2B SPORTS FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016 | WEST HAWAII TODAY BIIF: Changes to batting stance giving Degrate more power CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B to left and Leleiwi followed with a triple to center. Vohn Yamaguchi singled to left and the Wildcats now led 7-1. After hitting the ball to the bottom of the left field fence in his previous at-bat. Kealakehe’s Markus Degrate led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run that traveled nearly the same line. The hit was Degrate’s third of the game. He scored the first two Waverider runs. “We are making some adjustments with Markus by having him stand a little more upright and adding some some more power,” said Kealakehe coach Josh Hansen. “He had some really good swings on the ball. He has college type talent.” Kealakehe was not done scoring in the inning. Hunter Cuaresma singled to left and with two outs, Kalua’u reached on a throwing error by Canda at third base, putting runners on the corner. Kalua’u was caught off the first base bag by Alani, but Cuaresma broke from third and beat the tag by Yamaguchi at the plate. The next batter grounded out to the pitcher to end the inning. Konawaena led 7-3. The Wildcats threatened but did not score in the top of the seventh. Ayers took the mound for Konawaena in the bottom of the inning. He forced the first batter to ground out to second and struck the second batter out. The third batter grounded out to third to end the ballgame. Canda led the Wildcats offense, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. “I am very happy with him and how the other freshmen played,” Tabieros said. “It is good to see the younger players stepping up and hitting the ball hard.” Alani picked up the win. He allowed three runs, two earned, in six innings, striking out five and walking none. Estrella picked up the loss. he allowed seven earned off eight hits, in five innings. He struck out three and walked three. HAILI: Piopio finally shook free for a two-set victory in girls 18 final RANI: The Wedeman(n) brothers have been on a great ride and there’s no stopping them garnered much respect and admiration by the community. As busy as they are, Bob and Joe took some time to discuss their thoughts on some challenges and rewards that come with the events, their devotion to the community and each other, and a fun story that goes with their last names. Q: What would you say are the most challenging aspects to putting on an event as large as the Hilo Marathon or as complex as the Hilo Triathlon? Bob: The biggest challenge is to get all 450 volunteers together and on the same page. We have the best volunteers, but it is a challenge. I love them all like family. Joe: For me personally, all of the unpaid help are the most challenging parts of being a race director. Don’t get me wrong, the volunteers are what make these events successful, but unfortunately, life’s little problems come up and pull them in many different directions, which mean unexpected cancellations and/or last minute changes and “no shows.” It’s the last minute changes that make me scramble to get things done. Without those changes, everything would run much smoother. This year, Mother Nature brought 10-foot surf into Hilo Bayfront, which brought huge rocks and surf onto Bayfront Highway. State roads closed Bayfront highway Friday night and couldn’t guarantee whether it would be safe for the runners Sunday morning. This was an easy decision for me. Close off that part of the course, redirect runners around the disaster, apologize to and inform the runners at the marathon start, and redirect the volunteers. The most difficult part was “change” for the volunteers. I ended up physically running out ten minutes before the race start, just ahead of the runners, to be “that guy” directing them through the detour. Q: What is most rewarding? Bob: The most rewarding is seeing all the runners trying to do their best and doing it. That doesn’t mean you break the world record, it means they did their best. I have a friend who was sick Sunday morning. She didn’t call in sick. She showed up to run the marathon and could only go until mile 16. That’s 16 miles of running and walking. She had to quit because she couldn’t go any further. That’s three miles more than a half marathon. She was so upset that she put on her shirt that said “NONFINISHER”. To me she was the best runner there because of her effort and I told her so. The effort put in is what makes me happy. It doesn’t matter if you are 5 years old — this year’s youngest — or our oldest who was 91. They all did their best and should be proud of it. Joe: Usually, the compliments and thank yous from the finishers, especially the first time marathon/ triathlon finishers. It makes you feel as though you have put on an event that personally changed an individual’s life. Knowing that without that event, that first timer may not have made those goals at that time in their life, and then may have never finished that chapter as many finishers only do one marathon or triathlon in their life. Q: When one is race director, the other is just as involved. Describe this devotion to helping one another at community events? Bob: Working with my little brother