Florence, Zietz move on to quarterfinals

Hawaii’s John John Florence and Sebastien Zietz advanced to the quarterfinals of the Volcom Fiji Pro surf contest today at Cloudbreak in Tavarua, Fiji.

Florence won his third-round heat against Damien Hobgood and then beat Taj Burrow and Jordy Smith in the fourth round.

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater and reigning world champ Joel Parkinson also moved into the quarterfinals, along with C.J. Hobgood, Josh Kerr, Mick Fanning and Smith.

Zietz beat Kai Otton in the third round, placed second to Slater in a three-man fourth-round heat to stay alive, and then defeated Burrow in the fourth round of the Association of Surfing Professionals World Tour contest.

Hawaii’s Fred Patacchia was eliminated by Burrow in the third round.

Baxter wins another Stand Up event title

Maui’s Connor Baxter won his third Stand Up World Series title in as many weeks by winning last weekend’s Orleron Island Paddle Challenge off the west coast of France.

Baxter won the sprint race and, coupled with his second-place finish in the distance event behind Maui’s Kai Lenny, won the overall title in the opener of the World Series’ European Trilogy.

Lenny finished second overall, first in the distance event, and fourth in the sprint race.

The tour moves to the Basque Country of Spain for the Bilbao World Paddle Challenge, June 21-23.

Yamauchi, Igawa qualify for Publinx

Dalen Yamauchi and Chris Igawa shot identical rounds of 71-67—138 in a sectional tournament at Hilo Municipal Golf Course on Saturday to earn berths into the USGA’s U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Jason Miyazono and Ric Yamamoto shot 146 to tie for the first alternate spot, which Miyazono eventually won on the fifth playoff hole with a 20-foot birdie putt.

Yamauchi and Igawa move on to the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship in Lorton, Va., on July 15-20.

Kwee, Ishimura earn Osborne award

Sari Kwee and Ashley Ishimura are this year’s recipients of the Muriel Osborne Hawaii Tennis Award. The grants are named after the late USTA Hawaii Tennis Hall of Famer and help competitive junior girls with strong local tournament results who are actively training and competing in tournaments.

Kwee will be a senior at ‘Iolani in the fall. She competed at the 14 Zonals in Colorado in 2010 and trained at the Tennis Center at College Park, Md., last summer. She is planning to play the Junior Fed Cup and ITA tournaments this summer. The ‘Iolani captain has finished second or third in doubles at the last three state high school championships.

Ishimura is ranked No. 1 in the Girls 16s Hawaii Pacific Section, and 101st nationally. She won a state doubles championship as a Punahou freshman in 2012 and was runner-up to Alyssa Tobita in singles this year.