The road to Rio for Devin Jenkins is off to a fast start.

How fast?

How about 20.58 seconds in the 200 meters fast.

It’s the second-fastest time in the world for the 2016 season, and it was clocked by Jenkins, a 2012 Kapolei alumnus, at the Charlie Thomas Invitational this month in College Station, Texas.

The Texas A&M senior has the fastest time by an American and fell just 0.01 seconds short of the mark set by LSU’s Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake.

Jenkins will finish the indoor season with the SEC Championships beginning Thursday, followed by the NCAAs next month.

Then comes outdoor season, which ends in June, and then, if all goes well. Jenkins will try to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“That’s my goal,” Jenkins said before practice Tuesday. “I’ll try my luck with USA and see how it goes.”

It’s a process leading up to the main event in July, but Jenkins is off to an impressive start.

Injuries have hampered him for much of his high school and college career, but finally, in the year that matters the most, he says he’s the healthiest he’s been.

“My goal for this year is to set myself up for the rest of my track career professionally and for the most part, while I have times in mind, this whole season is about me competing healthy,” Jenkins said. “I’ve had ups and downs with my hamstring in high school and when I got to my freshman year in college, I had some issues with my groin.

“Last year was a transition issue for me because your body has to get used to a new program and now I’m at the point of being ready to perform well and staying healthy.”

A three-time individual state champion in high school, Jenkins didn’t receive a major Division I scholarship and ended up at Southern University for two years.

The school was issued a postseason ban from the NCAA for issues related to student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates, so Jenkins couldn’t compete at nationals in his sophomore season.

Jenkins, who was already a highly ranked sprinter, requested his transfer so he could compete on college’s biggest stage.

“We weren’t able to compete for a national championship for academic department issues that were out of my control, so I decided to leave,” Jenkins said.

Unlike in high school, Jenkins was a popular target for the top schools at that point, including LSU, which is located right down the road from Southern University.

Instead, Jenkins decided to attend Texas A&M, where he was lured by coach Pat Henry, who has won 33 national titles in both men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor as a coach at both Texas A&M and LSU.

“I looked at his track record and felt like he had a plan for me,” Jenkins said. “He’s been in the game longer than I have been alive and has built a legacy for himself.”

The transition into a new program was yet another adjustment for Jenkins to make, but the timing was OK.

The target year for Jenkins to be at his peak has always been 2016, when his graduating year matched the Summer Olympics.

The time he posted three weeks ago showed him he is right where he needs to be.

“Indoor is something new to me because I never ran it until I got to college,” Jenkins said. “Indoor really helps me prepare for outdoor because it puts me in a different environment with 200 meters all the way around. It’s like running in a bowl almost.

“If you can manage it and hold your form in that kind of setting, then outdoor is nothing.”

The first outdoor meet of the season is March 18 and the NCAA Championships are held in Eugene, Ore., June 8-11.

The U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team Trials are held this year at the same track just three weeks later.

“That’s really good because I’ll be fresh off the national championships,” Jenkins said. “It’s been a phenomenal start for me (this season) both health-wise and mentally and I’m in a great environment here. The Lord has blessed me. I’m ready to do this.”

AROUND THE NATION

Komoto honored by Big Ten

Northwestern junior Kacie Komoto was named the Big Ten golfer of the week on Feb. 17.

The 2013 Punahou graduate finished the Puerto Rico Classic at 3-over 219 to secure a share of eighth place, leading four Wildcats to top-20 finishes.

The two-time All-Big Ten honoree was sixth in the field with 11 birdies over 54 holes. Her second-round score of 1-under 71 was Northwestern’s best round of the three-day event.

Komoto earned the same Big Ten honor last October after leading the Wildcats to the Windy City Collegiate Classic title.

Komoto was named second-team All-Big Ten a freshman and made the first team last year as a sophomore.

Ma’a garners more honors

UCLA freshman Micah Ma’a was named the Off the Block/Springbak, Inc. co-national freshman of the week on Monday.

The 2015 Punahou graduate hit .389 with 11 kills and guided the Bruins offense to a .312 hitting percentage in a sweep of then-No. 9 Pepperdine last Friday. Ma’a also had 21 assists, two block assists and six digs in the match.

Ma’a, who has already earned the same honor two times previously this season, added 26 assists, 11 kills, two aces and a team-high seven digs in a four-set loss to then-No. 4 Stanford on Sunday. UCLA hit .320 in the match.

Boyer gets WWPA honor

UC San Diego junior Lauren Boyer, a 2013 Punahou alumna, was named the Western Water Polo Association player of the week last Thursday.

Boyer, who won the award for the second time this year, tallied eight goals, two assists and eight steals in five games for UCSD during the Triton Invitational.

She scored once in an 11-3 upset of No. 17 Indiana to open the tournament and scored twice against No. 2 Southern California.

She then scored five times, including the game-winner in sudden-death overtime, to knock off No. 11 UC Santa Barbara 12-11.

UCSD jumped from 19th to No. 13 in the national poll following its 3-2 finish in the tournament.

