Tribune-Herald
Tribune-Herald
Two prep baseball players, a hard-hitting volleyball standout and a two-time state track champion have been named the Big Island Co-Athletes of the Month for May.
The honorees are:
• Waiakea’s Quintin Torres-Costa and Kodi Medeiros, who led Waiakea to the Big Island Interscholastic Federation and state Division I baseball titles and an undefeated season.
• Kamehameha’s Evan Enriques, who led the Warriors to a runner-up finish to champion Punahou in the state D-I boys volleyball championships on Oahu.
• Kamehameha’s Aukai Akau, who captured his second straight long jump title at the state track and field championships at Keaau High School.
“The month of May is always a busy time and the Big Island was well-representative in the state championships again, including winning several individual titles and a state baseball crown this year,” said Stan Costales, a member of the selection committee for the athlete of the month program.
“We congratulate all of the athletes and teams that participated and proved again that the Big Island athletes can compete with the best in the state.”
Waiakea became the first Big Island Interscholastic Federation baseball team to win states since Hilo High did it in 1985 under coach Buzzy Capellas.
Torres-Costa and Medeiros combined on a no-hitter in the state final against Baldwin, winning 5-2 at Les Murakami Stadium on Oahu. Torres-Costa, a senior southpaw, went six innings, striking out 13, walking one and allowing two unearned runs. He got the win.
Medeiros, a sophomore southpaw, pitched one inning and sealed the victory.
Earlier in the tournament, Torres-Costa, who will play for the University of Hawaii next year, hurled a six-hit shutout to beat Castle 5-0. Medeiros then threw a three-hitter to beat Pearl City 2-1 in the semifinals.
The Warriors finished their season with a 20-0 record under first-year Waiakea coach Kevin Yee.
Enriques, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, led the Warriors to a runner-up finish to Oahu powerhouse Punahou in the state D-I volleyball championships. Enriques had a match-high 42 kills as Kamehameha fell in a five-set match at Blaisdell Arena. Earlier, he led Kamehameha to an unbeaten BIIF season.
Akau, a senior, captured the state long jump gold medal for the second straight year. He jumped 22 feet, 1.75 inches and also claimed a bronze medal in the 100-meter dash in 11.19 at states.
The Big Island athlete of the month program is sponsored by Don’s Grill, under owner Don Hoota. The athlete of the month as well as athlete and sportsperson of the year programs were founded by the late Jack Matsui.
Members of the selection committee are Hugh Clark, Ramon Goya, Stan Costales and chairman Bill O’Rear.
Nominations
Nominations for the June athlete of the month may be sent to Don’s Grill, 485 Hinano St., Hilo, HI 96720, or to Bill O’Rear, Tribune-Herald Sports, P.O. Box 767, Hilo, HI 96721; or e-mail borear@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
The deadline to submit nominations is July 1.
2012 Athletes of the Month
• January: Jason Alani, NFL Punt, Pass & Kick national champion.
• February: State champions Konawaena (girls D-I basketball), Kamehameha (girls D-II basketball), Honokaa (boys D-II soccer) and swimming champions Anu Nihipali (Hawaii Prep) and Beth Tsuha (Hilo High).
• March: Kamehameha’s Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy captured his second straight state heavyweight wrestling title.
• April: UH-Hilo softball standout Aisha Sueda.
• May: Waiakea baseball standouts Quintin Torres-Costa and Kodi Medeiros and Kamehameha volleyball star Evan Enriques and track champion Aukai Akau.