Nike/SPARQ combine showcases football prospects


More than 350 high school students from around the state participated at the Nike/SPARQ combine held at Saint Louis School. Brien Ing | SL
More than 350 high school students from around the state and from the West Coast spent Saturday testing in hopes of getting into college.

And they enjoyed it.

This wasn't the SAT or the ACT, but the Nike/SPARQ combine held at Saint Louis School's football field.

Athletes ranging from eighth grade to 11th - or returning or entering high school players - were measured (height and weight) and tested in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle and power ball throw. All attendees received a SPARQ rating for a chance to qualify for the national championships in July.

Former Saint Louis School student Brandon Brody-Heim, of Union High in Vancouver, Wash., posted the highest SPARQ rating of 104.79. The junior moved to the Mainland about four years ago. Even though there are combines in different areas of the country, Brody-Heim said he wanted to get a head start.

"It's the first one of the year, so I wanted to see what it was," a running back/safety/linebacker.

He ran 4.63 seconds 40-yard dash, 4.15 shuttle, had 38 inch vertical jump and a 30.8 feet power ball toss.

The highest-rated Hawai'i player was Kamehameha junior Micah Pono Choy, who scored 102.21, the third-highest score overall.

Choy, Saint Louis defensive lineman Kalei Auelua, Punahou defensive end Luke Kaumatule, Punahou offensive lineman Matthew Sparks and Kailua defensive back Kila Zuttermeister were named top rising senior honorable mentions.

The top underclassman performer was Saint Louis sophomore receiver Jeremy Tabuyo, who was sixth overall at 99.21.

Underclassmen honorable mentions were Punahou defensive lineman Canton Kaumatule, Saint Louis offensive lineman Reeve Koehler, Punahou linebacker Isaac Savaiinaea, Wai'anae defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasaeali'i and Kahuku running back Aofaga Wily.

Not all participants were football players or boys.

Kamehameha-Maui girls' soccer player Makana Pundyke, one of the leading goal scorers on Maui, took part for the same reason the boys did, except she wants to play soccer at the next level. She tallied 31.35, which was better than more than 30 boys' scores.

"(I wanted) the experience and to see what a combine is," said Pundyke, one of the Maui Interscholastic League's leading goal scorers. "See where I'm at for my speed and agility."

The testing made no distinction between sexes. Her times and measurements were tested exactly the same as the boys.

"It didn't faze me," Pundyke said. "I just played my game."

Unlike other girls' soccer players who kick for their football teams, Pundyke doesn't.

"I don't even know football, actually," she said.

For individual results, go to: http://rise.espn.go.com/football/articles/2011/01/29-hawaii-combine-results.aspx?pursuit=Football


Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].