Tsuha takes home six titles

Grinnell College junior Beth Tsuha, a 2013 Hilo High graduate, broke the school record in the 100-yard freestyle event at the Midwest Conference Championships, finishing in 53.10 seconds to claim the conference title on Sunday.

Tsuha broke the previous mark by 0.12 seconds.

Tsuha won a total of six different events, with three individual titles and three relay titles.

She won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:54.34, besting the next finisher by more than three seconds.

She also won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 5:05.54 in the final, beating the next swimmer by more than six seconds.

Tsuha swam the final leg of the women’s 200-, 400- and 800-yard medley relay teams that finished first.

The 200 time was 1:47.75, while the 400 team won in 3:55.09. The 800 event ended with a time of 7:49.39, giving Grinnell a win by more than 10 seconds over runner-up Lawrence University.

Kauahi grabs SCIAC award

Pomona-Pitzer freshman Maddie Kauahi capped an impressive first season with the Sagehens by earning the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference newcomer of the year award at the conclusion of the SCIAC Championships on Sunday.

The 2015 Kamehameha alumna finished second in the 100-yard freestyle, losing by 0.04 seconds, but still managed to set a program record finishing with a time of 51.09 seconds.

Kauahi helped Pomona-Pitzer also set a program record in the 400 relay event, placing second to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps with a time of 3:29.01.

Baseball

>> KJ Harrison, Punahou ’14: The Oregon State sophomore first baseman, who also started at DH, hit .333 (6-for-18) with five doubles, two walks, five runs scored and five RBIs to help the Beavers go 3-1 in a tournament in Surprise, Ariz., to open the season.

>> Christian Donahue, ‘Iolani ’14: The Oregon State sophomore second baseman started one game but appeared in all four and hit .300 (3-for-10) with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored over the weekend.

>> Rick Nomura, Punahou ’12: The Arkansas second baseman started all three games against Central Michigan and went 2-for-6 with three walks and three runs scored in a sweep of the Chippewas.

>> Brent Sakurai, Mid-Pacific ’13: The New Mexico State junior second baseman started all three games over the weekend and hit .333 (3-for-9) with two walks, two RBIs and three runs scored in a sweep of Towson.

>> Tyler Yamaguchi, Mid-Pacific ’15: The Northern Colorado freshman started the first four games of the season at third base and hit .316 (6-for-19) with three doubles and four runs scored as the Bears opened 1-3.

>> Ryan Yamane, Punahou ’11:The Northern Colorado senior hit .250 (3-for-12) in four games with two doubles, four walks, two stolen bases and an RBI.

>> Corey Nakakura, ‘Iolani ’15:The Northern Colorado freshman reliever picked up the Bears’ only win over the weekend, allowing one run on two hits in two innings with two walks and two strikeouts in a 4-3 victory over Wichita State on Sunday.

>> Cal Koga, Kauai ’15:The San Jose State catcher started his first collegiate game on Saturday and was 1-for-2 with a walk in an 8-5 win over UC Irvine.

>> Dustyn Cook, Mililani ’11: The Oklahoma Baptist shortstop went 4-for-8 with five runs scored and an RBI in a doubleheader sweep of Southern Arkansas on Saturday.

>> Austin Darmawan, ‘Iolani ’13: The Washington (Mo.) shortstop hit .300 (3-for-10) with two walks, a double, six runs scored and three stolen bases to help the Bears finish 1-2 in their season-opening series against Hendrix over the weekend.

>> Trey Kamachi, Kapolei ’12:The Dixie State senior outfielder went 3-for-5 with a stolen base in an 11-6 win over Minot State on Friday.

Men’s Basketball

>> Dexter Williams, Moanalua ’11: The Montana Western senior forward, who was named the Frontier Conference player of the week on Feb. 15, posted a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds on 9-for-17 shooting to go along with four steals, three assists and two blocks in a 64-56 win over Montana Tech on Saturday.

>> Ikaika Phillip, ‘Iolani ’14:The Grinnell College sophomore closed the season with four points, four rebounds and an assist in a 134-94 win over Illinois College on senior night Saturday.

Women’s Basketball

>> Alexandra Masaquel, ‘Iolani ’13:The William & Mary junior forward shot 9-for-15 from the field and finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds with five assists, a block and a steal in a 66-40 win over College of Charleston on Sunday.

>> Samantha Alakai, Punahou ’14:The Smith College sophomore scored nine points and grabbed three rebounds in a 74-66 win over Clark University on senior night Saturday. Alakai had a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Pioneers in a 70-32 victory over Wellesley College on Feb. 17.

>> Jade Chihara, Lahainaluna ’13: The Smith College guard finished with seven points, two assists and two rebounds against Clark University.

>> Kiki Robertson, Mid-Pacific ’13:The Alaska Anchorage junior point guard had eight points, eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in a 70-47 victory over Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

>> Dawnyelle Awa, Konawaena ’12: The Washington State point guard had four points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in a 62-61 win over Arizona on Sunday.

Women’s Golf

>> Rose Huang, ‘Iolani ’15: The Brigham Young freshman shot 8-over 224 after closing with a 76 on Tuesday to finish in a tie for 18th place at The Gold Rush.

