• Soccer playoffs tonight • Kyono’s fortunes a result of Jr. golf Soccer playoffs tonight According to Diane Nitta, secretary for the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation (KIF), the playoff game between the Kaua’i High School and Kapa’a High School varsity girls
• Soccer playoffs tonight
• Kyono’s fortunes a result of Jr. golf
Soccer playoffs tonight
According to Diane Nitta, secretary for the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation (KIF), the playoff game between the Kaua’i High School and Kapa’a High School varsity girls soccer teams will kick off at 6 p.m., tonight at Hanapepe Stadium.
The winner of this playoff game will be crowned the KIF Girls Soccer champions and will also earn the right to represent the KIF at the Meadow Gold 2006 Hawai’i State Soccer Championships on Maui in early February.
Kyono’s fortunes a result of Jr. golf
Sibling rivalries can start on the golf course too.
Just ask Lawa’i’s Rachel Kyono, a former Kaua’i Jr. golfer, who joined the program because she wanted to beat her older brother, Shawn.
“Honestly, that’s how I got into the game and I’ve been playing ever since,” Kyono said.
After a storied prep (Kaua’i) and college (Pepperdine) career, Kyono moved on to become an assistant golf professional at the Princeville Prince Golf Course.
Kyono joined KJGA when she was 10 years old and contends that she’s very glad she decided to take a shot at the game.
“I think that I wouldn’t be where I am today without going through the program,” Kyono said.
With registration currently going on, the KJGA was a great place for Kyono to get to know others who share the love of the sport.
“The best part is meeting people from all over. I looked forward to seeing other golfers and met a lot of girls in the mainland during my junior golf days, who I played against in college,” Kyono said.
With the emergence of Honolulu’s Michelle Wie, the game of golf has attracted many more girls and Kyono wants to see more females out on the course, but she says it starts with Jr. golf.
“I think a lot of them (girls) don’t know the opportunities for girls in golf. Even if it’s like division II there’s a lot opportunities. If they enjoy it and stick to it, they’ll be glad,” Kyono said.
Kyono credits HSJGA and KJGA president Mary Bea Porter-King’s strict policies for teaching the participants about golf and life.
“Kauai Jr. golf teaches you about honesty and integrity about the game. It helps you to become a better person and you build up a lot of good characteristics,” Kyono said.
But for Kyono, golf is just a stepping stone for other things in life.
“It taught me things about life, like not being intimidated. It’s just a fun game and everyone should give it a shot,” Kyono said.
In November, she’s is getting married to 2002 Kaua’i High School graduate C.J. Dela Cruz.
Registration forms to join the KJGA are available at www.kjga.org, all public and private schools, Kaua’i golf courses, King Auto Center, and KIUC.
For questions, call Pia at 651-3162.
The deadline for registration is Friday, February 10.
