Over 400 participate in Nike SPARQ combine


Participants at the Nike SPARQ combine run a parachute drill. Brien Ing | SL
Punahou quarterback Larry Tuileta is no stranger to the football field.

The 6-foot 2-inch sophomore signal-caller was instrumental in the Buffanblu's march to an ILH league title and a runner-up finish in this year's Division I state football championship.

Now he can add combine to his gridiron resume.

Tuileta was one of more than 450 participants who converged on Saint Louis School's football field on a Saturday morning to see how they measured up, both locally and nationally.

Participating athletes, all currently enrolled from the eighth grade to 11th, had their height and weight measured, and were also tested in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle and power ball throw. All attendees received a SPARQ rating and a chance to qualify for the national championships in July at Nike World Headquarters.

"I was able to meet a lot of new coaches and new talent coming up next year" said Tuileta, who posted an unofficial score of 67.08.

The standouts from the day were junior-laden, led by Punahou linebacker Isaac Savaiinaea, who posted an unofficial mark of 110.82.

He ran 4.66 second time in 40-yard dash and 4.14 in the shuttle, reached the 31-inch mark in the vertical leap and a 38.0 foot power ball toss.

Other top scorers incuded Kamehameha-Hawaii cornerback Shaun Kagawa (109.56), Saint Louis safety Pali Galdeira (108.84), and Wai'anae defensive lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii (98.25).

McKinley linebacker Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta was the top performing underclassman, posting an unofficial score of 88.92, placing him amongst the top 10 tested.

For complete results from the combine, please visit: http://espn.go.com/high-school/football/events/nike-sparq-combines/2012/honolulu/results


Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].