UH Hilo Women Golfers Sign Two

The University of Hawaiʻi Hilo women’s golf team has announced the signing of a pair of student-athletes to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period.

Local student Kaelyn Uchida of Waiakea High School in Hilo and Mililani High School’s Carli Shimokihara are prep seniors this year and will join the Vulcans for the 2018-19 season.

Kaelyn Uchida signs her national letter of intent letter. PC Troy Tamiya

“They are both very dedicated golfers,” Coach Jim DeMello said. “Their commitment to golf is deep, they have both been playing junior golf for quite some time. Their own expectations to do well drives them.”

Shimokihara carried a 79.25 scoring average as a junior at Mililani, the ninth best average in the O‘ahu Interscholastic Association (OIA). She was a First Team Western Division selection for the Trojans. She desires to major in business at UH Hilo.

Uchida played No. 2 on a Waiakea team that finished fifth at the HHSAA tournament. She shot an 81 in the opening round, and also carded the same score at the Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association Hualalai Junior Classic this fall.

“Kaelyn and Carli will both help us a lot,” DeMello added. “They are committed to Hilo and want to be here. I trust that they will work hard during their senior seasons and be ready to tackle college golf next fall.”