University of Hawaii nose tackle Calen Friel’s past five years are three love stories.
How much does Friel love football? Enough to qualify for a frequent-MRI program.
He missed his senior season at Kailua High because of a torn ACL in his left knee. He redshirted as a UH freshman in 2011 to recover from a torn ACL in his right knee. In the first week of the 2012 training camp, Friel suffered a season-ending fractured fibula.
But he hobbled through intensive physical therapy, and despite a series of "not yet" diagnoses, worked his way into the rotation on the defensive line.
"I love football," Friel said.
Love? What could be a more two-Kleenex-worthy moment than the Empire State Building scene in "Sleepless in Seattle"?
Two years ago, Friel and Kainoa Ocasek were at the roof of the 103-story skyscraper.
"I almost got caught," said Friel, who was carrying an engagement ring. "I didn’t know they had metal detectors. I didn’t know how to hide it. I threw it in my hat. It’s a good thing. She grabbed my hat, and I was like, ‘I got it, I got it.’ "
He proposed, she accepted, and now she’s Kainoa Friel.
RAINBOW WARRIORS VS. UNLV
6 p.m. Saturday at Aloha Stadium |
Their happily-ever-after had a bonus chapter. In September, Kainoa gave birth to the couple’s daughter, Haumea. "She’s a blessing," Friel said.
Friel is scheduled to earn a bachelor’s degree in family resources next month. Although he is eligible to return for another season, Friel has decided to move on to the next phase of his life. He will join 22 other teammates in Saturday’s senior walk.
"I’ll miss football," Friel said, "but I want to take care of my family."
KODY AFUSIA, CENTER
» Career: Started 23 games at guard and then center; trained under Jesse Sapolu
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (criminology)
» Best UH memory: "Picture day two years ago. I’ll leave it at that. And racing mopeds through campus."
TAYLOR GRAHAM, QUARTERBACK
» Career: Ohio State transfer has started four games
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (international business, finance)
» Best UH memory: "Hanging around the team, hanging out with the guys."
RUBEN GUZMAN, PUNTER
» Career: Second-year Rainbow Warrior who averages 40.0 yards per punt
» Graduation: May 16, 2015
» Best UH memory: "When we went to Houston (for the Rice game)."
TYLER HADDEN, KICKER
» Career: Ranks 11th nationally in field goals (17) this season, and fourth on the school list (42)
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (communications, business)
» Best UH memory: "Playing in the (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum."
SCOTT HARDING, PUNTER/PUNT RETURNER/SLOTBACK
» Career: Ray Guy Award finalist leads the nation in punts (73) this season, and is 29th in punt returns (9.6 yards)
» Graduation: Dec. 19, 2015 (business)
» Best UH memory: "(Special teams coordinator Chris Demarest’s) speeches. I’m going to miss that."
JEREMY HIGGINS, QUARTERBACK
» Career: Utah State transfer has played in nine games and served as a student-assistant coach
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (sports psychology)
» Best UH memory: "Going to Washington D.C." (for last year’s game against Navy).
JOEY IOSEFA, RUNNING BACK
» Career: Former linebacker has accounted for 23 TDs (19 rushing, three receiving, one passing)
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (sociology, political science)
» Best UH memory: "There are a lot of memories. When we first got here, everyone thought (Marcus Malepeai and me) were twins. They called him ‘Joey’ and they called me ‘Marcus.’ "
DONNIE KING, SLOTBACK
» Career: Former walk-on averages 12.4 yards per catch
» Graduation: May 16, 2015 (business marketing)
» Best UH memory: "It’s probably my first touchdown against UNLV (last year)."
TEVITA LATAIMUA, LINEBACKER
» Career: 65 tackles in two years, including 4.5 stops for losses
» Graduation: May 16, 2015 (sociology)
» Best UH memory: "Probably pillow fights in (training) camp."
DAVE LEFOTU, OFFENSIVE GUARD
» Career: Pearl City High graduate has started 24 games
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (family resources)
» Best UH memory: "Freshman year."
FRANK LOYD JR., OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
» Career: Has seven starts while playing guard and tackle
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (business management, finance)
» Best UH memory: "(Last week’s) first road win."
DEE MAGGITT, CORNERBACK
» Career: 19 starts, 102 tackles, 18 pass breakups
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (political science)
» Best UH memory: "It was when me, Kody (Afusia), Desmond Dean and Bubba (Poueu-Luna) threw a party my sophomore year in Noelani. It was the biggest party I’ve ever been to. That’s my favorite memory."
MARCUS MALEPEAI, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
» Career: 84 tackles, including 5.5 sacks, while playing every position on the line
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (mechanical engineering)
» Best UH memory: "When Kennedy (Tulimasealii) left the chicken in our bathroom during camp. It scared me, Calen (Friel), Beau (Yap) and Moses (Samia). I thought that was a pretty good prank."
MICHAEL MARTIN, SAFETY
» Career: Former walk-on is a top special-teams player who also plays safety and nickelback
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (sociology)
» Best UH memory: "My first game suiting up."
JORDAN PU‘U-ROBINSON, TIGHT END
» Career: Washington State transfer has played 12 games as a defensive end and tight end
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (communications)
» Best UH memory: "When Kapua Sai did the splits in a team meeting."
MOSES SAMIA, DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
» Career: Versatile lineman has 84 tackles, five breakups, two fumble recoveries and a block
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (sociology)
» Best UH memory: "Hanging with the boys."
SEAN SHIGEMATSU, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
» Career: Kapa‘a High graduate has started 25 games
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (business management)
» Best UH memory: "Pillow fighting (in training camp)."
TAZ STEVENSON, SAFETY
» Career: Mililani High graduate has a team-high 80 tackles in only UH season since transferring from Washington
» Graduation: Pursuing master’s degree in Pacific Island studies
TJ TAIMATUIA, LINEBACKER
» Career: Made 114 tackles, including 14 for losses, in 45 games
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (sociology)
» Best UH memory: "Training table."
NIKO UTI, DEFENSIVE END
» Career: Made his first career sack against San Jose State last week
» Graduation: May 16, 2015 (sociology)
» Best UH memory: "When Calen Friel tripped over the chains last season against Army before he ran off the field."
BEAU YAP
» Career: Co-captain started 33 games, with 29 tackles for losses and 13 sacks
» Graduation: Dec. 20 (sociology)
» Best UH memory: "Playing in the (Los Angeles Memorial) Coliseum."
