2B SPORTS FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2016 | WEST HAWAII TODAY RANI: Seventeen year old Malik Mariano wins Kua Bay Training Time Trial with time of 30 minutes flat thought, wow, this is amazing. Here is the best place to train - everyday to swim, bike and run.” Graca, who was born and raised in Brazil, said he got hooked by the triathlon bug 10-years ago and later competed in his first IRONMAN race in his hometown. “My first IRONMAN was in Brazil, Florianopolis in 2010,” he said. “I really like that distance. But it wasn’t until 2012 that I qualified for Kona and I did it ever since.” Graca’s results is a mere reflection of his passion toward a sport that requires more than just grit and determination to get to triathlon’s most famous start line. At his first Kona attempt in 2012, he broke the 10-hour barrier, finishing in an impressive time of 9 hours, 57 minutes and 29 seconds. And ever since then, he has qualified for a spot to compete among the world’s best triathletes - each year bringing down his finishing time until finally reaching a personal best of 9:29:16 just last year. Now, as a resident of Kailua-Kona, Graca has turned his attention to the local racing scene, recently competing in his first Peaman biathlon event at Sunday’s Zoomin’ Zak Plunge and Plod Biathlon. Strong south swells Kainoa Jones named to Baseball Factory National team The Big Island’s Kainoa “Boo” Jones recently attended the Under Armor Baseball Factory Showcase in Oahu where he was evaluated by several professional scouts and provided development techniques on how to improve his game. The impression he left at the showcase was a lasting one. Jones was selected to represent the state as part of the Under Armor Baseball Factory National Team. As a member of the team, Jones will compete in the California Select Training & Competition held in La Verne, California July 10-13. He will also have the opportunity to compete in the Baseball Factory World Series at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida July 29-Aug. 2. “I am very excited to have made this prestigious team of outstanding baseball players,” Jones said. “We will be competing against some of the best players and teams in the country and will be coached by professional players and pro scouts. Jones is currently seeking sponsors to help pay for the trips. He must raise $6,000 to cover his portion of the expenses, which include food, hotel, travel, coaching, training, uniforms, registration and insurance. Donations can be made in the form of a check, paid out to Baseball Factory, and mailed directly to Jones at 74-5201 Kihawahine Place, Kailua-Kona, Hi., 96740. For more information on Baseball Factory, visit www. baseballfactory.com. Hawaii Cycling Club Event March 13: The Hawaii Cycling Club will host The Dragon, a unique road race, featuring nine hills in the Keauhou area. Good for strength workout. Race a hill, wait until everyone has finished, ride casually to the next hill, race the hill, etc. Gain 2000 vertical feet. The event is free but all participants are required to have an Annual USA Cycling or a $10 one Day USA Cycling Membership for insurance. Pre-registration is required. HCC members have priority. Go to hawaiicyclingclub. com and click on “Dragon” to register. April 3: The 3rd annual Hawaii Century is a benefit for Hospice of Kona. Good for endurance. The Century starts and ends at Spencer Beach Park. While this is a non-competitive ride many cyclists will fit this into their training schedule. Cyclists have the choice of three routes: 30, 60 or 109 miles. Exceptional lunch will be available at the end. Aid stations approximately every 20 miles. Pre-registration and additional information are at hawaiicyclingclub. com. Click on “Century” to register at active.com. The Century entry fee is $50. To find out how students 18 and under may participate for free email: hcccentury@yahoo. com. Through March 26: On Saturdays there will be a Couch to Bike, Yes You Can! training session. Each training session will start at 7 a.m. at the Kona swimming pool and end at Bike Works. For training plans, cold drinks, a brief lecture and Q&A, email hcccouch@yahoo.com. Go to www.hawaiicyclingclub. com for additional information on other HCC events. Lavekids Family Fun Runs On Saturday, March 19, LavaKids, in partnership with Club Rehab, will host its Family Fun Runs at 7 a.m. on Ane Keohokalole Highway between Palani Road and Kealakehe High