As the state's Board of Education meets today to take action on a $46.5 million budget reduction plan for the Department of Education, athletic directors across the state are preparing for meetings next week to discuss how to cope with a proposed $790,000 in budget cuts for the school years 2009-10 and 2010-11.

DOE superintendent Pat Hamamoto announced the cuts last month, and unlike in August — when athletics was spared a $1 million budget cut after last-minute public testimony at a BOE meeting — this time the athletic directors have been told the reductions are inevitable.

"I think it's a done deal," said Lyle Crozier, the Konawaena athletic director who is serving as interim executive director of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation. "We have to start looking at the shortfall and hopefully find ways we can save money."

Crozier said BIIF athletic directors will meet Tuesday to discuss cost-cutting ideas. The total amount proposed for reduction includes $372,212 for transportation, $372,212 for supplies and equipment and $45,576 for one athletic trainer position.

The transportation cuts will especially hit hard in the BIIF, where it can cost $600 just for a round-trip bus ride between Hilo to Kona.

O'ahu Interscholastic Association athletic directors also will have a "round table" meeting Tuesday to brainstorm ideas.

MORE RUSHING YARDS FOR WAIPAHU'S MATAUTIA

Waipahu running back Troy Matautia's season rushing statistics published last week and yesterday did not reflect his 123 yards on 23 carries against Mililani on Sept. 6.

Individual stats from that game were not reported by Mililani, the home team. But Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio has confirmed Matautia's totals from that game.

Matautia, the state's leading rusher, now has 967 yards on 166 carries (5.8 ypc).

OIA DIVISIONAL MEETS SET FOR SATURDAY

The OIA will hold its divisional cross country championships on Saturday. The East championships will be held at Kailua and the West championships at Waialua. JV races start at 9 a.m., with varsity races to follow.

Roosevelt (girls) and Castle (boys) won last year's East races while Leilehua swept last year's boys and girls West titles.

Punahou will host its Punahou Invitational, now in its 52nd year, Saturday morning at its campus.

TOP HAWAI'I PLAYERS OFF TO SOFTBALL SHOWCASE

Hawaii Gold, a softball team made up of local high school players, will play in the Surf Tourney October Showcase from Oct. 17 to 19 in Huntington Beach, Calif. The team is coached by St. Francis' Mark Glushenko and assisted by Joe Berinobis, Dean Sueda and Kaleo Eldredge.

More than 100 teams will participate in the tournament, which attracts college coaches. Hawaii Gold has been practicing for the past two months. Players are: Shauna Ah Yen of Baldwin; Keala Bertulfo, Chelsea Kaluhiokalani, Ululani Reyes, Kayla Sakamoto, Brianna Tovio-Asato of St. Francis; Kishti Kamaka, Kristi Oshiro, Courtney Senas of Mililani; Jamie Millwood of Kamehameha; Gerika Pantohan of Campbell; Shay Shibata, Ariel Silva of Maryknoll; Chante Tesoro of Pac-Five/Hawai'i Baptist.