New Punahou athletic director Jeaney Garcia's first day on the job came with a hefty announcement: the Buffanblu have retained their position as Sports Illustrated's No. 1-ranked high school program in the country.

Garcia officially joined the Punahou staff yesterday, replacing Tom Holden, who retired last week after 11 years as the Buffanblu AD. Earlier yesterday, http://www.SI.com released its list of Top 10 high school athletic programs with Punahou at the top, followed by Jesuit (Portland, Ore.), Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), The Woodlands (Texas) and Rockhurst (Kansas City, Mo.).

The rest of the Top 10 are Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.), Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Eden Prairie (Minn.) and Union (Tulsa, Okla.).

Punahou won 19 team state championships (out of a possible 32) in the 2008-2009 school year, and finished second in five other state tournaments.

The http://www.SI.com article said to determine its Top 10 list, the magazine "looked for state championships and Division-I scholarship athletes and success on and off the field. Punahou was at the head of the class."

Runner-up Jesuit won seven Oregon state titles.

Punahou also was named No. 1 by SI last year, after winning 16 state championships in 2007-2008.

Garcia takes over a program with about 1,100 athletes participating in 21 different sports at three levels. She previously was athletic director at Brentwood School in Los Angeles.

RASMUSSEN TO LEAD KAISER BASEBALL

Former University of Hawai'i shortstop Mark Rasmussen has been hired as Kaiser's new baseball coach.

Rasmussen was a top assistant and third base coach for Peter Ho, who stepped down as the Cougars' head coach after seven seasons.

"(Rasmussen) is a good fit, he's good with the kids and very loyal to Kaiser," said Cougars athletic director Rodney Iwasaki.

Kaiser has made it to the past four O'ahu Interscholastic Association quarterfinals.