Growing up on Maui, Danielle Travis wasn’t into team sports. She played some tennis and did gymnastics, but her real love was horses, where she competed in dressage and other equestrian events.

At age 16, Travis found polo.

Earlier this month, polo found her in a big way.

The 23-year-old from Wailea was among the 12 players — and one of just two women — named to Team USPA by the U.S. Polo Association. Travis currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas, and is preparing for intense training and competition later this year in Florida.

"It’s another step for me, to get myself out there in the polo community," said Travis, who graduated in December from TCU with a degree in communication studies. "People know me as a spectator (at polo matches) but not as a polo player.

"It’s all about getting the opportunities, getting more well-known."

The Seabury Hall graduate said she first got on a horse at age 2 and began riding lessons at 7. She "randomly" went to a polo practice and found her calling.

"It was amazing," she said. "It was the team sport I was looking for. I love the action and I love horses."

Travis attended Santa Barbara (Calif.) City College, where she played polo for three years, winning the USPA Intercollegiate Western Regional Championship in 2008. She competed for TCU and most recently won MVP honors at the Magruder Women’s Cup and USPA Wahine Challenge.

"Danielle was one of only two women selected for the Team USPA program," Kris Bowman, Team USPA program director, said. "Men dominate in this sport and we have no doubt that Danielle will give them a run for their money.

"She has competed all across the U.S., as well as earned intercollegiate recognition at TCU. We feel that this diversity gives her an edge over other competitors."

Travis applied for the national team last year but wasn’t selected. This year was her last chance; the cutoff age is 23.

She said she was much more organized this time around when applying, making sure she had the necessary videos and updated resume.

Now "it’s going to be all polo, all the time," she said. "Besides the training and playing, we have to become certified umpires to get us more educated about the sport. We’ll be doing some traveling this summer as well."

And the bonus? Free stabling for Boomtown, her 6-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse, while they both learn more.

"It’s not a cheap sport," Travis said. "Free stabling is a huge plus. That and getting a lot of polo opportunities."

Everyday athlete: Chris Gardner, 53

» Race organizer
» Ultimate workout
» Done in stages: OC-1 or stand-up paddle from Turtle Bay to Sunset Beach; run to Ke Iki rocks; swim from Sharks Cove to Waimea Bay; swim/run to Haleiwa; bike to Kaena Point.

Create it and they will come. Only Chris Gardner didn’t realize just how many would come when he first organized the North Shore Triathlon.

"We’ve gone from 150 basically signing up on the beach to 800," said Gardner, who has partnered with Chris Moore for events. "I was frustrated because we had no triathlon on the North Shore. Now we have the triathlon, the North Shore Swim Series, the Stand-Up Paddle Challenge and we’re looking at a 10K swim. I’m amazed how it’s grown out here."

Gardner has lived on the North Shore for some 40 years, beginning when his family moved from Florida after he won the boys state surfing championship.

"My dad asked me where would be a good spot to be a surfer since he was retiring (as a pilot for Pan American)," Gardner said. "Told him Hawaii and the next day the move began."

He was always a water baby. Gardner learned to swim at age 2 at the International Swimming Hall of Fame pool in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

That he ended up in Hawaii also seemed natural. The Leilehua High graduate feels he can trace his swimming lineage back to Duke Kahanamoku.

His father, who swam for Michigan State, and Johnny Weissmuller were friends, and "Uncle Tarzan" spent many a Sunday with the Gardners. Weissmuller broke Kahanamoku’s world record in the 100 meters and "I’ve always felt I had that lineage with my swimming."

REC CENTER

Tennis qualifier coming in June

U.S. Open National Playoffs return to Hawaii this year, with the sectional qualifier scheduled June 4-6 at Diamond Head Tennis Center. Entries close May 25.

The local qualifier is open to all players 14 and older. Men’s and women’s singles winners here advance to the U.S. Open National Playoffs, with that winner getting a wild card into the U.S. Open Qualifying Tournament, the week before the Open.

Mixed doubles has been added this year, with the national winner getting a wild card into the main draw.

Hawaii is the site of one of 16 sectional qualifiers. National Playoffs this year will be held in conjunction with the New Haven Open at Yale, Aug. 18-21.

Registration opens March 15 at usta.com/tennislink. Entry fee is $125 for singles and $150 for each mixed doubles team ($75 per player). All competitors must have USTA membership valid through Aug. 29.

Last year, 859 men and 373 women competed in the playoffs, including Olympic skier Bode Miller and former major league baseball player Todd Walker.

Run, walk or bike for epilepsy

The Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii is sponsoring 5K and 10K runs, a 1-mile walk and bike rides of 35K, 75K and 100K Sunday to benefit its educational and informational services.

The entry fee is $35 per event, which is part of the national Sharon’s Ride, Run and Walk. Sign-ups and packet pick-up are available until 6:45 a.m. at Kapiolani Community College. The races begin at 7 a.m.

Applications are available online at hawaiiepilepsy.com. Packet pick-up and registration is also available tomorrow at Running Room, 819 Kapahulu Ave. from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For information, call 528-3058.

Roller derby in Hawaii Kai

The Pacific Roller Derby All-Stars host the Sin City Rollergirls from Las Vegas tomorrow at the Kamiloiki Community Park in Hawaii Kai beginning at 4 p.m.

The bout will determine the first season rankings in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Last March, PRD defeated Sin City in the Wild West Showdown in Tucson.

The event is free. Fans are encouraged to bring beach chairs.

On the net: www.pacificrollerderby.com.