Punahou's Cote to swim for Pepperdine
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
The early signing period for high school seniors to submit National Letters of Intent ended yesterday, and several other Hawai'i athletes put their college scholarship agreements in writing.
Punahou swimmer Rachel Cote accepted a full scholarship offer from Pepperdine. She is the reigning individual state champion in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly and was a member of the Buffanblu's state meet record-breaking 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay teams.
Cote's teammate, Michelle Yoshida, signed a letter of intent with Fairfield. Yoshida is the reigning state champ in the 50 freestyle and also was a member of Punahou's two record-breaking relay teams.
Fairfield also added to its Hawai'i connection in women's volleyball, signing Sacred Hearts outside hitter Haili Pokipala. The Stags have four players from Hawai'i on their current roster: seniors Jasmine Pa'akula, Lindsey Lee and Ashley Hanohano (all from St. Joseph) and junior Brandi Higa (Hawai'i Baptist).
Meanwhile, Western Oregon's softball program added to its Hawai'i connection by signing St. Francis catcher Ashley Smith. She will join former Troubadours teammates Sashi Koki and Jandee Taira and Mililani graduate Tierra Cuba on the Western Oregon roster.
OIA SOCCER SEASON KICKS OFF TOMORROW
The O'ahu Interscholastic Association starts its soccer regular season tomorrow with boys and girls games.
In key early showdowns, Pearl City visits fellow traditional Western Division power Mililani, with the girls game kicking off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the boys game at 7:15.
Another OIA West doubleheader features 'Aiea at Leilehua (same game times).
The OIA East begins play Saturday with an early showdown featuring Castle at Moanalua; the girls game is set for 2 p.m., followed by the boys game at 4.
The Interscholastic League of Honolulu begins its girls season on Nov. 30 and the boys season on Dec. 4.
CRUSADERS RANKED NO. 6 IN USA TODAY WEST LIST
Saint Louis' football team is ranked No. 6 in the West Region by USA Today, according to the Super 25 Index released this week.
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) is ranked No. 1 in the West.
Read Wes Nakama's blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.
