Mia Watanabe, Kupono Browne and Elena Oglivie had their options.
The three ‘Iolani Raiders decided to stick with red. All three premier athletes signed letters of intent with Stanford on Wednesday morning at the signing ceremony hosted by Education 1st at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Watanabe beamed from under a pile of leis and a red Stanford soccer hat.
“I’m not sure what I want to study yet, but I know that the environment there is going definitely going to push me to be the best I can be,” said Watanabe, who has interest in business and law.
Watanabe made the Star-Advertiser All-State first team as a sophomore but did not play for the Raiders last season.
Browne is an outside hitter for the Raiders volleyball team.
“Life is going to be really good there. Of course, it’s going to be a big challenge, but it’s really important that I challenge myself,” he said. “I’m looking to major in English right now and hopefully go to law school.”
Oglivie, the 2018 All-State player of the year in girls volleyball, already traveled to Egypt this fall to play for the national team.
“Im going on a trip this summer to Kansas, and then Florida for the All-American thing,” Oglivie said.
Browne will be in Chicago this winter, then Reno, Nev. to play in a national tournament. After he enrolls at Stanford, the team may travel to Japan next summer.
“For the summer, I’m going up as soon as I can to Stanford and prepare with my teammates,” Watanabe said.
WOW — Stanford is pretty much everyone’s dream school. It’s amazing to see these amazing students and athletes making their dreams come true! So excited for them!
Elena put on such an amazing show for girls volleyball fans this year, and I’m excited to follow ‘Iolani Boys Volleyball this spring! Kupono plays with rather intense energy out there and I can’t wait to see him and his teammates play!
stanford… STANFORD! Three to Stanford! WOW!