When multi-skilled Scott Harding completed his University of Hawaii football career last semester, he left a void at three positions.
One of those spots was filled on Sunday when Punahou School punter Alexander Trifonovitch accepted an offer from the Rainbow Warriors.
"It feels pretty good," Trifonovitch said. "I’ve been waiting to commit there for a while. Now, I finally got the chance."
Trifonovitch was named to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s 2014 All-State second team.
In the state semifinals and final, he averaged 46.4 yards per punt. He had two 50-yard punts, including a rugby-styled boot off a rollout. Harding was noted for his rugby-style techniques.
"He’s a great kid, a great athlete and he has a good family," said Eric Hannum, a former UH punter/kicker who coaches those positions at Punahou.
Trifonovitch’s father is David Trifonovitch, Punahou’s head coach for boys soccer; his mother is Kelli Abe Trifonovitch, a director of communications at UH and a former television reporter.
"He has a good work ethic, and he continues to try to get better," Hannum said. "He’s a great fit at UH. UH is lucky to get him."
Trifonovitch has regularly attended noted coach Chris Sailer’s camps for kickers and punters. Sailer’s camps usually draw about 700 athletes.
Last summer, Trifonovitch was invited to participate in Sailer’s Elite-12 camp.
Two weeks ago, Sailer named Trifonovitch to the All-America first team as a punter.
"It’s fun competing against all the top guys in the nation," Trifonovitch said.
Trifonovitch, who is 6 feet 1 and 180 pounds, said he has received tutoring from UCLA kicker and Punahou graduate Kaimi Fairbairn, as well as former Warriors kicker Tyler Hadden.
"He will have an outstanding career," Hadden tweeted.
Trifonovitch turned down an offer to attend Army.
