Tribune-Herald
Hilo Aquatic Club’s Madisyn Uekawa has been named the Big Island Athlete of the Month for July.
Uekawa, a Waiakea High School senior, captured five gold medals at the state age group long course swimming championships held in mid-July on Oahu. She picked up a pair of wins in the freestyle (50, 100) and breaststroke (100, 200) and touched first in the 100-meter butterfly.
Uekawa finished second overall in the 17-18 division, just three points behind Kauai swimmer Anya Littlefield.
The Big Island athlete of the month program is sponsored by Don’s Grill, under owner Don Hoota. The athlete of the month as well as athlete and sportsperson of the year programs were founded by the late Jack Matsui.
Members of the selection committee are Hugh Clark, Ramon Goya, Stan Costales and chairman Bill O’Rear.
Nominations
Nominations for the August athlete of the month may be sent to Don’s Grill, 485 Hinano St., Hilo, HI 96720, or to Bill O’Rear, Tribune-Herald Sports, P.O. Box 767, Hilo, HI 96721; or e-mail borear@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 1.
2012 Athletes of the Month
• January: Jason Alani, NFL Punt, Pass & Kick national champion.
• February: State champions Konawaena (girls D-I basketball), Kamehameha (girls D-II basketball), Honokaa (boys D-II soccer) and swimming champions Anu Nihipali (Hawaii Prep) and Beth Tsuha (Hilo High).
• March: Kamehameha’s Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy captured his second straight state heavyweight wrestling title.
• April: UH-Hilo softball standout Aisha Sueda.
• May: Waiakea baseball standouts Quintin Torres-Costa and Kodi Medeiros and Kamehameha volleyball star Evan Enriques and track champion Aukai Akau.
• June: Ronnie Loeffler, Hawaii Stars baseball pitcher.
