The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo team won the 2026 Pacific West Conference Championship at Aliante Golf Club, marking the program’s second conference title.

The Vulcans held steady in second place through the first two rounds before delivering a strong final-round score of 295 (+7), finishing the tournament at +31 (895) to clinch the team victory.

Elle Otani led the way for UH Hilo, tying for fourth overall at +4 with rounds of 74, 73, and 73. Otani closed with a par on the final hole, sealing the win as teammates rushed to celebrate.

Kiersten Saludares placed eighth at +9, followed by Kailee McKee in ninth at +10 and Trinity Ledgerwood tied for 10th at +11. Kieran Florino bounced back from a difficult second round to post a one-over finish in the final round, contributing to the team’s decisive push.

The team will now compete in the NCAA West Regional tournament in Colorado, May 4–6.

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The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo team was named a 2025 All-Academic Team by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association after posting a 3.49 team grade-point average during the fall semester.

To qualify for the honor, programs must compete and record a team score at the NCAA Division II Regional Cross Country Championships and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. UH Hilo placed No. 24 at the NCAA Division II West Regional in Monmouth, Oregon.

The coaches association is a nonprofit professional organization that represents cross country and track and field coaches at all levels of the sport and oversees academic and athletic recognition programs nationwide.

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The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo reached another academic milestone, with nearly 230 student-athletes posting a record-high combined GPA of 3.32 for the 2024–25 academic year. The achievement marks a continued upward trend, surpassing the previous year’s then-record 3.28 GPA.

The PacWest Conference also announced that a program-best 170 UH Hilo student-athletes were named to the Academic All-PacWest Team for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

“Our Vulcans student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom,” said Patrick Guillen, UH Hilo’s director of athletics. “Academic excellence is an expectation in our program, and the combined support from our coaches, academic advisors and professors provide the assistance that lead to our student-athletes’ success.”

Four Vulcans also earned perfect 4.0 GPAs: Mason Cook (baseball), Lauren Otsubo (softball), Cami Oyama (women’s tennis) and Brandon Wada (baseball).

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Four University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo Vulcan tennis players earned spots on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team for excellence in both academics and athletics. Honorees must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, have at least a sophomore standing and meet competition criteria.

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• Yu Jhe Du
• Jaime Paquet

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• Cami Oyama
• Mila Srebro

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Former University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo head coach Garrett Estrin, 48, died on April 17, in California after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer.

Estrin was named the program’s eighth head coach in May 2022 and helped the Vulcans soccer programs begin a new era by leading the men’s team to a season-opening 2-1 victory over Cal Poly Humboldt on the brand-new turf Vulcan Soccer Field.

Estrin coached soccer at various levels for nearly 20 years. He spent his collegiate playing days at Cal State Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) where he was a three-time team captain as goalkeeper, helping the Toros claim the 2000 NCAA Division II National Championship with five saves in a four-overtime victory. He received the 2000–01 Dr. Richard Butwell Senior Award, given in recognition for dedication to CSUDH, community service and academic commitment.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Garrett, who I have known for more than 25 years,” said UH Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen, who served as CSUDH director of sports information during the Toros’ national championship run. “My heart goes out to his beautiful wife Helen and his two children. G was truly an amazing person, first and foremost, a great husband and a wonderful father. He lived and loved life and was admired by all those who came in contact with him. While only here at Â鶹´«Ã½ Hilo for one year, he made a tremendous impact on the lives of his players and is greatly missed. May he rest in love and aloha.”

Funeral services are scheduled for April 17, at the Forest Lawn Memorial in Glendale, California.

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