Fairbairn picks UCLA

Punahou senior Kaimi Fairbairn orally committed to UCLA last week, becoming the first place-kicker from the islands to accept an offer this fall.

Fairbairn has a career long of 55 yards and participated in the elite Chris Sailer kicking camp over the summer, where he was deemed the No. 4 place-kicker in the nation. Another offer came from California, according to Punahou kicking coach Eric Hannum, after UCLA’s move.

Fairbairn made field goals of 60 yards without a tee during a workout at Aloha Stadium, and another of 67 at Vista, Calif.

He’s not the only big leg locally. Kekoa Sasaoka, an eighth-grader at Kahuku Intermediate School, has made a 60-yard field goal (with a tee) during a workout at Aloha Stadium. He is a son of Kahuku kicking coach Ken Sasaoka. See the video on YouTube in KSASAOKA’s channel.

Wildcats to Wazzu

Konawaena basketball standouts Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa are heading to Pullman, Wash. The two have orally committed to play for Washington State, which plays a similar pressing, uptempo style to Konawaena. The seniors will step into a program at WSU that will lose two key guards to graduation.

Rubasch retires

‘Iolani boys cross country coach Jim Rubasch is retiring after 14 seasons.

Rubasch, named the ILH co-coach of the year this season, won three ILH championships and two state titles (2003 and ’05).

During his tenure, the Raiders have produced five ILH individual champions, including Bobby Kessner twice.

‘Iolani senior Troy Esaki won the individual title this year.

Rubasch runs the ‘Iolani Cross Country Invitational meet at Kualoa Ranch every September, hosting dozens of mainland schools, with more than 1,200 runners participating.

Before coaching at ‘Iolani, Rubasch spent four years as head coach at St. Andrew’s Priory.

OC 16 volleyball to start

The fourth annual OC 16 Senior Volleyball Invitational will be played tomorrow and Thursday at McKinley Student Council Gym.

The exhibition doubleheaders begin at 5 p.m. Thursday’s matches will be televised.

The tourney includes seniors from Oahu schools who have been invited by OC 16 to play for North, South, East and West squads.

WEEKLY HONORS

Athlete of the Week

Mason Kualii-Moe
Kahuku football
He made 11 tackles, including five solo, and forced a fumble that he recovered against Farrington

Honor Roll
Football
»Bronson Beatty, Kahuku: two interceptions against Farrington
»Jarome Faamata, Farrington: 10 tackles against Kahuku
»Zachary Hernandez, Punahou: nine tackles, including five solo, and a pass deflection against Kamehameha
»Timothy Kamana, Punahou: five tackles and an interception return for a touchdown vs. Kamehameha
»Kenan Sadanaga, Leilehua: passed for 249 yards and four touchdowns against Campbell
»Johnny Tapusoa, Kahuku: 10 tackles, including five solo, against Farrington
»Aisea Tavae, Farrington: 12 tackles, including two for loss, against Kahuku
»Ryan Tuiasoa, Punahou: 10 tackles, including seven solo, against Kamehameha