Hurricanes’ Standout Reflects As Team Heads Into States
Winona Pauline and her Kapolei softball teammates were on unfamiliar ground last week – in the recovery mode after their 12-game win streak was ended days earlier by Campbell in the OIA Red Conference.
How long had it been since Kapolei had lost a game? You have to go back to March 15, when Aiea scored a 3-1 upset victory.
“It was a relief (to return to practice) for us,” said Pauline, who will attend Eastern Arizona next fall on a softball scholarship. “We came back knowing we’d made a lot of mistakes (against Campbell), and we know if we want to go far, we have to work on our weaknesses. We just have to keep pushing.”
The Hurricanes’ slate is now clean again as they return to action this week at the Division I state softball championships. (Pairings for the tournament, which runs Wednesday to Saturday at UH Rainbow Wahine Stadium, were to be revealed after press time.)
For her part, Pauline is looking for the right finish to what already has been an extraordinary season. She enters the state tournament with a 7-1 record and an ERA of 0.45. Pauline recently took some time away from school and softball to visit with MidWeek‘s West Oahu Islander:
Who’s had the biggest impact on your life? My dad (Raymond) was the one who really pushed me when I was little, and I thought that would help get me to where I wanted to go. We’re an athletic family, and we’re all very supportive of each other. We all push each other.
What is your earliest sports-related memory? I remember my dad and my brother (Wyatt) working on our hitting and pitching until it was late and my mom (Caprice) would call us in for dinner.
What area did you work on most this past off-season? Mostly my pitching and my hitting. I also make sure I take some routine ground balls. Usually, I’m throwing 100 pitches a day (at practice).
Which of your team-
mates would you label Kapolei’s best “practice player” – the girl who always gives 120 percent? The entire team always gives 120 percent. The seniors are always pushing everyone to do their best.
What is your least-favorite household chore? Oh, my goodness. Picking up after my dog. I have a Saint Bernard.
Would your friends say you are the life of the party or the girl who stands by and listens? Hold on … They say I’m the life of the party. I just asked them. I’m definitely not quiet.
go on them at the same time. I’m on them all of the time.
What movie could you watch over and over? A Walk to Remember. It was the first movie I really enjoyed.
What song do you go to your iPod for to get pumped up on game day? It depends on the day, but our entire team likes to listen to Starship. I’m a Nicki Minaj fan. I like her music; I like the beats.
Are you a neat freak or messy? I am definitely not clean. I’m a messy person. I don’t know where everything is.
What is your favorite video game? I have an Xbox 360. I play Call of Duty a lot.
Who would be your choice for a celebrity date on a Saturday night? I wouldn’t date a celebrity.
You are stuck on Kahoolawe with an endless supply of only one food. What would it be? Any Hawaiian food at all.
