A repeated quote from my favorite movie is the idea that “It’s all happening.” While existence on Kaua‘i isn’t quite the same as the feverish lifestyle in “Almost Famous,” — at least not for me — it sure feels like
A repeated quote from my favorite movie is the idea that “It’s all happening.” While existence on Kaua‘i isn’t quite the same as the feverish lifestyle in “Almost Famous,” — at least not for me — it sure feels like there’s a lot happening right now. So why narrow my focus when I can deliver a panoramic portrait of the sports landscape, near and far? Here’s a Wednesday round-up to get you up to speed:
• The International Surfing Association’s World Masters Surfing Championship got underway this week in Montanita, Ecuador. Team Hawai‘i is looking to defend its 2012 title and sports a star-studded squad, featuring Sunny Garcia, Kalani Robb, Rochelle Ballard, Love Hodel, Mike Latronic, Reuben Balmores and Shuji Kasuya. They seem well on their way to another great result, as only Kasuya had lost a heat through three days of the double-elimination event. Look for more in-depth coverage later in the week.
• The University of Hawai‘i football team will again be visiting Kaua‘i for a spring practice from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 20 at Vidinha Stadium. It will be the first time head coach Norm Chow has brought the Warriors to the Garden Isle since taking over the program. Their last visit was in 2010, during which Mayor Carvalho, a former UH lineman, got the squad fired up before the scrimmage by getting into a three-point stance and “slobbering” words of encouragement, according to then coach Greg McMackin.
• The UH softball team remains unbeaten in the Big West, with shortstop Jessica Iwata sparking the Wahine in a three-game sweep of UC Riverside on Friday and Saturday. Hawai‘i (31-7, 9-0) outscored Riverside 36-3 in the trio of wins, with Iwata going 7 for 10 with two home runs, six runs scored and five RBIs to earn Big West Field Player of the Week honors. UH will hit the road to take on Cal State Fullerton this weekend.
• The second round of KIF baseball could not have started more differently than the first, as the Kaua‘i Red Raiders swept a doubleheader against previously unbeaten Waimea on Saturday. Kaua‘i’s young bats produced 20 runs to garner its first wins of the season while topping the first-round victors. They look to continue that surge this afternoon against the Kapa‘a Warriors at Vidinha Stadium.
• Kapa‘a claimed the first round with a clinching win over Waimea in boys volleyball on Friday night, sweeping three sets to sit at 5-1 on the season. The Menehune had a chance to force a playoff with a win, but will now be focused on round two, which got underway Tuesday night (results unavailable at press time).
• A first-round title already under their belt, the Waimea Lady Menehune softball team edged the Raider Wahine in a 5-4 win last Wednesday and look to move to 2-0 as they head east to Kapa‘a today at 3:30 p.m.
• KIF golfers will get a break this weekend, gearing up for next week’s qualifying round for the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state tournament. The April 19 qualifier at Wailua Golf Course will also determine a conference winner, with Kaua‘i and Kapa‘a each still in the mix. The only golf this weekend will be in Augusta, Ga., where Tiger Woods will be hoping the green jacket won’t need any alterations since his previous Masters victory in 2005.
• Finally, I hope all parents and athletes thank their coaches for not behaving like Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice. Oh, New Jersey…
• ‘My Thoughts Exactly’ appears Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays in The Garden Island. Email David Simon your comments or questions to dsimon@thegardenisland.com. Follow David on Twitter @SimonTGI
