A not so brief history of the strangeness that is Ahi fish’s sports life:
Soccer – played since he was 4 1/2 (not an all-star player, but continued to play – freshman year – jv starting goalie, varsity backup goalie; sophomore year – varsity left fullback; junior year – refused to play soccer)
Baseball - played since he was 5 (not an all-star player, cried all the way until majors, begging me to let him quit) Freshman year – athletic director released him from the varsity soccer team w/o the soccer coach’s ok so that Ahi would have time to play JV baseball (he was released right before the soccer team left for states), was one of 2 freshmen picked up to play varsity baseball that year; sophomore year – JV benchwarmer, varsity courtesy runner, 2nd year at states, all star team for RBI – played in Houston this summer.
Basketball = played until he was 10, when mom said, “you know what, you’re not progressing, let’s quit” – and he did.
Volleyball – started playing in 8th grade, freshman year JV volleyball middle blocker and hitter (short as he is he can jump – inherited from mom); sophomore year – volleyball moves to spring and butts up against baseball. He continues to play in the community and sometimes when he can fit it in, plays Haili tournament.
Cross Country – started sophomore year when fall season no longer was volleyball. He’s a middle of the pack runner – when he’s not hurt he can easily go under 19 minutes for 3 miles, but has to push to get close to 17 minutes. He is plagued by lower back, knee and ankle injuries (also inherited from mom).
Track – started in his sophomore year as a way to do 4 sports in one year (butts up against baseball, but track offers 6 am practices so he goes to school early). Middle distance runner – he hasn’t hit his potential yet, but likes the 800 and 400 but 400 is a full on sprint for him and he’s not a sprinter. Would love to be a jumper, but can’t fit in enough practice time to get the technique. He should probably go longer than 800, but LOVES the 4 x 400.
Cheerleading – started in his junior year while he was waiting for baseball to start. He loves to do stunts and likes working out at the gym where he can work on his tucks and flips. The gals quickly took him in, invited him to their Christmas party and last night, he did his first official JV and varsity basketball game. He got his own megaphone and he got to do stunts and one-ups. (He lifts one girl solo – he should have tried to bulk up more – the dead lift from the shoulders up is brutal).
Next year? He doesn’t want to paddle or bowl or golf or do air riflery. He would never do judo (his girlfriend is nationally ranked), and he looks scrawny but he’s got a heavy frame so he would get killed in wrestling.
Tennis? Nope. During baseball season. I think there’s nothing else he can do. Maybe he’ll go back to soccer, or maybe he’ll go back to hula. There’s always excitement at our house.
Wait until Ponolani moves to middle school next year – I think he’s going to create a whole different path.
