2B SPORTS FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 | WEST HAWAII TODAY FIGHT: McGregor coach predicts KO of Diaz CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Texans release franchise rushing leader Arian Foster RANI: Team Mango’s Sprint Triathlon course designed to give the best athletes on a bike an advantage CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B coming up,” Koomoa said. “Plus this ALII DRIVE SEAWALL Until a few years ago, Alii Drive’s THE COURSE According to Koomoa, the course to give athletes who excelled on the bike the advantage. This explains the short ¼-mile swim in Kailua Bay, 14-mile bike ride from the Kailua Pier to the Pitt (also known as The End of the World) and back, followed by a 2-mile sprint on Alii Drive. While stronger cyclists such as Kona’s Michael DeCarli, Kris Kiser, and Austria’s Thomas Vonach have added their names to the winner’s list in recent years, it was legendary athletes such as Kenny Gross, Mike French and Sean “Peaman” Pagett who Koomoa fondly remembered as the dominant forces early on. “Kenny Gross was a cyclist from San Jose and was Mike French’s nemesis,” he said. “Everyone knew that if Kenny was racing, then Mike would always get second. But at every event, it would be one or the other that would win. Peaman was also a threat as he was strong in all three (swim, bike, run).” Koomoa added that he considered the course a “pure race course” when Alii Drive had only one intersection – Alii Drive and Hualalai Road. “This is the one race that I really like because this one is all about speed,” he said. “Back then, Alii Drive wasn’t filled with so many cars or intersections. This was one of those races that if you put out a lot of effort, it will pay off for you in the end. And it’s short enough where you can get gutsy and go all out.” Now with having more intersections along the bike route requiring participants to slow or come to a complete stop, Koomoa says that he likes it because it helps to control those who are racing, forcing them to use their head while focusing on the task at hand. Disobeying Team Mango Race rules or disregarding traffic laws comes with a harsh penalty – disqualification. THE COMPETITION In years past Koomoa has seen an all-star list of Olympians, world champions, and IRONMAN winners toe the line such as Tim Don of Great Britain, Americans Matty Reed and Chris Lieto, and of course Kona’s very own, Bree Wee. “We typically have a very strong Canadian contingency as well as Brazilians due to training camps at this time of the year,” Koomoa said. “But a lot of times, it’s whoever drops in to mix it up with the locals.” Last year’s champion, Don and Wee, also hold the men and women’s course records of 53:42 (2015) and 58:48 (2007) respectively. And as Koomoa sees it, competition has changed over the years. “When we all started it was more rugged,” he said. “It’s all calculated now. Athletes have training programs, coaches, and all kinds of gadgets. Everyone is finishing closer together while back then, you would have more solo breakaways.” Sunday’s 24th edition of Team Mango’s Sprint Tri began with sunny skies over a serene Kailua Bay. THE RACE In the men’s race for first, Patrice Brisindi from Quebec City, Canada, led wire-to-wire to win in a fabulous time of 57 minutes and 44 seconds, while the race for second came down to a final sprint between Kona’s Dan Gampon and DeCarli. DeCarli, who won last weekend’s Terrific Turtle Trudge 5.25 footrace, began the 2-mile run just ahead of Gampon. However on the return, it was Gampon who surged ahead to steal second place in 1:00:54, with DeCarli taking third in 1:00:55. Beata Tou claimed the overall women’s title with her time of 1:11:02. April Peerless was next at 1:12:47, and Francoise Haudry of France rounded out the women’s top three in 1:16:57. An honorable mention goes out to Aiden Ankrum, who at 11-years of age was the youngest competitor out on the course and finished with an impressive time of 1:21:59. Peaman and “Iron Doc” Frank Ferren also finished in 1:41:08 and 1:59:36 respectively. While courses, competition, and event logistics have evolved over the past 24-years, it’s the original Team Mango spirit that continues to thrive – enticing athletes from around the world to show up and test their race readiness. event has been around longer. It was a big thing back in the day and that was when we were on the seawall.” famous seawall that extends from the entryway of the Kailua Pier to Hulihee Palace was the designated transition area for nearly all Team Mango triathlon events. “It used to be so casual,” he said. “We used to park on the pier, line up our bikes on the seawall, and not even worry about our stuff being stolen. You could leave something at the Pier for a week and it would still be there. I can remember one race when the entire seawall was lined up with bikes.” Since then, the transition area has moved onto the Kailua Pier with custom-made bamboo bike racks housed under shaded canopies and tents. Colored flags mark the swim-to-bike and bike-to-run aisles, while banners plastered with sponsor logos line the perimeter and finisher’s chute. For Koomoa, stepping up his game to add all the bells and whistles that typically come with larger race events was out of necessity. “We have a lot more organization now as we have a transition area, we rent the space from DLNR, we got triathlon insurance, a swim permit, and a lot of volunteers helping out on the course,” he said. “It steps it up to a first class training event and it simulates a real race venue. I know athletes appreciate that and it helps to keep everyone safe.” of the Sprint Triathlon was created Eleven-year old Aiden Ankrum was the youngest competitor to compete in Sunday's Team Mango Sprint Triathlon. He finished with a time of 1:21:59. MIKEY BROWN/COURTESY PHOTO and hard. McGregor describes his punching power as “insane,” but his coach, John Kavanagh, said his best prediction for method of knockout Saturday is “the leg … that’s what I see.” Impressive as McGregor’s 13-second knockout victory over Brazilian Jose Aldo in December was — it ended Aldo’s 10-year unbeaten streak — a knockout of Diaz could be more impressive. “I don’t believe the question is, ‘Is it possible?’ ” Kavanagh said. “It’s, ‘When?’ “ Despite the weight jump? “He’s a fighter,” Kavanagh said. “His belief is based in evidence, in how he trains. And if you train the way he does against the type of people he does, you know what you can do. And that’s why there was no hesitation in accepting the fight at another weight class.” McGregor says he trains against welterweights, and Wednesday he took delight that he awoke at 168 pounds, not needing to engage in an extreme weight cut that had him looking drawn at 145 pounds in December. “It’s not that he had to gain weight,” Kavanagh said. “It’s that he didn’t have to lose weight. This is his natural weight. I’m excited to see this.” McGregor, by fighting at 170 pounds, now has the flexibility with a Saturday victory to remain at the weight to challenge welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 200 in July. “That’s there. Why not? That’s probably the leading option,” McGregor said. “I won’t say a bad word about Robbie … but if we fought, I’m too fast.” McGregor made it clear in his post-workout session with reporters that he’s aware of the financial power he wields by being involved in main events now, and he expressed distaste in allowing Dos Anjos some of those riches. “Let me see some of these damn bums get up and fight,” McGregor said. “I just hear crying, complaining, tears … they need to fight and make some noise. Right now, I’m seeing a bunch of whiners. “Dos Anjos is an absolute … he’s still complaining. Stand up and fight!” Arian Foster’s time with the Houston Texans has ended after seven seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler, who was scheduled to make $6.5 million next season, was released on Thursday after a season when he missed 12 games with groin and Achilles tendon injuries. General manager Rick Smith announced the move. “There are not many players I respect more than Arian Foster,” Smith said. “He maximized his opportunity as an undrafted college free agent and worked to become the most productive back in franchise history and one of the most complete backs in the NFL during his tenure with the Texans. Arian has contributed much and meant a great deal to the success of the franchise over the past seven seasons and we wish him only the best as he continues his playing career.” Houston also released tight end Garrett Graham and safety Rahim Moore. The 29-year old spent time on the practice squad before rising to lead the NFL in rushing with 1,616 yards in 2010. Foster ran for 1,246 yards in 2014 for the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. He leaves Houston with a franchise-record 6,472 yards rushing and was also a threat out of the backfield, grabbing 249 receptions for 2,268 yards in his career. Foster, who went undrafted out of Tennessee before signing with the Texans in 2009, started on Houston’s practice squad before being elevated to the roster for the last six games of that season. After his spectacular 2010 season, when he led the NFL in rushing and also in yards from scrimmage with 2,220, he ran for 1,224 yards in 13 games in 2011, helping Houston to its first playoff berth. The Texans rewarded his work that offseason when they signed him to a five-year, $43.5 million contract. In his first season after the new contract he rushed for 1,424 yards on an NFL-high 351 carries and he also led the league with 15 rushing touchdowns, The Texans once again reached the postseason. He played just eight games in 2013 before his season was ended by a back injury that required surgery. He rebounded with his big performance in 2014 before finishing with a career-low 163 yards rushing in his injury-plagued 2015 campaign. Foster is recovering from surgery to repair his torn Achilles tendon and has said that he plans to play this season. BY KRISTIE RIEKEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NFL Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, a four-time Pro Bowler, was released by the Texans on Thursday after a season where he missed 12 games with groin and Achilles tendon injuries. BEN MARGOT/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BASEBALL: Waiakea pushes 4 runs across the plate in the 2nd inning Waiakea’s No. 3 hitter, produced an early 4-0 lead. Andres doubled and Octavio hit a grounder to first baseman Nick Antony, who tried to cut down courtesy runner Joey Ongais, but his throw sailed over third base, leading to the first unearned run. Shaun Kurosawa followed with a ground ball to third baseman Factora, who fired to first base but the ball was dropped for another error and unearned run. Cox then allowed a single to No. 9 hitter Mackanzy Maesaka and walked Nate Minami before being pulled for Ragual, who entered in quite a pickle: bases full, one out and Mondina on deck. Ragual got a forceout at home, on a throw from Factora to catcher Josh Breitbarth. But Mondina was up next and dunked a 2-1 pitch into shallow center for a two-run single. Waiakea made it 5-0 in the third when Octavio crushed a triple to right center field and scored on Kurosawa’s groundout. In the sixth, the Warriors added three insurance runs off Factora, who gave up two-out RBI singles to Trayden Tamiya and Benevides and beaned Andres with the bases filled for an 8-0 cushion. Waiakea wasn’t finished scoring and didn’t need to hit the ball hard to push across three more runs in the seventh. Mondina walked with the bases loaded, and Benevides lofted a high ball that dropped between a pair of infielders. That’s scored as a hit, despite two Vikings in position to catch the ball. Two runs scored on that play. And three of the runs were off hit by pitches. Basically, it wasn’t Hilo’s night, mostly because Andres pitched like a historic ace. Waiakea 041 003 3 — 11 12 0 Hilo 000 000 0 — 0 1 2 SOFTBALL HONOKAA 7, HPA 5 (8 INN.) Honokaa pulled out a nail-biter against Hawaii Prep on Thursday, winning 7-5 in eight innings. Both teams only scored one run through the first five innings, before adding a run each in both the sixth and seventh inning. The Dragons batted first in the eighth and scored two runs off a double by Tyrah Fernandez. Honokaa added two more runs off walks. Hawaii Prep tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh when Katt Chong Gum was hit by a pitch, Sara Heymann singled, and Sneha Nair knocked in both runners. However, a Fernandez ground ball to short ended the game. Destynee Carvalho picked up the win for the Dragons inside the circle. She struck out four and walked none. Kia‘i Lindsey took the loss for HPA, allowing five walks and striking out four. Sakura Remsen led the HPA offense with a home run in the bottom of the first inning. Heymann and Emily Fong had three hits apiece. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B
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