Kikaha is finalist for Butkus Award

Washington’s Hau‘oli Kikaha is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.

Kikaha, a 2010 graduate of Kahuku High, leads the FBS in tackles for loss with 231⁄2 and is tied for the lead in sacks at 171⁄2.

The senior linebacker added to his total with a sack on the first defensive play of Saturday’s 37-13 win over Oregon State that made the Huskies bowl eligible at 7-5 overall.

Kikaha holds the UW single-season and career sack records. He is eighth in Pac-12 history with 341⁄2 career sacks, and his 171⁄2 sacks this season is tied for the fifth most in conference history, trailing only Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), Tim Ryan (USC), Tedy Bruschi (Arizona), and Leilehua graduate Al Harris (Arizona State).

Carney garners first-team honors

Dickinson (N.D.) State running back Jesse Carney was named to the All-North Star Athletic Association first team last Wednesday.

Carney, a 2011 Kalaheo graduate, rushed for 1,049 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior.

Carney holds the Hawaii high school single-game record with 379 rushing yards.

Teammate Awa Poggi, a 2011 Kailua alumnus, was named to the second team as a defensive back.

Poggi made 61 tackles in 11 games and intercepted four passes with one fumble recovery.

Murphy helps Colorado run to an NCAA title

Colorado’s Pierce Murphy, a 2011 graduate of Island School on Kauai, finished in 35th place in the men’s 10k race on Saturday to help the Buffaloes win their second straight NCAA cross country championship.

Murphy finished the race in a time of 30 minutes, 51.7 seconds and earned a medal for placing in the top 40.

Colorado coach Mark Wetmore said after the meet, "This is probably our best team ever." It’s the fifth men’s national championship for the Buffaloes.