ISLE FILE
Kim shoots 67 to lead prestigious junior golf event
Advertiser Staff
Former Big Island resident Kimberly Kim shot a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 yesterday to take a three-stroke lead after one round of the Thunderbird International Junior at Scottsdale, Ariz.
Honolulu's Ayaka Kaneko, a Sacred Hearts Academy student, shares second with Florida's Vicky Hurst in the 36-player field for players 14 to 18 years old.
Stephanie Kono, a Punahou School student, is tied with nine others for 18th after shooting a 76.
Florida's Arnond Vongvanij shot a 6-under-par 66 for a one-stroke lead in the 42-player boys field.
The tournament annually attracts the top junior golfers in the world. There are golfers from 16 countries, including representatives from 18 states.
Kim made five birdies, but pointed to her pars at No. 9 and 18 as the key to her round on the 6,271-yard Grayhawk Golf Club Raptor Course. She made a sweeping left-to-right 60-foot par putt on the par-4 ninth, after taking unplayable relief because of a poor tee shot. On the par-5 18th, she hit her second shot behind the leaderboard. After taking a free drop, she hit her third into a back bunker, only to get up-and-down for another scrambling par.
"I'm lucky because if you have a bad day on this course, it's really bad," said Kim, who now lives in Arizona. "Even if you are having a good day, a little mistake can make things bad really quick."
MORE GOLF
SUYETSUGU, KIM QUALIFY
Xyra Suyetsugu of Honolulu and Kyung Kim of Wailuku each shot 3-over-par 75 yesterday to share medalist honors at the USGA Women's Amateur Public Links Sectional Qualifier at Kapalua on Maui.
They both earned berths to the national public links tournament, which will be held at the Kearney Hills Golf Links in Lexington, Ky., June 18 to 23.
Dayna Bersamin of Kihei secured the first alternate spot by defeating Lisa Kajihara of Makawao on the second playoff hole after they both shot 79.
TRACK
MURRAY MAKES NCAAS
University of Hawai'i's Novelle Murray threw the discus 176 feet, 6 inches yesterday to finish second at the NCAA West Regional Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
The senior from Surrey, British Columbia qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 6 to 9 in Sacramento, Calif. She will be joined there by teammate Annett Wichmann, who earned an automatic spot after winning the heptathlon at the Western Athletic Conference Championships.
Also yesterday, UH sophomore Jessica Trujillo cleared the opening height of 12 feet in the pole vault, but failed to advance.
WATER POLO
UH PLAYERS HONORED
Senior Amy Logan led seven University of Hawai'i teammates who were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic team.
Logan earned a 3.61 grade point average while majoring in sociology.
Also selected were: senior Meike De Nooy with a 3.57 GPA in psychology; sophomore Robin Harney with a 3.47 GPA in kinesiology; senior Anna Sieprath with a 3.47 GPA in international business; sophomore Kristin Swanson with a 3.38 GPA in photography; senior Kristy Bagnall, who earned a degree in elementary education, with a 3.28 GPA; sophomore Jen Hohl with a 3.25 GPA in kinesiology/leisure science; and sophomore Lisa van Raalte with a 3.08 GPA in kinesiology/leisure science.
To be eligible, athletes must have a 3.00 or better cumulative GPA and be at least a sophomore academically; completed one full academic year at the member institution prior to this season; and competed in 50 percent or more of the institution's competitions.
SOCCER
HILO ADDS GOALKEEPER
The Hawai'i-Hilo women's soccer program has added goalkeeper Randi Walters from Oxnard Junior College (Calif.), interim head coach Travis Clarke announced.
Walters was named Player of the Year in the Western State Conference, first-team all-Ventura County and team MVP.
In 2006, Walters logged 1,976 minutes and had a goals-against-average of 1.001. She made 150 saves, including three games of 10 or more.
