• Kapa‘a’s Alfiler joins Tulane • Rice could be a Bronco • Ota tops qualifiers for U.S. Open. • Kalawai, Kekaha surge ahead Kapa‘a’s Alfiler joins Tulane By The Garden Island Former professional soccer player and Kapa‘a High School star,
• Kapa‘a’s Alfiler joins Tulane
• Rice could be a Bronco
• Ota tops qualifiers for U.S. Open.
• Kalawai, Kekaha surge ahead
Kapa‘a’s Alfiler joins Tulane
By The Garden Island
Former professional soccer player and Kapa‘a High School star, Andrea Alfiler has joined the Tulane women’s soccer staff as assistant coach.
Alfiler will assist in individual and group instruction of field players and recruiting, as well as coordinate officials and game-day logistics.
“Andrea will be an excellent role model for our student-athletes as she excelled in her collegiate career both academically and athletically,” Anderson said. “She’s coached in several different environments and was a player/coach for the Rochester Reign. She also played in the most competitive league in the world, the WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association), and will be an excellent addition to our staff.” After her time at Point Loma, Alfiler held the unique position of player/coach with the semi-pro Rochester Reign of the Women’s Premier Soccer League. A three-time All-American during her playing days at Azusa Pacific University, she was named the NAIA National Player of the Year and the Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2001.
She was a three-time all-conference, all-regional selection and earned NAIA all-tournament honors in each of her final three seasons. She also helped lead Azusa Pacific to the national championship and a mark of 24-0-1 in 1998. After a stellar career at Azusa Pacific, where she also played one season of basketball for the Cougars, Al-filer was a second-round draft pick by the WUSA’s Philadelphia Charge in 2002. She played for the San Diego Spirit in 2003 before joining the Reign in 2004.
“I am excited to be here working for a prestigious university with a progressing program,” Alfiler said.
Rice could be a Bronco
DENVER — Jerry Rice has talked with Broncos coach Mike Shanahan about the possibility of playing in Denver next season, his agent said. “They had an excellent conversation,” agent Jim Steiner told the Associated Press on Thursday. “But they haven’t taken it to the next level.”
Ota tops qualifiers for U.S. Open.
Jonathan Ota of Lihu‘e shot 1-under par 71 at the 7,081 yard Po‘ipu Bay Golf Course to win the medalist honors at the USGA’s Local Qualifier for this year’s U.S. Open Championship.
Michael Castillo, the new director of golf at Princeville Golf Course was second with a 73.
Both players advance to sectional qualifying at Ka‘anapali’s North Course to be held on Mon-day, June 6. The local qualifier was held on Thursday, May 19 with hot and windy conditions at Po‘ipu Bay. Kellen Watabu of Kapa‘a secured the first alternate spot with a score of 74, and Cory French of Kalaheo was the second alternate with a 75.
Watabu, a Junior at Kaua‘i High School, was the medalist at this week’s State High School Golf Championship at Wailea, and both he and French were a part of the winning Kaua‘i High School team.
The U.S. Open Championship will be played from June 16-19.
Kalawai, Kekaha surge ahead
The West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball’s mustang playoffs are well underway and the Kalawai Yankees and Kekaha Angels forged ahead with wins yesterday in the double elimination tournament. The Yankees downed the Cubs, 6-1 and the Angels edged the Blue Jays, 5-4.
The playoffs continue Saturday at Kekaha Ballpark with the Cardinals and Braves battling at 9 a.m. Waimea and the Cubs play at 11:15 a.m. and the Yankees and Angels mix it up at 1:30 p.m.
