• 2004: Another great year for local sports! 2004: Another great year for local sports! By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island So you’re done with the fireworks (how about those paperless fireworks, Ricky and Kathy Carveiro were happy
• 2004: Another great year for local sports!
2004: Another great year for local sports!
By Duane Shimogawa Jr. – The Garden Island
So you’re done with the fireworks (how about those paperless fireworks, Ricky and Kathy Carveiro were happy about the lack of mess afterwards) and it’s now the year 2005. Many of us have all been associated with a sport this past year. We might’ve had a niece, nephew, cousin, son, daughter, uncle, or even a grandfather that participated in a sports league in 2004.
What a year for sports on Kaua‘i! From youth sports, to high school sports, to adult sports, it was a year to remember most and sometimes a year to forget for some.
Starting with KIF basketball in January, the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders came into the season as the favorites with a bevy of untested talented individuals.
However, Waimea pulled together as a team and claimed the KIF crown.
It would cap off a great reign for head coach Matt Taba, who stepped down as the Menehune head man.
Taking over is current Waimea girls’ head basketball coach Elton Montemayor.
The former Menehune hoopster will be assisted by his father, Glenn.
KIF swimming came next and it was the Liana Nakazawa and Keenan Anaya show throughout the season.
Both were also named King Auto Center’s KIF Athletes of the Month.
Anaya and Nakazawa were underclassmen last year, so you’ll get to see the two this season as well.
Ali Jackson and Shawn Yamase came through for their respective teams in canoe paddling. Yamase starred on the Menehune squad and Jackson powered the Red Raider canoe.
Kaua‘i High School’s cheerleading squad took home the top prize and this year’s competition on February 26 at the Raiderdome should be another great contest.
In KIF tennis, Kaua‘i’s Jordan Kukino and Island School’s Jenie Guerber were the king and queen of the court.
Guerber ran off a string of wins and proved that she was one of the state’s best tennis players at the state tournament.
Kukino, one of the best tennis players Kaua‘i has ever seen, has the talent to take himself far beyond college.
Kukino will be back again this year to showcase his talents.
The KIF had its best season ever in golf with two state titles by the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders.
Jennie Pleas (Nevada) and Ki‘ilani Matsuyoshi (UH-Hilo) led the girls to the state’s top prize. Cory French, Chad Nonaka led the Kaua’i contingent, along with Alan Baab and Abraham Akutagawa.
Even former state champion, Rachel Kyono (Pepperdine) got to see her alma mater win the title at Wailua Golf Course.
In track and field, Kapa‘a’s Joe Locey stole the show by almost attaining the triple crown of track and field on Maui for the state championships.
Waimea’s relay team led by Jordon Dizon also took home a state title and Kaua‘i’s girls relay team of Shauna Tachibana, Sherylle Cadiente, Auika Muragin, and Amber Thronas fared well too.
Kapa‘a’s Jennifer Lindsey out jumped the rest of the state in the high jump competition for the state title. Both Locey and Lindsey will be back this year, so look out for these two, as they try to defend their state titles.
Kaua‘i grabbed the baseball crown thanks to pitcher Kirby Yates, whose brother, Tyler plays for the New York Mets as a relief pitcher and in girls basketball, the Red Raiders rose to the top.
Ulu Kelekoma and the crew fought off tough competition from Bristol King and the Warriors, and Mallorie Hepa and the Menehune.
In softball, Waimea proved to be too tough for the rest of the field and Kaua‘i took both the girls and boys soccer titles.
Both squads also got consolation honors at states.
And who can forget Phil Mickelson’s amazing round of 59 at the Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course to win this past year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Mickelson’s magic had the gallery at Po‘ipu dazzled in amazement.
But what made the moment even better, was the way Mickelson won.
The gracious performer left a lasting impression on all of us and we’ll be watching the four major golf tournaments this year, with our fingers crossed that Mickelson will once again come to Kaua‘i for the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Youth sports also took a great leap this year.
From K-PAL’s (Mark Ozaki) Flag Football League, to AYSO and HYSA soccer, to Pop Warner (Leon Gonsalves), the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association, youth basketball, little league baseball and more.
The Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association should take some credit for the two state titles the Red Raiders won this past season. Most if not all of the players went through the KJGA program.
Most of Kaua‘i’s golfing success can be attributed to the organizers and countless individuals that make the program truly a success.
Youth basketball has been growing on Kaua‘i for some time now and it’s great to see the county stepping up and creating more leagues for our youths. Also Sam Arashiro and Aaron Uyeda of the county parks and recreation division have done a terrific job by starting up clinics like the UH-Hilo basketball clinic held earlier this past year in Kapa‘a and the ever-popular Jimmy Yagi Basketball Clinic.
I’ve participated in Yagi’s camps and clinics and they are second to none.
In fact, Yagi has a clinic coming up on January 8 at the Raiderdome.
This clinic is free, which is a steal and youths 9-18 are encouraged to attend, as well as coaches from around the island.
Don’t miss this one! Call Sam (332-7630 or 241-4465) or Aaron (822-0511 or 241-4465) for more information.
A lot can be said about the soccer programs around the island from AYSO to HYSA, soccer is definitely one of the biggest youth sports program on the island.
Soccer players like Colby Ayonan, Amber Thronas, Arlene Devitt, Justin Ihara, and many more are just a few that have gone on to the college level after breezing through our great youth soccer programs.
Pop Warner football is the breeding ground for our high school and college football players.
The head man, Leon Gonsalves and his staff have done a tremendous job with the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League. Year in and year out, it has been great to watch Pop Warner football from the jamboree to the last kickoff.
Most of you know who Jordon Dizon is and he is probably the greatest example of what you can do with your dreams if you believe that you can do it.
Dizon lived his dream, starting at a big-time NCAA division I program at Colorado. He not only performed but he performed at a high level, garnering award after award, but what separates Dizon from the rest is his humble and team-oriented attitude.
Despite enjoying individual success, Dizon was more interested in helping his team get to a bowl game and they did. Dizon and the ‘Buffs were victorious against UTEP, after trailing the whole way.
If there’s one thing you can learn from Dizon this past season, it is the simple fact that working hard and truly believing in yourself and your team can take you a long way.
He’s only completed his freshman year, so you’ll get to learn more lessons from a person that should be an idol to all of our aspiring college football players on Kaua‘i.
The Lihu‘e Baseball League and the West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball League have treated us to great action throughout the years.
Paul Pancho (WKYBL) and Warren Koga (LBL) should charge an admission fee to the games, just because the games are that good to watch.
The season is on the brink of starting, so get ready for another year of youth baseball on Kaua‘i.
From youth baseball to the senior circuit! The Kaua‘i Senior Softball League was the host for this past year’s State Senior Softball Tournament.
Although the rain ruined the first day of play, the aged wonders refused to let the wet stuff get in their way.
I just got one thing to say about them: These guys are good!
They can run, hit, field, but most importantly, they can have fun.
That’s what it’s truly all about anyway.
League manager Pat Rosa and his staff did a great job hosting the state tournament.
Seniors like Peter Rayno, Richard Carveiro, Harold Naumu, Norman Holt, and the Mendonca brothers, just to name a few are great examples of players who are young at heart and play the game with intensity.
Youth sports is where it all starts and parents should be commended for the time they take to get their youths to all the practices and events.
Coaches too deserve credit for continuing to help our young athletes grow and lets not forget about our officials who take the heat but remain in the kitchen.
Thanks for making this year a fun one for me! I truly enjoyed meeting all of you and showcasing your wonderful stories.
But with 2005 already here, let’s make it even better than ‘04!