>> Ciera Min, Waiakea ’13: The Gonzaga junior finished The Gold Rush in a tie for 47th place at 16 over after shooting rounds of 75, 79 and 78.

>> Taylor Viquelia, Kauai ’13:The Southern Utah junior used a 1-under 71 in her second round to finish in a tie for fourth place at the Bison at Boulder Creek event that wrapped up on Feb. 16. Viquelia rebounded from an opening 81 to finish the tournament at 11-over 227.

>> Kalea Heu, Baldwin ’12: The Utah Valley senior opened with a 74 and finished the Bison at Boulder Creek in a tie for 14th place at 17 over.

>> Cassandra Lesa, University ’12:The Utah Valley senior closed with her best round, a 5-over 77, to finish the Bison at Boulder Creek in a tie for 27th place at 24 over.

Women’s Gymnastics

>> Jenna Frowein, Punahou ’12:The Stanford senior scored a 9.675 on the floor exercise in a loss to Utah on Saturday.

>> Joey Ching, Punahou ’12: The Air Force senior scored a 9.525 on the vault in a tri-meet against Iowa State and Minnesota on Friday.

>> Tracie Villanueva, Moanalua ’13:The Seattle Pacific junior finished third on the beam with a score of 9.750 and also scored a 9.70 on bars in a tri-meet against Illinois and Ball State on Friday.

>> Kristi Hayashida, Home School ’13: The Seattle Pacific junior scored a 9.00 on the beam in the same event.

Softball

>> Kimberlee Souza, ‘Iolani ’11:The Washington senior was 5-for-12 with a double, two walks and six RBIs to help the Huskies go 4-1 at the Mary Nutter Classic over the weekend.

>> Rachel Ogasawara, Kamehameha ’15:The Washington freshman had a pinch-hit single and scored a run in her first collegiate game, helping the Huskies beat Central Michigan 23-0 in five innings on Saturday.

>> Mysha Sataraka, Punahou ’12:The UCLA senior third baseman batted 5-for-11 with four walks, a homer, four runs and two RBIs to help the Bruins go 3-2 at the Mary Nutter Classic.

>> Mikela Manewa, Kapolei ’12:The Oregon State second baseman was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs and an RBI in a 9-1 victory over Hawaii on Friday in the DeMarini Desert Classic.

>> Kamalani Dung, Kamehameha ’15: The Fresno State freshman tossed her first career complete game, allowing two runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts in a 10-2 win over Sacramento State on Sunday.

>> Jadelyn Yadao-Valdez, Mililani ’14:The UNLV center fielder finished 3-for-9 with a triple, two runs and three RBIs to help the Rebels go 3-2 at the DeMarini Desert Classic.

Men’s Swimming

>> Makoa Haneberg, Campbell ’15: The University of Pacific freshman finished second in the 100-yard backstroke (48.15 seconds) and third in the 100 butterfly (47.94) at the MPSF Championships that ended Saturday. Haneberg also swam a leg for the 200 medley relay team that placed second to Brigham Young with a time of 1:26.80.

Men’s Tennis

>> Riley Inn, ‘Iolani ’15: The Puget Sound freshman won his first collegiate match in straight sets at No. 4 singles in a 5-4 loss to Linfield (Ore.) on Saturday.

>> Kawika Lam, Punahou ’15: The Washington freshman helped secure a win at No. 3 doubles in the Huskies’ 4-1 win over No. 52 Pepperdine on Sunday.

>> Alec Wagner, Lahainaluna ’12:The Saint Mary’s senior dropped only one game to win at No. 6 singles and help the Gaels defeat Sonoma State 7-0 on Sunday.

Women’s Tennis

>> Alyssa Tobita, Mililani ’14: The Oregon sophomore won in straight sets at No. 3 singles to help the Ducks hand Iowa its first loss of the season by a 4-1 score on Saturday. Tobita also won in straight sets at No. 3 singles and earned a 6-2 victory at No. 2 doubles in a 4-1 win over Oklahoma on Friday.

>> Bobbi Oshiro, ‘Iolani ’12: The Boise State senior won in straight sets, dropping only one game to help the Broncos defeat South Dakota 6-1 on Sunday. Oshiro is 5-2 in singles in the spring.

>> Ashley Ishimura, Punahou ’15: The Creighton freshman won at both No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles to help complete the 7-0 shutout of Coe College on Saturday.

Men’s Track & Field

>> Michael Chin, Christian Academy ’13: The Northern Arizona junior finished third in the 800 meters topping his previous season-best qualifying time with a 1:52.99 on Friday at the NAU Tune Up in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Women’s Water Polo

>> Naomi Ng, Punahou ’12:The Villanova senior scored a team-high 15 goals over the weekend to help the Wildcats finish 4-0 at the Mercyhurst Invitational.

>> Sarina Shibata, Punahou ’12:The Villanova senior tied for second on the Wildcats with nine goals in the Mercyhurst Invitational.

Compiled by Star-Advertiser’s Billy Hull. To submit an athlete for publication, email bhull@staradvertiser.com.