Joe, he is a hero to me. He is a fireman, good husband, a marathon finisher, a triathlon finisher, an IRONMAN, and just for fun rides around the island on a bike — not a motorbike, a pedal bike in 11 and a half hours. He is my brother, my best friend, and sometimes he thinks he’s my dad. That’s ok because when he was very little he even called me dad. Joe: When I was about 5 years old, Bob (18) took me for a ride on a go-kart that he had built. Being a very sickly child and spending most of my early life in the hospital and doctor’s office, it was the most exciting thing in my life that I had participated in. By the time I was 13, Bob started well on its way to making itself a Haili mainstay, too. There were a few tense moments late in the second set for coach Yolanda Kuahuia, but the 10-and-under team from Milolii-Ka’u pulled through Wednesday at Hilo Civic to sweep Panaewa, adding to the 8-under title it won last year. “It’s nice to come here and win,” Kuahuia said. “That’s what we practice for every year.” “They practice. A lot of practice. I work them hard.” The club is in its second year competing in Haili’s junior championships. Milolii-Ka’u’s 8-under team lost in the final against Keaukaha on Wednesday and it also competed in girls 12. Milolii Volleyball Club was short on numbers, so it turned to its closest neighbors, to the east, for more players. “We always played with Ka’u when I was growing up,” Kuahuia said. It’s convenient since Milolii only has a cement court. “When it comes to indoor courts, Naalehu was closest,” Kuahuia said. “They entered our tournament year,” Pilipaa coach Chris Leonard said, “and they are getting a lot kids to play, which is great to see. It’s really what we need, more kids coming out.” Late in the 8-under final, Milolii-Ka’u lost a key point when one its youngsters forgot to pay attention, letting a serve drop in. Kuahuia worked hard to make sure there wasn’t repeat in the 10-under final. “No matter what you tell them, they still have to work it out for themselves,” she said. “We’re trying to get them all to play. All of them. I taking me to the go-kart races on the mainland. We raced for 14 more years before I gave it up and moved to Hawaii. In the beginning of our racing years, we both raced. After a few earlier in the years, Bob felt that I would have a better chance at winning more if only I raced, and he “wrenched.” So, he gave up driving for me, so I could do better. I ended up with three season championships, four track records, and over 100 trophies (most first place). Bob taught me everything I know about building engines, wrenching, strategies for driving, and more importantly, racing! We were the “Weedie Deedie Racing Team.” Years later, I introduced Wayne to Bob when he moved here. Wayne Joseph instantly took a liking to Bob and they became friends. Shortly after that, Wayne became sick and Bob offered to help Wayne with some marathon paperwork. Bob visited Wayne weekly up until his passing in January 2013. Wayne had asked both of us to help continue the Hilo Marathon in case he couldn’t. Because I was already a board member with BIIMA and the finish line director for the prior five years, I directed the 2013 marathon and Bob shadowed me. Following that marathon, the board elected me as president, and Bob as race director for the year 2014. Since then, we have held those positions and continue to support each other in everything we can — two heads are better than one. Q: People say 2014 was the worst year (weather wise) for the Hilo Marathon and Hilo Triathlon. Do you agree? What would be a memorable moment from that year? Bob: The worst for me was two years ago, but that’s not the worst. The worst was maybe 10 years ago. The rain was so strong out on the scenic route that the runners had to run through six inches of water on some roads and bridges. Joe: Besides every single runner asking us if the race was still on, the most successfully did except for one.” The last match of the day, played in front of a large and boisterous crowd, featured a backand forth second set in the girls 18 final between Piopio and Haili Jrs, which was trying to tie the match. Piopio finally shook free for a two-set victory, and the club also beat Keaukaha for the girls 14 title. The Cuzins claimed girls 12. Leonard guided two Pilipaa teams to victory (14s and 18s) last season. While the bulk of the players that made up the 18s graduated and went on to play in college, many of his 14s returned this season and won the 16s title, coming back to beat Hi Intensity in three sets. Pilipaa had two teams in the division, finishing first and third. “They are real young, but they do a lot of things really well,” Leonard said. “We struggle with consistency, but the goal was to play a cleaner match, less errors. They did a nice job. Let the first set slip away, but they came roaring back.” memorable part was being all dressed up from the Carbo Dinner the night before and having to go to the start line in hurricane conditions and fight the losing battle of trying to hold down the canopies from blowing away. We eventually gave up the fight, lost all the canopies, and got to bed after 1 a.m., only to get up at 3 a.m. to start the day. Q: What do you want participants