HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i football coach June Jones announced the 2002 team awards Sunday night at the annual awards banquet, sponsored by Na Koa, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (6-0, 218, Sr., Vista, CA) took home the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award, defensive tackle Lance Samuseva (5-11, 290, Jr., Waianae, Oahu) received the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award, while quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen (6-4, 219, Sr., Kailua, Oahu) garnered the scholar-athlete award for the fourth straight year.

Tinoisamoa, a tri captain who earned first team all-WAC honors last week, led the Warriors with 121 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss (-67) and 6.5 (-38) sacks, led or co-led the Warriors in total tackles in seven games, and was second on the team with two interceptions for 23 yards.

Samuseva, the team's unsung hero, played through injury and never missed a practice or game and finished the regular season with 44 tackles, three tackles-for-loss (-10), one sack (-8), one pass break up and eight quarterback hurries.

Withy-Allen filled in for injured starter Timmy Chang and completed 31-of-55 passes for 531 yards and five touchdowns, while maintaining a cumulative grade point average 3.83. The Kalaheo High School graduate will earn his college degree in communications later this month.

The Captains Awards went to running back Thero Mtchell (5-10, 210, Sr, Bothell, WA) on offense, linebacker Chris Brown (6-1, 255, Sr., Kalahuu, Oahu) on defense, and Chad Kapanui (6-0, 205, So., Honolulu) on special teams. Mitchell led the team in touchdowns with 10, amassed 314 yards on 53 attempts rushing and had 20 catches for 195 yards. Brown, a two-time all-WAC pick, was second on the team with 80 tackles, including eight tackles-for-loss (-15), one sack (-5), added two interceptions, seven quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a pass break up. Kapanui served as the up-man on punts and tossed a 70-yard completion to Kilinahe Noa on a fake at UTEP, while recording 25 tackles, including one for-a-loss, and a blocked kick.

Warrior Club Awards went out to guard Vince Manuwai (6-2, 309, Sr., Honolulu) on offense, Hyrum Peters (5-8, 188, Jr., Laie, Oahu) on defense and Keith Bhonapha (5-9, 197, Sr., Oakland, CA) on special teams. Manuwai, who amassed a team-high 60 pancake blocks, was the team's most dominant offense lineman earning first team all-WAC honors and All-America honors by CBSSportsline.com. Peters co-led the Warriors with four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns. The first-team all-WAC honoree also broke the school record for most interception return yards in a season and career.

Scout Team Awards were handed out to Garrett Dearing (6-4, 239, Fr., Hilo, Hawai`i) on offense, Tanuvasa Moe (5-11, 218, Fr., Honolulu) on defense and Gary Wright (5-10, 201, Jr., Kailua, Oahu) on special teams.

Captains Award
Offense: Thero Mitchell
Defense: Chris Brown
Special Teams: Chad Kapanui

Warrior Club
Offense: Vince Manuwai
Defense: Hyrum Peters
Special Teams: Keith Bhonapha

Scout Teams
Offense: Garrett Dearing
Defense: Tanuvasa Moe
Special Teams: Gary Wright

Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award: Lance Samuseva

Scholar-Athlete Award: Shawn Withy-Allen

Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award: Pisa Tinoisamoa

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