Waiakea juniors
claim tourney
Hilo’s Kianna Oda and Maile Brilhante claimed the doubles championship Monday at a U.S. Tennis Association’s national junior tournament in Honolulu.
The Waiakea juniors earned an early service break against Leyden Games and Amber Marie Lee of California, winning 6-4.
Each credited the other for their composure.
“It was very close, especially when there are no ad points,” Brilhante said in a USTA release. “(Kianna) definitely kept me together.”
Said Oda, “We knew that (they) were going to have good groundstrokes, so we had to make our volleys and first serves and stay consistent. At times, I was nervous, but (Maile) kept me together as well.”
Puna 50s shine
at Molokai Hoe
Puna won the men’s 50 division at the Molokai Hoe, the 41-mile canoe paddling race from Molokai to Waikiki on Sunday in 5 hours and 29 minutes, good for 21st overall. The crewmembers were Kevin Thompson, Dave Okita, Troy Parker Bailey, Louie Mendonca, Bubba Baldado, Kevin Kaluna, Ian Foo, and Bruce Ayau.
Other Big Island clubs were:
• Red Bull Wa’a, second in the open class in 4:44:21.
• Puna, 13th In the open class in 5:13:55.
• Keaukaha, 16th in the open class in 5:19:38.
• Kai Ehitu, 26th in the master 40 in 5:3:12.
• Kai Opua, 34th in the open class in 5:41:21.
• Kai Opua, 35th in the open class in 5:41:33.
• Kawaihae, 47th in the open class in 5:52:50.
• Kai Ehitu, 62nd in the open class in 6:09:58.
• Kai Opua, 78th in the junior division, in 6:21:09.
Freshman leads
UHH women
UH-Hilo freshman Gabriella Esquibell carded a 4-over 77 on Monday and was five shots off the lead after the first round of the Western Washington Invitational.
The Vulcans were last of 13 teams at 40-over. Senior Andi Igawa shot an 80, while freshman Carli Shimokihara shot an 85, followed by Kasumi Goto (90), Kaelyn Uchida (93) and Keely Kitamura (94).
More golf
• Hilo’s Agnes Yamauchi finished with a 30-over 102 on Sunday at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur in Vero Beach, Florida, failing to qualify for match play.
Diving club
starting in Hilo
Diving coach DJ Freedman is starting a platform and springboard diving club, Hilo HI-Diving, at Kawamoto Swim Stadium, with support from Parks and Recreation.
A free event will be held noon Sunday, and all ages and abilities can learn more platform and springboard diving.
For more information, email Freedman at dj@hilohidiving.org.