Rush 99 Team Has High Hopes For Regional Competition
Members of the Rush 99 boys soccer team are looking at this week’s US Youth Far West Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M., as a chance to finish some business.
As HYSA’s three-time defending state champion, the team is making its third straight appearance at the event. Last year’s record was 0-3, but there’s hope for a better fate this time.
Forward Daniel Woo, who plays for Pearl City during the high school season, is among the team’s offensive leaders. He and his teammates, who are competing in the 15-and-under division this week, thrive in playing the role of the underdog since they face teams from more heavily populated states at national tourneys.
“Since we’re from Hawaii, the other teams think we live in grass huts or something,” said Woo, who lives in Waipahu. “We like to prove them wrong and show that we have some skills here.”
Rush 99 was to play three games in the preliminary round of the Far West Regional, beginning Monday against the Blackhawks 99 of Scottsdale, Ariz. A game with LaRoca of Utah was to follow Tuesday, with another against HeatFC99 of Nevada Wednesday. Should Rush 99 advance, it will play in a quarterfinal game Friday. The semifinals and finals are set for Saturday and Sunday.
Winners of the under-15 Far West Regional advance to the national championships, which will take place July 22-27 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.
In addition to Pearl City’s Woo, Rush 99 also features other standouts from West
Oahu, including Noah Alejado (Makakilo), Dylan Cabalang (Makakilo), Keenan Soares (Ewa Beach), Chay Mattos (Ewa Beach), Garrison Lee (Aiea), Luke Wyman (Pearl City) and Kawika Zarko (Kapolei).
The team also will compete in the Surf Cup National Tournament in San Diego next month.
OIA Reveals Girls Water Polo All-Star Teams
Kapolei placed Brooke Bosque and Tiala Wendt on the OIA’s girls water polo All-Stars First Team, making it the second year in a row for Wendt, who earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a junior goalkeeper in 2013. This past spring, Wendt was among the leaders of a Hurricane team that went 13-5 overall. Kapolei finished third at the OIA post-season and later advanced to the quarterfinals of the state championships. The OIA’s All-Star selections are made in a vote of league coaches at season’s end.
Leilani Herrera earned Honorable Mention from Kapolei.
Pearl City’s Kylie Hong and Taylor Ganeko made the Second Team, while Karlee Kawasaki and Chiemi Trias earned Honorable Mention. The Chargers finished 6-7 this season.
Receiving Honorable Mention from Campbell were Jasmine Charlton and Sydney Thompson.
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