Kamaka fights for spot with UH football

No wonder Hawaii receiver Tristin Kamaka appears to have all the characteristics of a player-coach on a football field.

Kamaka also serves as an assistant coach with Moanalua High’s wrestling team.

“That’s been a family sport for years,” said Kamaka, whose younger sister Codi-Jane wrestles for the Menehune. Wrestling is “something not that we have to do, but feel it’s best for our family.”

Kamaka, a 2014 Leilehua High graduate, noted: “In our family, we’ve got five state champs. I was the first boy to lose in the state finals.”

Although he was defeated in the 152-pound championship, Kamaka still was named to the OIA’s first team four years in a row. He also has won six amateur titles as a kickboxer.

Kamaka now is trying to pin down a spot in the Rainbow Warriors’ playing rotation.

“I’m sure all those athletic moves are helping him,” head coach Nick Rolovich said of Kamaka’s fighting background. “But the reason he’s having success is his hard work and his want-to in this offense. That’s all it takes.”

Kamaka is competing for the slotback opening opposite John Ursua, who is in the final stages of rehabilitation from a knee injury. Kamaka has shown quick cleats and quick thinking while deciphering coverages and running routes in the Warriors’ run-and-shoot offense.

His school day begins before dawn. He said he leaves his family’s Kapolei house at 4:30 a.m., arrives at UH at 5:15, and is dressed and on the practice field at 5:40 a.m. “to get mentally prepared and ready for the practice and the day ahead.”

In his free time, he works out under his father, Kai Kamaka, head trainer of 808 Fight Factory, which has developed MMA fighters Falaniko Vitale, Ron “The Machine Gun” Jhun and Ray “Bradda Boy” Cooper.

Torres slots into new role

At 6-2 and 245 pounds, Dakota Torres was not a prototypical tight end. In the offseason, Torres shed some weight and changed positions, but he does not appear to match the image of a slotback.

“He’s really taking to the slot position,” Rolovich said of Torres. “He’s very smart. He gives us experience. He’s a very solid catcher. … Because he knows what he’s doing, he plays fast, which helps him.”

Torres practiced Tuesday after missing a few workouts because of an ailment. “It’s good to be back,” Torres said. “I’m embracing the slotback role. It’s fun. I run more routes. I do a lot less hitting, but we find a way (to block). There’s always a way. I keep looking for people.”

Heffernan back in charge

It has been business as usual since Tommy Heffernan began working directly with the football team’s strength and conditioning program.

Heffernan, UH’s overall strength/conditioning coordinator, took charge after Bubba Reynolds left the football program. Reynolds’ departure as strength/conditioning coordinator was confirmed during UH’s spring break two weeks ago. Heffernan said plans to permanently fill the opening probably will be decided after the spring semester.

“We’ll figure out the long-term situation,” Heffernan said.

Heffernan and his staff have been working with the football program. “It’s a group effort,” Heffernan said. “Football is a big sport. We try to get as much guys involved as possible.”

For now, Heffernan is using workouts related to his powerlifting background. “Those are bread-and-butter lifts,” he said, noting that eventually additional workouts will be tailored specifically for positions and body types. “We’ll look to what exercises will benefit them at their positions to make them better.”