School. Look for the Lavaman flags on the mauka side of the road. This is a free event and open to all ages. The guest speaker this month will be Coach David Baldwin, who will talk about the importance of form and function while running. Registration will take place at 7 a.m. followed by a keiki dash at 7:45 a.m.. The one-mile and 2-mile run/walk will begin at 7:55 a.m. with the 5k run/walk right after. This event is open to both keiki and adults. Games and supervision will be provided for keiki during the 5k for parents wanting to participate. Pre-register at lavakids.org for extra chances to win raffle for prizes. For more information visit www.lavakids.org or contact eventinfo@lavakids..org. Hawaii State Junior Golf Association’s Thos Rohr Scholarship The Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA) has announced the establishment of a new college scholarship opportunity sponsored by Waikoloa Land Company in the name of Thos Rohr. The scholarship is an annual award for residents of Hawaii Island who are members of the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association. The application is currently available online at hsjga.org Thos Rohr, former President of Waikoloa Land Company, has a 50-plus year history of significant contributions to the game of golf, the Hawaii golf industry and various golf communities and organizations. The HSJGA is currently accepting applications for its three other college scholarships: The C. Pardee and Betsy Erdman College Scholarship and the HSJGA College Scholarship. Applications and requirements can be found online at hsjga.org. The deadline to submit applications is April 29. For questions or comments, please contact Lauren Yama at 808-532-0559 or hsjgaoffice@ gmail.com. Hawaii Junior Golf Day The Aloha Section Professional Golf Association (ASPGA) and Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (HSJGA), has partnered up to bring you Hawaii Junior Golf Day, happening on March 19th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at various locations around the state. Aloha Section PGA President, Lance Taketa, and a host of local professionals, will be running the Hawaii Junior Golf Day on the Big Island at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course and the Kona Country Club The event is open to kids ages of 5 and 18 who might be interested in learning the wonderful game of golf. To register, go to bijga.org or hsjga.org. Schools seeking coaches Waiakea High School: The Warriors are accepting applications for a varsity girls basketball head coach. Applications can be picked up at the Waiakea High School main office during the business hoursfo 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications are due by March 31 at 4 p.m. Applications are to be returned to the Waiakea High School main office. The selected candidate is required to pass the Hawaii DOE Criminal Background check. For more information contact athletic director Tom Correa at 974-4830. Kealakehe High School: The Waveriders are looking for assistant track coaches. Anyone interested in helping coach high school track athletes, please contact Athletic Director Alan Vogt via email at alan_vogt@notes. k12.hi.us or phone 313-3774. Canoe clubs looking for paddlers Kai ‘Ehitu: Kai ‘Ehitu Outrigger Team is holding open registration for the upcoming outrigger canoe racing season which runs from spring-summer. Registration is open for children and adults, both seasoned and beginner paddlers. For more information visit kaiehitu.org Keauhou Canoe Club: Keauhou Canoe Club announces the start of practice for the 2016 paddling season at Keauhou Bay for the most junior members. “Special Events” paddlers under age 12 are invited to paddling practice every Monday and Wednesday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. These young paddlers will be able to participate in the Special Events race which is held at the beginning of every Canoe Regatta all season long. Uncles Tandy and Kalani will be their coaches this year. Mauna Kea Swim Group Interested swimmers can join a group swim Sundays at 7:30 a.m. at the South end of Mauna Kea Beach. The route it to Hapuna and back. It’s approximately 1-mile each way. Strong swimming skills are necessary. Enjoy the amazing Kohala waters and swim as your comfort level allows. It is also great triathlon training. Swim at your own risk. For questions contact Ed Doherty at eddoherty1@me.com. Go sailing with Kona Sailing Club Kona Sailing