Sports

Winning Big at Molokai Stampede

Saturday, December 11th, 2010

At last month’s Molokai Stampede, nearly 100 teams and hundreds of cowboys and girls competed for the largest cache of prizes that rodeos in the state of Hawaii have to offer.

In its fourth year, the rodeo has gotten bigger and better, said Kapualei Ranch Manager Reyn Dudoit. The cash and prizes this year totaled $25,000, ranging from saddles to a horse and a TV.

“Our main focus was to put in [whole] roping – it’s what draws everybody to the island,” Dudoit said, adding that they also included women’s and kid’s roping that off-island rodeos don’t usually offer.

The big prize – a quad ATV – is the biggest roping prize in the state. To earn it, a roper has to have a sharp horse, draw good cattle, have reliable partners and luck, according to Stoney Pocock. His 15 years of experience helped him win it.

“It feels good any time you win something like that,” he said. Pocock is also Dudoit’s son-in-law, and was on hand to help set up the rodeo he competed in.

The ranch goes by American Cowboy Team Roping Association standards. Pocock is a three on a 10-point scale, but the standards are severe – his wife Real said the highest roper in Hawaii is a five.

Each contestant may enter with six partners, who rely on each other to gain points. As the contestants compete with each partner, points are awarded to the team with the fastest times. Points are also awarded to the team with the fastest times on 3 go rounds, or an "average," according to Real.

Prizes are an important draw for rodeos since riding horses is an expensive hobby.

“For us, it’s a family oriented thing,” Real Pocock said. “My kids rope on the dummy…If it wasn’t a hobby I could drive a Ferrari.”

With a barrel of hay costing just $7 on the mainland and $30-plus in Hawaii – plus shoeing, veterinarian care and other upkeep – roping is a sport you have to love.

“It’s worth it just to see our family do things that they love,” she added. “And be able to go back to Molokai.”

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Put to the Test

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

As a teacher at Molokai High School, Rodney Nelson lectures on algebra, geometry and physics without breaking a sweat.

But last month, competing in the Ironman triathlon in Tempe, Arizona, he faced a daunting equation: swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles.

When he finally crossed the finish line 15 hours, 46 minutes later, Nelson, 27, said he felt delirious.

“I felt proud, happy, accomplished… I felt like I had done what I’d set out to do,” he said.

Nelson set the goal to complete in the ultimate triathlon four years ago.

“Everyone has to measure themselves as least once,” he said. “This is how I chose to measure myself.”

After competing in shorter triathlons, including a half Ironman in Kona two years ago, he started training nine months ago, riding his bike from Kaunakakai to Rock Point, and later out to Pu`u O Hoku, and running from town to the high school once a week.

His training regiment was disrupted when Cooke Memorial Pool closed for repairs in October, forcing him to swim laps in Dixie Maru where he was conscious of the possibility of running into shark.

“Swimming at Dixie was like walking through the jungle,” he said.

Cheering him on along the race were his father, mother, sister, brother, sister-in-law and cousin, who flew out from New York state.

Next for Nelson is the half marathon on Maui in January. As for another Ironman race, Nelson said he’s not ruling it out.

“If I have the time to train for it and be exhausted all the time again, I’ll do it.”

Rodney Nelson would like to thank his friend and family for their support, biking buddy Will Carlson, all the people who looked out for the “crazy man running in the night” and God.

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Worth the Weight

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

How does it feel to hold 600 pounds in two hands, with every muscle in your body straining with tension, sweat and strength?

“It feels great,” said 19-year old Dean Crowell.

Molokai-born Crowell dead lifted 600.7 pounds at the World Association of Benchers and Deadlifters World Championships (WABDL) in Las Vegas last month, earning him first place in the 18-19-year-old heavyweight division, a third place national ranking for deadlift.

“It’s a struggle, but when you get it up it’s the best feeling to know you can pull that much,” said Crowell, who admits his muscles are still recovering three weeks later.

Crowell, who has been lifting weights all his life, was inspired to take his training to the next level two years ago after meeting longtime lifter Wilbert Kaimikaua, at the Na Pu`uwai gym.

“I remember I went to his house and saw his trophies, and that gave me they inspiration to be like him and get my own trophies,” Crowell said.

In the last year, Crowell competed in five competitions and placed first in each one. The WABDL event was his first on the mainland. He competed as part of Team Hawaii, which placed first overall, taking on lifters from Canada, Sweden and Brazil.

His trip there was sponsored by civic clubs on Oahu, where he now lives.

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