Sports

Sale Sproat on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Sale Sproat on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’

Professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Sale Sproat is humble and shy by nature. But when the soft-spoken Molokai boy learned about a casting call for television show “The Ultimate Fighter,” he didn’t hesitate to answer it.

“Sale’s been dominating in Hawaii for three years,” said his Molokai coach, Beau Kikukawa. “He’s the top 185-pound fighter in Hawaii. That’s an accomplishment from a small community.”

Sproat was training at least six hours per day for fight on Oahu the following week when he shared his plans with fellow fighters of Molokai MMA club, Relentless MMA.

“I told my guys, I’m going to fly out [to Las Vegas] and try out,” he recalls.…

Lady Farmers Score MIL Title, Head to States

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013

Lady Farmers Score MIL Title, Head to States

As the overtime clock ticked down to its final seconds, Molokai High and Seabury Hall were tied for the tenth time and the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL)Girls Division II Championship was anybody’s game.

The Lady Farmers claimed the victory, though, with one solid shot and two successful free throws in the last 29 seconds, securing a 53-49 win. The Lady Farmers claimed the MIL Championship title and sent the fans and players into wild celebration, according to the Maui News’ report of the game, played at Maui High School’s gym. The win brought the Lady Farmers their tenth MIL championship since 1985, when the team first entered the league.…

Pulling for Peace: Ka Molokai Makahiki 2013

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Pulling for Peace: Ka Molokai Makahiki 2013

 

Competitors from Kualapu`u and Kilohana Schools face off on opposite ends of the rope, and the crowd begins to roar as game official Hanohano Naehu announces the beginning of the match. With toes digging into the grass, students lean back on the line. On one side, Kualapu`u Principal Lydia Trinidad leans forward, her hands clenched, gesturing wildly to egg on her students. Kilohana Principal Richard Stevens paces the other end of the line, urging his crimson-clad athletes to hold tight. Smiles turn to grimaces, inching the ti leaf tied in the middle of the rope toward the victory line. With a final heave, Kualapu`u lunges for the win.…

Molokai Boxer to Enter National Competition

Thursday, January 24th, 2013

Molokai Boxer to Enter National Competition

Molokai Southside Boxing Club News Release

Three young boxers from Hawaii, including Hunter-Gabriel Manaba of Molokai, made the cross-country journey to the first-ever USA Boxing Junior World Team Open held in Reno, Nevada January 7 to 11. The event showcased many of the nation’s top 15 and16 year old boxers vying for the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the 2013 AIBA Junior Men’s World Championships.

Tournament action began with preliminary rounds on Monday, Jan. 7 and Tuesday, Jan. 8 at the Grand Sierra Resort & Spa with each session beginning at 6 p.m. nightly. Kauai native Kristopher Alcos did not advance to the quarterfinals which took place on Wednesday, Jan.…

Strong Weekend for Basketball

Thursday, January 10th, 2013

Strong Weekend for Basketball

Photo by Rick Schonely, caption by Dispatch Staff

The Molokai High School Boys Basketball team swept Lanai last weekend in two home games played at Kaunakakai Gym. On Friday, the Farmers edged out the Pine Lads 62-53, with Hauoli Falealii scoring 22 points for Molokai, David Rapanot added 19 and Paka Adolpho had 16. On Saturday, the boys again beat Lanai 49-39. High scorers were Falealii with 25 points and Adolpho with 10. The boys will be playing against St. Anthony at home this weekend.

The Molokai Girls Basketball team also had a strong weekend over the Pine Lasses in Lanai City.…

Special Olympics Basketball Takes Gold

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

The Molokai Special Olympics basketball team is on a roll bringing home the gold, taking the championship on Oahu for the past seven years, according to Molokai Special Olympics Coordinator Rita Kalahiki. This year, though, they played with a mixed team of both veteran and less experienced players — and still won gold last weekend at the annual statewide Holiday Classic.

“The team was too good, no one would play against them,” said Kalahiki of the basketball team’s success streak. So in order for the competition to agree to play against Molokai this year, Kalahiki said she had to mix up the island’s three teams of different levels — A, B and C teams — to form two new A teams.…

MHS Athletes Ready for Winter Season

Sunday, December 9th, 2012

As the holiday season nears, most students are getting ready for winter break, but athletes at Molokai High School (MHS) have been busy preparing for their upcoming season. Swimming, Wrestling, Girls’ Canoe Paddling, Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ basketball have all been training hard in hopes of making it to the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships this year.

Swimming

Water sports are a large part of the lifestyle on Molokai, so naturally the Friendly Isle has produced some of the state’s top swimmers, including state-record holder Ilia Reyes, whose time for the 50 meter freestyle qualified him for the Olympic trials last year.…

Kickin It With the NFL

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

Kickin It With the NFL

Four Molokai youth whose football skills show exceptional promise are getting an exceptional opportunity. Alika Balbas, Cassidy Victorino, Erik Svetin and Chelsen “Ena” Victorino have all advanced in the National Football League (NFL)’s Punt, Pass and Kick (PPK) program and will be representing Hawaii on Dec. 2 in San Diego as part of the team competition level. They are four of 10 youth from the state who will get to show off their skills in the San Diego Chargers stadium before the game.

“I am proud to be representing Molokai and Hawaii at the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition,” said 13-year-old Erik.…

Molokai Volleyball Player Earns Honors

Sunday, November 25th, 2012

Molokai Volleyball Player Earns Honors

Linfield College News Release

Linfield Volleyball’s top offensive weapon Kailana Ritte-Camara, a sophomore from Molokai, has been named to the 2012 All-Northwest Conference Volleyball Second Team. The honor was announced last week following a vote of the league’s coaches.

The sophomore outside hitter led the Wildcats with 2.73 kills per set, totaling 259 for the year. She ranked 11th in the conference in that category, while also adding 27 assists, 27 service aces, 298 digs and 27 total blocks.

Ritte-Camara registered double-digit kills 15 times during the 2012 season, including a season high of 17 against Willamette. Starting all 24 matches, she ranked third on the club in digs per set (3.65) and second in service aces (27).…

New Athletic Trainer on Molokai

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

For nearly the past two years, Molokai High School (MHS) athletes have been competing at a disadvantage –they’ve been without an athletic trainer. However, the Farmers got a new athletic trainer this month who will tend to their injuries and ensure they are able to play at their physical best.

Deborah Thompson, a California native, moved to Molokai and officially began work as MHS’ athletic trainer on Nov. 1. She brings 30 years of experience as an athletic trainer, working at both the high school and college level. She has also worked as an orthopedic technician and assistant surgeon in California for 12 years.…