to take away from your events? Bob: It’s the people. Most of the runners are great people yet most of all, they are my friends. I have benefited from them. They welcome me with open arms from the very beginning. I feel very lucky to know them all. Joe: The Aloha from the volunteers and the natural beauty of the East side of the Big Island. Q: And lastly, why the two different spellings of your last name, Wedeman and Wedemann? Bob: First, my way is the right way — I’m older so I’ve had it longer. It always makes me smile. I’ll let Joe tell you the story. Joe: When I was about 15, I learned that the immigration office shortened my grandpa’s name by dropping the other “n” back in 1920. So I changed my name to honor him. Bob still disagrees that the (immigration office) still spelled it wrong saying that there is also an “i” in the name (Wiedemann) like the famous beer. Together, the Wedeman(n) brothers have been on a great ride and there’s no stopping them. Their energetic spirit, passion for the sport, and commitment to continue offering the Big Island community first-class events will be here for many more years to come. In honor of their mother, Emily Wedeman, who passed away from lung cancer, the Big Island Road Runners Club will host the Emily Wedeman 5 Mile Run at Coconut Island on Friday at 5 p.m.. All proceeds and donations will benefit the American Cancer Society. For more information contact bigislandroadrunners@gmail.com. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Junior finals Coed 8-under: Keaukaha Cuzins def. Milolii-Ka’u Coed 10-under: Milolii-Ka’u def. Panaewa Boys 12: Nawahi Wiwoole def. Keaukaha Cuzins Girls 12: Keaukaha Cuzins def. Piopio Bears Boys 14: Pure Energy def. Pilipaa Girls 14: Piopio Bears def. Keaukaha Cuzins Girls 16: Pilipaa def. Hi Intensity Girls 18: Piopio Bears def. Haili Jrs NCAA: Oregon takes out defending national champion Duke CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Saturday against Oregon. “That’s even better,” Hield said. “I’m able to have fun around there and watch my teammates make shots and make plays.” Hield had scored 27 and 36 points in the Sooners’ first- and second-round victories. “We shared the ball really well,” he said. “I’m real proud of the guys for stepping up and making shots. We were just taking advantage of opportunities. We tried to driveand kick and when they doubled somebody I tried to make the right pass.” Oklahoma lost to North Carolina in the South Regional final in 2009. Oklahoma is trying to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2002, when it lost to Indiana in the national semifinals. Tyler Davis scored 17 for A&M (28-9), which reached the Sweet 16 with a thrilling double-overtime victory against Northern Iowa after rallying from 12 points down in the final 44 seconds of regulation. KANSAS 79, MARYLAND 63 LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Perry Ellis scored 27 points to match a season high, Wayne Selden Jr. added 19 and top-seeded Kansas topped No. 5 Maryland for a NCAA Tournament South Region semifinal victory Thursday night. The win put the Jayhawks back into the Elite 8 for the first time since 2012. It took time for the Jayhawks (33-4) to get going, but once they finally seized the lead late in the first half everything else fell into place for their 17th straight victory. They emerged from the break to make their first six shots and steadily take control behind senior forward Ellis, who made 10 of 17 from the field. VILLANOVA 92, MIAMI 69 LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ryan Arcidiacono and Kris Jenkins each scored 21 points, and No. 2 seed Villanova never trailed in routing third-seeded Miami Thursday night in the South Region semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats (32-5) are back in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2009, when they reached the Final Four. It’s their third trip to the regional final with coach Jay Wright. They turned in quite the offensive performance with former coach Rollie Massimino, who led Villanova to the 1985 national championship, sitting nearby. Villanova will play top-seeded Kansas on Saturday in the regional final. OREGON 82, DUKE 68 ANAHEIM, Calif. — Dillon Brooks scored 19 points and Oregon advanced to the brink of its first Final Four in 77 years with an 82-68 victory over defending national champion Duke on Thursday night in the West Region semifinal of the NCAA Tournament. Elgin Cook had 16 points and nine rebounds for the top-seeded Ducks (31-6), who will meet Oklahoma on Saturday. The second-seeded Sooners routed Texas A&M 77-63. After a season-long rise in the Pacific Northwest, the Pac-12 champion Ducks emphatically arrived on the national stage with a strong second-half rally to beat the mighty Blue Devils (25-11) for the first time in school history. Freshman Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, but Duke fell short of its third Elite Eight trip in five years. The Blue Devils lost five of their final 10 games. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Konawaena's Kolu Alani delives a pitch to the plate in the first inning against Kealakehe. RICK WINTERS/WEST HAWAII TODAY
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