ISLE FILE
Takata wins judo gold medal in El Salvador
Advertiser Staff
Taylor Takata, who now trains with the national program in Texas, won a gold medal at the II Copa Yaniro Ramos Vigil in San Salvador, El Salvador.
Takata won the 66-kilogram (146 pounds) division in his first competition since finishing second at Senior Nationals in April. His was one of four golds won by the U.S.
Takata is a 2000 'Iolani School graduate from Wahiawa and a two-time Pan Am champion.
The three-event series also includes tournaments in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
SOCCER
HPU BOLSTERS TEAMS
The Hawai'i Pacific women's and men's teams each added two recruits for next season.
Kapolei High grad Pualeilani Pedrina and Castle High alum Tami Kalaiwaa will join the Sea Warrior women's program.
Coach Mark Kane says Pedrina is "fast, skilled and persistent in attack," while Kalaiwaa, an O'ahu Interscholastic Association East All-Star, is "quick, skilled and versatile."
Moanalua High alum Rayden Tsutsui and Western Nebraska Community College transfer Drew Oesterle will join HPU's men's program.
Coach Scott Liedtke said Tsutsui, who earned All-OIA East and All-State honors, is "very good with the ball at his feet," while Oesterle is "a very active and aggressive defender."
BASKETBALL
HPU SIGNS TWO MORE
Swingman Rod Harmon and guard Jason McKinney will join the Hawai'i Pacific men's basketball program next season.
Harmon averaged 9.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game last season at Santa Ana College in Southern California.
HPU coach Darren Vorderbruegge says the 6-foot-4 1/2 Harmon, who shot 41 percent from 3-point range, "appears to be an outstanding fit for our program."
Vorderbruegge hopes the 5-foot-10 McKinney, who played at Los Angeles Southwest College, will "provide a spark to our play because of his quickness."