Club Juniors and the Big Island Sailing Foundation will be hosting three days of sailing out of Honokohau Harbor March 22-24. New sailors should be 12 years and over, and sailors with previous experience should be over 10 years old. This is an all-day adventure from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pack a lunch, healthy snacks and plenty to drink. Participants must be able to swim and be comfortable on the water and outdoors, and be ready to have fun. All participants should be KSC members. New KSC membership is just $20 the first year and $10 for renewals every year after. Cost for sailing is $75 for the three days. An optional additional day, on Friday, March 25 is being considered at a cost of $20. Sailing will be done on boats between 12 feet and 22 feet long. Instructors are certified by US Sailing. For more info call 325- 5529 or send email to bisf@ earthlink.net. Soccer Camps June 20-24: Kona AYSO 527 will host a four day Challenger Sports soccer camp at Old Airport Field. Ages 3-4 ($85) will go from 9-10 a.m., ages 4-5 ($99) will go from 10:30 a.m.- noon, ages 6-14 ($135) will go from 9 a.m.-noon, and ages 8-14 (180) will go from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration can be done online at www.challengersports.com. For more information contact Dan Jones at 760-945-2109 or email djones@challengersports. com. July 18-22: Kona AYSO will hold a sponsored five day soccer camps with USSF lincensed coaches and PE teaching specialists for kids ages 6-14 at Old Airport Field. The fun filled skill and tacktical developement camp cost $179 for five full days (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) or $125 for five half days (9 a.m.-noon). July 25-29: Kona Next Level Soccer will hold a five day soccer game with a USSF Licensed and Cal South Olympic Development coach for kids ages 14-18 at Old Airport Field. The advanced high school soccer training camp costs $125 for the week and runs from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. July 25-29: Kona AYSO will host a five day soccer camp with USSF youth coaches and Primary Teaching Specialists for kids ages 4-6 at Old Airport Field. The Elite Munchkin Camp will cost $79 for the week and runs from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Old Airport 50-plus basketball league There will be a 50-and-over, half court, basketball league starting on Wednesday, April 6 at Old Airport Park’s Kekuaokalani Gym. Anyone interested in being drafted or entering a team call Chuck Corbe at 327-3287 or email corbe@reahuihou.com. Emily T Gail Show Malik Mariano and Jeff Manzo, of Bike Works Beach & Sport, talk about the success in competitive cycling that Malik, racing for just two years, is experiencing. Malik, a senior at Kealakehe, was introduced to cycling by the Kealakehe Waveriders Tri Club. With sponsorship and mentoring from Bike Works, from the Hawaii Cycling Club, from his family and the community, Malik is now competing at a national level. He talks about what he has learned from more experienced cyclists in the community and his desire to encourage other young athletes who may interested in road racing. He shares his goals for 2016 including his fundraising efforts to participate in the Sea Otter Classic in California and the Junior Nationals in Kentucky at malikmariano.weebly.com Manzo has information on the Lavaman Sunset 5k Walk/ Run on Friday, April 8 at Queens Marketplace. A fundraiser for Path and ALS TDI registration is available at Bikeworks Beach & Sport. The Emily T Gail Show is located at espnhawaii.com under the lineup tab and is also available at iTunes as a free podcast and at facebook.com/emilytgail. For information contact Gail at 896- 6780 or emilytgail@emilys.org. SHORT HOPS that pummeled Kona’s coastline last week still lingered in Kailua Bay and challenged participants to choppy and murky conditions for the ½-mile swim. Weylin Foo, the youngest of four children in the Foo family dynasty of exceptionally fast swimmers, was first to exit Kaiakeakua Beach in the swim division with a speedy time of 13:39. Right on his heels was Tori Oshiro in 13:40, followed by Aiden Ankrum at 13:58. Thirteen-year old Silas Wiley led the men’s overall race and began the 3.9-mile run on Alii Drive ahead of women’s leader, Glee Jewell, and a chase pack of Graca, Adam Ankrum, and Paulo Boza. However, it wasn’t long before Graca took control of the race and kept himself in the lead to claim his first