The injury hasn’t slowed him down. Gardner recently made his mixed martial arts professional debut in Japan’s PRIDE promotion. All four award winners’ triumphs will be celebrated at the Gene Autry Courage Awards. Angels Care, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation, and the Tempe Sports Authority, will present the event. Proceeds from the Gene Autry Courage Awards will benefit Angels Care and will fund scholarship programs for minority students at Arizona’s three state universities, selected community colleges and local youth charities.
Tickets are $150 each and are available by calling 480-940-8666. Individual sponsorship packages are also available. Thom Brennaman, the television voice of the Arizona Diamond-backs, will MC the event.
Cadiente explodes for 18 points
Kelsey Cadiente tickled the twine for 18 points for Lihu‘e, who upended Kalaheo, 38-10 in the County’s girls 12-and-under basketball league on Thursday. Melissa Miner poured in seven markers for Kalaheo.
Jodie Das (seven points) and Lynsi Nakamura (six points) sparked Wailua in its 21-18 win over Waimea B&G. Jaymie Jacinto led Waimea with 13 points.
The Westside Hornets utilized six points from Christina Banach and five points from BreeAnn Cox-Abuan for the 27-10 victory over Gee’s Angels. Arrissa Thronas netted three markers for the Angels.
