Donation saves Hawaii-Hilo cross country

A $25,000 donation is helping keep the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s women cross-country team running.

The University of Hawaii Foundation said in a news release Monday the donation from Carole Kai Charities has helped reinstate the women’s team.

The Vulcan women are to compete in five races during the fall season.

The cross-country and cheerleading programs were to be suspended for two years because of budget cuts.

Carole Kai Charities organizes the annual Kaiser Permanente Great Aloha Run.

UH Hilo Director of Athletics Dexter Irvin says he credits Coach Jaime Guerpo for keeping the program running despite the loss of operating and scholarship funds, as well as his salary.

JMU’s Sakamoto tops qualifying field

Defending champion Nicole Sakamoto earned medalist honors Wednesday in the qualifying round of the Hawaii State Women’s Match Play Championship. That gave her a bye in the afternoon’s first round and a date with Lisa Kang in this morning’s quarterfinals.

Sakamoto, a Kalani graduate heading into her senior year at James Madison, fired a 1-under-par 72 in the morning qualifier at Oahu Country Club. Two-time champion Cyd Okino shot 74 and also earned a bye. She will play Michelle Condry this morning, with matches beginning at 8 a.m. Semifinals are scheduled for 1 p.m., with the final Friday at 7 a.m.

Kang defeated Elyse Okada, 5 and 3, in the first round, while Condry beat Jade Salvador, 7 and 6. Other winners were Valoentina Sanmiguel, over Brittany Yada, and Margaret Min, who got by Sydney Maluenda, both by 4 and 3 scores. Kelli Oride also won 4 and 3, over Kana Aikawa, and Kristina Merkle defeated Marissa Suehiro, 7 and 6.