Peaman victory with a time of 41:06. Ankrum held his position in second place at 41:35 and was followed by Brazilian native, Boza, in third at 42:29. “I had a good time because I see there are many families with their kids, old guys, young guys, a lot of good people,” Graca said. “And I liked the course today but it wasn’t very easy because you needed to push hard the whole way. So I think it was actually a pretty tough course.” Graca added that he only recently returned to running after suffering a right leg calf injury a few months ago. To steer himself back into shape, Graca said he challenged himself to ride 100 kilometers (62 miles) on his bike everyday in February - no swimming or running - and lost 15 pounds. “The run was hard for me because I just started my running two weeks ago due my injury,” he said. “So I couldn’t run as fast. But I hope to get back into run shape soon because I will race Lavaman for the first time, then the Century race in April, then IRONMAN Brazil in May.” On the ladies side in the Peaman Biathlon, I was able to catch and pass women’s leader, Jewell, near the 1.5-mile mark on the run to claim the women’s title in 42:31. Jewell followed in second place at 48:58, with Celeste St. Pierre in third at 51:05. Tony Frost and Peter Buehlow claimed the Split Pea relay title in 41:27, with Sarah Weir topping the Run Peas 3.9-mile in 22:38. Kealakehe Waverider triathlete, Josiah Randerson, won the shorter Pea Wee division of 200-yard swim and 1-mile run with a stellar time of 10:12. A distant second was Kris Whiting in 34:04, followed by Pea DeCarli in third at 47:44. Lainey Eckart separated herself from the field in the women’s race for first, winning in a fabulous time of 13:53. Riley Bergin and Alana Mast followed in second and third place with their time of 15:08 and 15:13 respectively. The Pea Wee Split Peas relay title went to Brandon Lacuesta and Sheryl Cobb with their combined time of 31:30, with Logan Eckart topping the 200-yard swim division in 7:04, and Alec Ankrum winning the 1-mile run with his speedy time of 6:05. For Graca, living in Kona is living a triathlete’s dream. “I love swimming in this beautiful ocean and I love riding to Hawi. And my first ride from Kona to Hilo was amazing. I love living in Kona.” Kua Bay Training Time Trial With the Lavaman Waikoloa Olympic Distance Triathlon event just a month away, nearly 30 athletes gathered just south of Waikoloa Beach Drive to test their cycling fitness at Saturday’s Kua Bay Training Time Trial. The event, hosted by the Hawaii Cycling Club, was held on the first half of Lavaman Waikoloa’s 40K bike course – a 12.2-mile quad buster that began at Waikoloa Beach Drive and finished at Veteran’s Cemetary. As is the norm for every time trial format, each rider departed on 30-second intervals to ensure a clean, non-drafting race based solely on one’s own physical strength, mental tenacity, and ability to push through one’s own pain barrier. After all of the pedaling, sweating, and painful quad punishment was done and over with, it was a talented teen cyclist, Malik Mariano, who bested a highly competitive field with an impressive time of 30 minutes flat – averaging a speed of 24.40 miles per hour. Mariano, a 17-year old senior at Kealakehe High School, began cycling only two years ago and quickly progressed into becoming one of the island’s top riders with strong podium finishes at nearly every event. Only three seconds back was Volcano’s Todd Marohnic in 30:03, with David Wild and Adam Ankrum claiming third and fourth with their times of 30:20 and 30:32 respectively. Tawnie McDonald topped the women’s field to claim her second time trial victory of the year with a time of 32:02. While the women’s race for second turned out to be a closer duel between Lori Henbest and Jennifer Ward - both who are registered for the upcoming Olympic Distance event and racing in the same 45-49 age group. In the end, it was Henbest who had the edge with her time of 34:15 to Ward’s 34:36. With numerous swim, bike, and run events taking place over the past few weeks and with many more in the coming months to choose from, one thing is for sure; Kona is indeed every athlete’s Dream Town. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Malik Mariano peddles en route to victory at Saturday's Kua Bay Time Trial in a time of 30:00. HAWAII SPORT EVENTS/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY
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