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If you live and die for University of Hawaii sports like I do then you'll understand why today has that magical feeling of excitement, just like Christmas morning. Yes, this is a big day for Rainbow sports fans all over the state as the Bows play the Xavier Musketeers in the first round of the NCAA National Basketball Championships.

It has been a great season for the Bows who enter the Big Dance with a 27-5 record and enough huge game victories to fill an entire column. As a U.H, fan I've gone through many highs and lows over the decades and always cheer for our home team, no matter what.

This year's amazing group of players have definitely made it easy to cheer as they've stepped up their game whenever they had to. Special teams like this don't happen every year. Their confidence reminds me a lot of the seasons when the U.H. mens volleyball team dominated with Yuval Katz, Sivan Leoni and a cast of characters that will always bring back fond memories.

While I'll be cheering for a Bow victory today I'll also be grateful for a tremendous season of memories. Thanks for the early Christmas present. Let's Go Bows!

While the college basketball season is wrapping up with March Madness, this year's Ironman season just got started with Ironman New Zealand. The full Ironman distance event (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run) took place at Lake Taupo on New Zealand's North Island.

Just like most official Ironman events, the New Zealand race attracted a strong field of pros and age groupers who were shooting for one of the much coveted spots on the starting line of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship to be held here in Kona on October 19th. Both the mens and womens pro battles turned out to be close as they battled not only the distance but some grueling cold and rainy conditions.

Last year's Hawaii Ironman runner up Cameron Brown of New Zealand overcame the tough field and conditions to take the victory in 8:32:54. Brown used a steady swim and bike to stay in contention throughout the day then blistered the run in 2:50 for his come-from-behind win. Sweden's Jonas Colting took second at 8:36:15. Garrett MacFadyen of Australia rounded out a strong top three with his time of 8:40:52.

The women of New Zealand swept the top three spots with Karyn Ballance in first at 9:27:33. Former Keauhou-Kona Triathlon champion and 11th place 2001 Ironman Hawaii finisher Joanna Lawn followed in second at 9:31:08. Lynley Allison wrapped up the group with a time of 9:34:46.

Our state of Hawaii athletes turned in some strong performances with Joe Zwack of Oahu leading the way in 9:47. His strong race earned him third in the 40-44 age group. Monique Jutila of Maui topped our wahine with a third place finish in the 35-39 age group and a time of 11:07. Joining Zwack and Jutila on the awards stand was Ironman veteran Cindy Giorgis of Oahu. Giorgis took second for the ladies 50-54 and clocked in at 12:35.

Our top Big Island athlete was Gerry Murphy of Kailua-Kona who clocked an amazing time of 10:50:40. Darren Broome and Tim Cotter were next with times of 11:38:10 and 11:38:41, respectively. Jason Nixon completed a strong showing by our Big Island men with his time of 12:16:34. On the ladies side, Lisa Nelson led the way with a time of 12:46.
Congrats to all of our finishers, you are truly made of Iron.

The roads and oceans of Kona were quiet last weekend but just one week earlier a couple of our amazing island athletes were amongst the best at the 25th Annual Straub-Kapiolani Women's 6.2 Mile Run. As usual, the race attracted a huge field of over 1,400 entries.

The race for first was expected to be a duel between University of Hawaii's Cheryl Smith and Nina Christensen of Hawaii Pacific University. Unfortunately Christensen was injured during her victorious run at the Great Aloha Run two weeks earlier. Even without Christensen on hand the battle up front was exciting with Smith, Lisa Bloome, Alethe West and former H.P.A. and Ka'u High School stand out Casey McGuire-Turcotte forming the front pack.

At the one mile point Smith and Bloome had a slight lead as they blazed by in 5:56. Smith and Bloome continued to match strides as they hit the two mile mark in 11:36 but just about 1/4 mile later Smith began to pull away. Smith reached the half way turn in 18:02 with a solid lead of about 100 yards.

Smith's return trip to Kapiolani Park remained strong as she defended her title and clocked in at 35:48. Bloome hung tough for second at 36:40. Smith's U.H. teammate West took third at 37:24. The Big island's McGuire-Turcotte who also runs at U.H., was next taking an impressive fourth place at 38:43. Oahu triathlete Susan Burr closed out the elite five with her time of 39:50.

Less than astride behind Burr was our next Big Island wahine Angie Miyashiro of Hilo at 39:51. Her sixth overall finish easily gave her the 45-49 age group victory and earned recognition as one of the outstanding age groupers of the day.

This weekend it's back to a full schedule of events throughout the state with our home town highlight being the annual Lanihau Center Leprechaun Run. The Runnin'of the Green will get going at 7:30 on Sunday morning with the Leapin'Leprechaun One Miler, followed by the 3.1 and 6.2 mile events. The best dressed Leprechaun will win a Lanihau gift certificate so don't forget to put on your best green attire. Call 325-0287 for details. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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