Pasion wins at boxing championships

Haley Pasion of Waipahu won the bantamweight title at Saturday’s USA National Boxing Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The 15-year-old defeated Amanda Pavone of Massachusetts in a tiebreaker, with the victory scored 87-86. Pasion, who fights out of Kawano Boxing Club, will take a No. 1 ranking at 119 pounds into the U.S. Olympic Team Trials early next year.

Hawaii’s Lisa Ha, who won a bronze at 106 pounds Friday, will be ranked No. 3 in her weight class, while Boston Salmon and Kalai McShane both will have top-eight national rankings.

Kaimana Awards honors students

Miracle Helekahi of Hana High, Kamehameha Schools’ Kyle Nakatsuka and Zachary Pezzillo from Seabury Hall were the "distinguished scholarship recipients" at Saturday’s HMSA Kaimana Awards and Scholarship Program banquet at the Hawaii Prince Hotel.

The three each received $3,000 and were among the 22 student-athletes to earn scholarships that recognized athletics, academics, sportsmanship and community service. Helekahi competed in basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball for the Dragons; Nakatsuka competed in cross country, swimming, track and field and water polo for the Warriors; and Pezzillo paddled for the Spartans.

In addition, 30 high schools were recognized for achieving the highest program scores in their respective leagues with the top 10 each receiving $1,500. The top scorers were: Hilo (BIIF Division I), Hualalai Academy (BIIF D-II), Kamehameha-Maui (MIL D-I), Seabury Hall (MIL D-II), Island School (KIF), Mililani (OIA Red), Anuenue (OIA Blue), Kalani (OIA White), Maryknoll (ILH D-I) and Hawaii Baptist (ILH D-II).

Takahara-Dias, McNamara to speak

Hawaii women’s basketball coach Dana Takahara-Dias and John McNamara, UH’s associate athletic director for external affairs, are the featured speakers at Monday’s Honolulu Quarterback Club meeting at Maple Garden restaurant.

Takahara-Dias will recap last season and discuss her incoming recruits. McNamara will focus on the new TV contract with OC 16 and promotions for the upcoming football season.

Lunch is at 11:30 a.m., followed by the noon program. The cost is $15.

Volleyball teams medal at open

Men’s teams from Hawaii won two golds, a silver and a bronze at the USA Volleyball Open Championships earlier this month in Dallas.

Libero Alika DeRego helped Creole to the gold in the men’s open division, earning all-tournament honors. Team Hustle and Flow won the men’s AA division with Taylor Crabb and Brahma Furtado named all-tournament.

All-tournament selections Brennan Wong, Anthony Robinson and Hoku Harvest led Molten Hawaii to silver in the B division. Kalei Chun Dela Cruz was named all-tournament from Cudags, which finished third in men’s A.