Athlete of the Week

Kuwahara has strong showing in tournament

By News-Sentinel Staff

Jeff Kuwahara

Accomplishment: Tokay High wrestler Jeff Kuwahara placed second and had two pins in the 135-pound weight division, helping the Tigers finish third out of 24 teams in the 30th Annual Lawrence Miller Memorial Tournament at Alhambra High School on Saturday.

Last Thursday, the senior pinned Kevin Lopez as the Tigers bested St. Mary's 48-24 to move to 3-0 in the Tri-City Athletic League.

Family: Ron and Ilene Kuwahara, parents; one sister.

Favorite sport: Wrestling. "It's an individual sport," said Kuwahara, who's been wrestling since his freshmen year.

Favorite athlete: Former NCAA Division I wrestling champion Dan Gable. "He was just a great wrestler; insanely good," Kuwahara said.

Favorite class: Calculus. "The teacher's a fun guy, he jokes around with the class," he said.

Favorite hobbies: Kuwahara enjoys hanging out with friends.

Would like to meet: President Bush. "I admire the guy," Kuwahara said.

Crowning achievement: Reaching the finals of the Alhambra Tournament.

Plans: Kuwahara will attend Westmont College in Santa Barbara, where he'd like to study biology.

The Athlete of the Week is selected by the News-Sentinel sports staff. Nominations are gladly accepted. Kuwahara will receive a T-shirt courtesy of Lodi Sporting Goods for being selected.

First published: Thursday, January 25, 2007