Christian Standhardinger left nothing to chance this time.
The junior forward on Hawaii’s men’s basketball team, spurned by bad luck in the final stage of last year’s "King of the Beach" competition on the Waikiki sand, seized the Rainbow Warriors’ preseason conditioning title of 2012-13 with a win-at-all-costs fervor on Saturday morning.
After the players gave their all in crawling, running and throwing weighted balls across the Queen’s Beach sand in 15 drills, UH coach Gib Arnold tallied the scores and crowned the exuberant Standhardinger with a haku lei. Defending "King" Hauns Brereton, this year’s runner-up, bowed and handed over the winner’s koa bowl perpetual trophy.
The bowl will hang above Standhardinger’s locker for the duration of the upcoming season.
"It’s an amazing feeling. Hauns is just a feisty person … and obviously, is a very, very good competitor," said Standhardinger, who sat out last season as a transfer from Nebraska. "You know, we both get better by competing against each other."
It was at times a chaotic free-for-all when others challenged the clear co-favorites.
"Christian bit me on the arm at one stage," said the third-place finisher, freshman guard Michael Harper. He laughed in disbelief and showed off the bite marks.
Yup, this circus-like competition to cap off preseason weekly beach conditioning is now officially an Arnold staple.
"It was tons of fun. Guys worked extremely hard," the third-year coach said. "It’s a way to celebrate who we are and where we’re from, and also celebrate a real tough month and a half of working out."
The team will press ahead with its individual gym workout and weightlifting sessions leading up to the Oct. 12 start of full practices.
What might have been underscored for curious Waikiki passersby familiar with the ‘Bows? Just how many new faces there are. Nine newcomers join four returnees and three other players who redshirted last year. That includes the 6-foot-8 Standhardinger, who figures to see plenty of time in the post with his energetic style.
Brereton officially edged Standhardinger by a point last year — there was some controversy around the final event — but this time the German won 26-21.
"We wouldn’t have it any other way," Brereton said. "Guys got to come out here and compete, (I was) glad to pass the bowl to Christian — he deserved it, he earned it. It’s a good start to a great year."
Harper finished third with 15 points after winning the final, signature beach sprint event. To take that, a player had to run down to the water, dunk himself, return and throw a weighted ball over an 8-foot goal. Players tackled each other to prevent a toss until Harper finally sprung free.
"I was pretty keen to win that one," the Australian said. "Christian had a deal with Jace (Tavita) to take me out. But I overcame that. … That was good fun."
Standhardinger said, "I never been part of a team that close together and who’s that hard working. … I think we have a great future. Obviously, we have a lot of freshmen coming in, but they’re all very hard workers and amazing personalities. So I think we can surprise some people."
The only ‘Bows not participating were senior center Vander Joaquim (right MCL tear) and freshman guard Aaron Valdes (NCAA clearance issues). Joaquim is trying to return to action before the season opener on Nov. 9.
