Pacific Athletes of the Week: Jan. 18, 2013
Aaron Stravers
Kubasaki wrestling
Last week: Won the title at 180 pounds, one of five weight classes captured by the Dragons, who went on to take the team title in Saturday’s Nile C. Kinnick Invitational “Beast of the Far East” Tournament at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.
Stravers, a senior transfer from Kinnick, pinned Cody Becker of American School In Japan in the quarterfinals, did the same to Damien Reese of Kadena in the semifinals, then squeaked out a three-period decision over ex-Red Devils teammate and friend Ian O’Brien. Kubasaki edged Kadena 38-34 in the team points, with Kinnick third at 32.
Making it more of an ordeal was cutting 24 pounds to make the 180 weight class,
assistant coach Justin Cook said. “For us to be strong, we need him at 180,” Cook said. “He sacrificed a lot to get to 180, then to go out and win ‘Beast,’ that is pretty amazing.”
De’Asia Brown
Kinnick basketball
Last week: Averaged 25 points in two games, on a long-haul road trip to Matthew C. Perry, and helped the Red Devils improve to 8-0 in DODDS Japan and 10-1 overall. It’s her second Athlete of the Week selection so far this season.
Brown, a sophomore and one of just two returning players on a relatively young team, scored 26 points on Friday as the Red Devils routed the Samurai 53-27. The next day, Brown tossed in 24 points to power Kinnick to a 62-32 triumph over Perry.
Coach Samuel Williams has long stated about Brown that “it’s been awhile since Kinnick has had an athlete who has been able to make this kind of impact at this level in any sport. … She’s a great kid, an exceptional athlete and a good person. What more can you ask of her?”
