College golf: Duo vault Vulcans to NCAA championships

Chris Shimomura and Corey Kozuma provided fitting bookends for their college golf careers.

The University of Hawaii at Hilo seniors each finished in the top five Wednesday at an NCAA Division II super regional in Austin, Texas, vaulting the Vulcans to the NCAA championships.

Consistent for the third straight round at Grey Rock Golf Club, Shimomura closed with a 1-under 71 and finished three strokes off the lead in third place. Kozuma (73) was another shot back in fourth at 1-over 217.

Both were freshmen in 2011 when UH-Hilo made its last NCAA appearance. The championships are scheduled for May 21 to 23 in Allendale, Mich.

The Vulcans (30-over 894) qualified comfortably, tying for second with Chico State behind St. Edward’s (878). California State-Monterey Bay (897), Western New Mexico (903) and Simon Fraser (904) also earned berths.

UH-Hilo’s Dalen Yamauchi, a Waiakea graduate, will head to the NCAA finals for the second consecutive year after being an individual qualifier in 2013. The junior endured his toughest round of the regional with a 79, leaving him in a tie for 28th place at 10-over.

Kyeton Littel’s 76 marked his best round, and the sophomore turned in a 235, while senior Christian Agosto (83) struggled again and was 28-over.

Midwestern State’s Derek Oland closed with a 67 to finish at 3-under for a two-stroke victory.

Women: Kristen Sawada (76), Kacie Harada (77), Nyssa Aoki (74), Dayna Bersamin (81) and Jade Salvador (85) each carded their best round at an NCAA super regional in Mansfield, Texas, as the Vulcans ended their season eighth in a nine-team race.

Tarelton State (919) claimed the regional, 53 shots ahead of UH-Hilo.

Sawada, a junior, tied for 11th at 10-over, while Harada capped her career at 226. Aoki (247) and Bersamin (252) are also seniors.