Four multitalented student-athletes with a wealth of success at the local and state levels have been named the recipients of the 12th Annual Roy Fujimoto Athletic Scholarships.
Four multitalented student-athletes with a wealth of success at the local and state levels have been named the recipients of the 12th Annual Roy Fujimoto Athletic Scholarships.
The scholarship winners, Kamehameha’s Evan Enriques and Casey Poe, Konawaena’s Evyn Yamaguchi and Keaau’s Charlie Belmes, will each be awarded a $1,500 stipend to be used for college.
The annual scholarship program, named after former Big Island Interscholastic Federation Executive Director Roy Fujimoto, who retired in 2004, is for senior student-athletes. It is sponsored by KTA Super Stores and the BIIF.
The recipients are chosen based on their athletic and academic achievement as well as community service. Twenty-two Big Island student-athletes applied for the 2014 scholarships.
BIIF Executive Director Lyle Crozier said the committee selected four student-athletes “that we believe are outstanding recipients for the scholarships.”
“The selection committee felt that Evan, Casey, Evyn and Charlie excelled in their athletic accomplishments as well as in their strong academic work and community service,” Crozier said.
The honorees:
• Evan Enriques, a Kamehameha senior who was four-year standout in volleyball and led the Warriors to a pair of state Division I runner-up finishes in his sterling prep career. As a sophomore, Enriques led Kamehameha to the state D-I final against powerful Punahou. He had a tournament-record 42 kills in a five-set loss to the tall Buffanblu. Then this past season as a senior, Enriques led the Warriors to the BIIF title and a return trip to the state D-I finals against Punahou. The Oahu squad beat Kamehameha in four sets, despite 28 kills and 20 digs from the versatile Enriques.
Enriques was a three-time all-state player in volleyball, including the state Player of the Year as a sophomore. He was also a three-time BIIF Division I Player of the Year, and made several all-tournament teams during his prep career.
Enriques will attend Stanford University in the fall and play volleyball for the Cardinal. He will major in business economics.
Enriques had a cumulative 4.04 grade point average at Kamehameha and scored 1640 on his SAT. He was a two-year member of the National Honor Society and named to the private school’s Head Masters List (4.0-plus) four straight years.
Evan is the son of Guy and Julie Enriques of Pahala. Guy was the Kamehameha head coach during his son’s four-year volleyball career.
• Casey Poe, a Kamehameha senior who was a four-year standout in basketball and track and field. She led the Warriors’ basketball team to two state Division II titles and two state runner-up finishes; and three BIIF Division II titles. She was a four-time all-state selection, including the state tournament’s Most Outstanding Player in 2012 and 2013, and the BIIF’s East Hawaii Player of the Year in those same two seasons. She led Kamehameha to three BIIF D-II titles in four years.
Over her four-year career, Poe was one of the most successful and most honored basketball players in BIIF history.
In track and field this year, Poe was a state champion in the triple jump to go along with BIIF champion in the triple jump and on the 400 relay team; runner-up in the 100 hurdles; and third in the 300 hurdles. As a junior, she was the BIIF champion in the 100 hurdles and on her school’s 400 relay.
Poe will attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., in the fall on a basketball scholarship. She will major in English and creative writing.
Poe had a 3.62 cumulative GPA and scored 1450 on her SAT.
Casey is the daughter of Shannon and Tracy Poe of Hilo.
• Evyn Yamaguchi, a Konawaena senior who was a standout in baseball and football. In baseball, he was an All-BIIF Division II catcher for the Wildcats and led them to two straight trips to the state Division II tournament. Konawaena finished fifth in 2013, with Yamaguchi, a two-time team captain, leading the way.
In football, Yamaguchi, a two-year team captain, was an All-BIIF Division II linebacker. He helped the Wildcats claim three straight BIIF championships and trips to play in the state playoffs.
In 2014, Yamaguchi was named Konawaena’s Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year.
Yamaguchi will attend Eastern Arizona College in the fall on a baseball scholarship. He will major in fire science/paramedics.
Yamaguchi had a 3.68 GPA and scored 1390 on his SAT.
Evyn is the son of Kevin and Emma Yamaguchi of Kealakekua.
• Charlie Belmes, a Keaau senior who was a team captain in basketball, cross country and track and field. In basketball, he was a 3-point specialist and like in each sport he participated in, he led by example in his all-out play and team contributions.
Belmes was an all-around Keaau student who fared well in the classroom, school government, in athletics, and participated in various other school activities as well as community service projects. He was ranked first in his class of 199 for four straight years.
Belmes will attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the fall. He will major in civil engineering.
Belmes had a cumulative 4.04 GPA and scored 1490 on his SAT.
Charlie is the son of Alberto and Teresita Belmes of Keaau.
Annual recipients include:
• 2003: Mikela Yarawamai (HPA), Bronson Ganir (Pahoa), Erica Chong (Hilo High) and Brad Lau (HPA).
• 2004: Susan Gleed (HPA), Matt Haasenritter (Hilo High), Kyle Teves (Kealakehe) and Kelsey Harrity (Konawaena).
• 2005: Jessica Hanato (Konawaena), Johanson Quist (Hilo High), Francesca Weems (Kealakehe) and Michael Kopra (HPA).
• 2006: Landon Kurata (Waiakea), Katrina Chong (Hilo High), Leon Peralto (Kamehameha) and Jackie Ganiron (Pahoa).
• 2007: Kela Fitzgerald (HPA), Kellie Kitaoka (Konawaena), Kimberly Kopra (HPA) and Keoni Ucker (Christian Liberty).
• 2008: Ryan Higa (Waiakea), Cecily Kimura (HPA), Preston Vierra (Honokaa) and Megan Wery (Kamehameha).
• 2009: Jake Shiraki (Honokaa), Noelani Vargas (HPA), Johnathan Viernes (Pahoa) and Sam Unger (Konawaena).
• 2010: Kaitlyn Chock (Waiakea), Sage Johnson (Honokaa), Tayler Wang (HPA) and Brandon Bautista (Kohala).
• 2011: Richard Handy Jr. (Keaau), Anuhea Wall (Konawaena), Tialana Greenwell (Honokaa) and Morgan Rapozo (Waiakea).
• 2012: Dawnyelle Awa (Konawaena), Jaclanne Pagala (Keaau), Chayce Moniz (Honokaa) and Megan Aina (Kamehameha).
• 2013: Zoe Sims (HPA), Marley Strand-Nicolaisen (Ka’u), Talon Ota (Keaau) and Ke Kula ‘O’ Ehunuikaimalino’s Ke’oulikamaha ‘oakauanoe Ruedy (Konawaena).
• 2014: Evan Enriques (Kamehameha), Casey Poe (Kamehameha), Evyn Yamaguchi (Konawaena) and Charlie Belmes (Keaau).
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Members of the selection committee are Lyle Crozier (BIIF Executive Director), Ron Tomosada (Pahoa AD), Keith Tolentino (Honokaa AD), Kalei Namohala (Ka’u AD), Stan Costales (Sports Line), Bill O’Rear (Tribune-Herald sports editor), Bobbie Awa (Konawaena basketball coach) and Craig Hamamoto (KTA Super Stores).
Roy Fujimoto (former BIIF executive director) is an honorary member.