ISLE FILE
Wichmann sixth in NCAA heptathlon
Advertiser Staff
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University of Hawai'i heptathlete Annett Wichmann amassed a school-record 5,670 points to finish sixth and earn All-America status yesterday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.
Wichmann and high jumpers Amber Kaufman and Emily Sheppard, who earned All-America status on Friday, helped Hawai'i score 10 points to finish in a four-way tie for 25th — its best showing ever. The Rainbow Wahine, whose previous best finish was 32 in 1984, outscored other notable programs such as UCLA, Texas, Washington State, Washington, Alabama, Nebraska and Illinois among the 64 schools competing.
"To have three All-Americans is huge, I don't know how many other schools can say that," said UH head coach Carmyn James. "All three girls ended the season on a positive note, they all came on strong at the WAC (Championships), regionals and this week."
Wichmann started the day in 12th place, and slipped further behind when she placed 21st in the long jump with 18 feet, 5 inches. She moved up after the javelin — her best event — when she threw it 153 feet, 7 inches — the third-best mark and her personal best in the heptathlon.
With sixth place in reach, Wichmann ran the 800 meters in a blistering 2 minutes, 19.18 seconds — the fourth-best time of the day.
"Annett's pretty happy with her score, but there's always room for improvement," James said. "Her personal goal was 5,700, which she came within 30 points. If she had a normal shot put (Friday), a mark she usually does in practice, she could've finished in third place. But she did so well in some of the other events, including the 800 ... to jump two spots in the final event is an accomplishment."
Arizona State's Jacquelyn Johnson won her fourth straight NCAA heptathlon title with 6,053 points. Minnesota's Liz Roehrig was second with 5,811 and Michigan's Bettie Wade third with 5,738.
BASEBALL
'AIEA ALUM CASTILLO SIGNS WITH MARINERS
Recent 'Aiea High graduate Randy Castillo signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners yesterday.
Castillo, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-handed pitcher with a fastball clocked between 90 and 92 mph, was selected in the 31st round by the Mariners in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft on June 6. Contract terms were not disclosed.
Castillo said he will be assigned to the Mariners' Arizona (Rookie) League team in Peoria, Ariz., and is looking to leave Hawai'i on Thursday.
"It's really exciting," said Castillo, who added his contract includes money for college. "I'm satisfied."
GOLF
MAEKAWA EARNS BERTH IN U.S. PUBLIC LINKS
Sean Maekawa, of Pa'auilo, advanced to the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship next month in Colorado after winning a qualifier yesterday at Hilo Municipal Golf Course.
Maekawa, a freshman at the University of Oregon, shot even-par 142 (70-72) to win by six strokes over Kamehameha-Hawai'i student Pono Calip (75-73) and Waiakea High student Matt Kitamori (74-74).
Calip is the first alternate after beating Kitamori on the first playoff hole.
Twenty-five players competed in the 36-hole event.
It will be Maekawa's fourth trip to the national championship, which will be July 14 to 19 at Murphy Creek Golf Course in Aurora, Colo.
Last week, Kapa'a's Kellen Watabu advanced to the national tournament by winning the Kaua'i Sectional at Wailua Municipal Golf Course.
