Fun on the court

Writer: Keo Akina
Photographer: Ethan Hubbard

The start of intramural sports has provided Leeward students with a healthy way to stay in shape, compete in high-level competitive sports, and a way to meet new and interesting students.
Some of the sports offered last fall were volleyball, basketball, flag football, and indoor soccer. Leeward students formed their own teams to compete in volleyball on campus and in the latter sports in the intramural league held at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Leeward teams not only challenged UH students, but students from other community colleges like Honolulu and Kapiolani.

“Having the opportunity to participate in flag football was a valuable learning experience because we had the opportunity to work as a team,” said Kendrick Simmons, captain of the LeeWarriors. Both of Leeward’s flag football teams advanced to the playoffs. “We realized whether its flag football or professional football, it takes hard work and determination to succeed. This is a valuable program and I hope that everyone takes full advantage of this great opportunity.”
 

There is the option to play men’s, women’s or coed for all sports. Spring sports to be held at Leeward will be tennis (singles and doubles) and volleyball. Sports to be held at Manoa are coed basketball, soccer and softball. All games at Manoa are in the evenings and Leeward’s Student Life office pays for each team’s entry fee.

Leeward teams have been a force to reckon with. The Black Flag team entered the flag football playoffs undefeated. The basketball team made it to the championship game of its division but came up just short of the title, losing 41-37 to a tough team from Manoa. 
“As a team we faced many challenges through different opponents,” said team captain Karlo Rarogol. “We achieved and fell short of what we wanted to accomplish but gained the motivation and strength through team mates, either by motivation of words or peoples actions. We could not have had a better basketball season.”

The Lyons team of Potoi Falaniko, Leotina Ises, Baby Faalogo and Adam Wertin won the championship for intramural volleyball on campus.
“The sports program allows me to have lots of exercise during the week, making new friends, and having fun at the same time,” Robert Gumapac, who played for LeeWarriors. “It’s also a good learning experience to learn new things or teaching people new things, but just having a good time is what counts. You just have one life, so make the best of it.”  

Spring sports information at www.leeward.hawaii.edu/studentlife or by contacting leeintramurals [at] gmail [dot] com.

Photo caption—Robert Gumapac sets the ball during an intramural match while Mohammed Abrahim and Louis Otineru watches at Klum Gym.