University of Hawai'i Athletics would like to recognize and congratulate the Class of 2020. Below are stories of some of the 65 current and former student-athletes representing 21 sports who were set to receive their degrees at the Spring Commencement Exercises.
Zigmars Raimo | Men's Basketball | Madona, Latvia | Finance
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose UH because it was always my dream to play D1 basketball and Hawai'i was the place that gave me this opportunity. Hawai'i has been nothing but great to me and it will always be my second home.
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Warrior?
My favorite memories were probably on the court during my senior year. We had some great wins on our homecourt. I will never forget the games against UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton and the feeling that I had playing in front of our fans.
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
I love basketball so I will keep playing it in Europe closer to my family.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
UH is not only the most beautiful place on the earth, but it's also a place with generous people who will always take care of you and make sure you are okay. You will never be bored here and you will have the best four years of your life, just like I did.
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
I've had so many people helping me, starting with my teammates and coaches and ending with all the Aunties and Uncles. The support system Hawai'i provided me was something I could've never imagined and I cannot say enough how thankful I am that I was surrounded with people like this.
Julissa Tago | Women's Basketball | Medford, Ore. | Sociology
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose Hawai'i because it felt like my home away from home. Playing for Hawai'i is different than playing for any other school. we are the only school who represents a whole state. and for me that was something special. My overall experience here was amazing. I learned a lot of things as not only a basketball player but as a person as well.
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine?
I have many moments that are great but one of my favorite would be senior night. seeing my family in the stands for the first time in my whole four years was really special and I don't know what could've been better for me.
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
I am pursuing my career with basketball further. I will be going to play overseas. Some day I would like to be the Hawai'i women's basketball head coach.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
This is a special place and you build bonds with people you never thought you would build. It's truly special. You learn a sense of humbleness being here.
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
Garret (Clanin) my academic advisor has been instrumental for me. He really has guided me and pushed me to be better. There are times I didn't want to do it but he always reminded me of the bigger goal at hand.
Katrina Sudweeks | Swimming | Oakley, Calif. | Public Health & Communicology
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I chose UH because it was all around the best all around fit for me as a student and as an athlete. I saw how many opportunities UH had for growth in the pool as well as the classroom and knew I had to jump on it. My experience at UH as a student-athlete over the past four years has been everything I ever could have asked for and so much more. I have met so many talented and inspirational people and have made so many friends from all around the world. It is truly such a unique experience that I will be forever grateful for.
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine?
My favorite memory as a Rainbow Wahine was winning the MPSF conference meet this year. It was the fourth year in a row winning for the Wahine and the second year in a row for the men. It was so fun to win on both sides again and see everyone's hard work and dedication pay off, it really does make the endless hours of training we do day in and day out all worth it. It was my last meet ever, and definitely the most memorable and special one to me.
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
Still to be determined. I am currently on the hunt for a job in the public health field. However, I do have my eyes on a MS in Health Care Administration program that I would like to start next year. This next step in my education is fueled by my career aspirations of hopefully becoming a hospital administrator in the future.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
If I could give a piece of advice to anyone interested in UH, it would be to just to keep working hard in the classroom and in the pool or on the field or court. Do some research about the school, like what major you might be interested in, and find how you can really make the most out of your time at UH because it really does fly by fast.
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
There have been so many people who have played instrumental roles in helping me earn my degrees at UH and I would like to thank them all. My biggest supporters however have always been my parents. Although they live in California, they have been by my side every step of the way throughout my college career and I couldn't have done it without them. I would like to thank them for giving me the chance four years ago to come to Hawai'i and follow my dream of being a student-athlete. This opportunity and their full support of my education has been the greatest gift I could ever ask for.
Olli Kokko | Swimming | Lahti, Finland | Finance (major), Economics (minor)
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
I wanted to do something different and kind of like "change the atmosphere." Hawai'i is quite the opposite compared to Finland. Obviously the swim team here is very competitive which made it easier to decide. Who wouldn't like to live in Hawai'i?
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Warrior?
So many good memories, but I won't forget my first race in our 2017 intersquad (Green & White Meet) where I was finally able to race after long injury and rehab. I surprised everybody, including myself. Also, all the memories when we have fought as a team. Our class is special in many ways including scoring points, NCAA appearances and in general just how close we are and how well we come along.
Another special swim for me was the Georgia Last Chance meet in February. I had already swam my best time that ranked 9
th in the country earlier and I did not have swims, so we figured out to try a 200-free relay that I have never been part of before. I ended up surprising a lot of people and going under 20 (19.75). Time we did in that relay was also a new school record. This particular relay ended up being my last swim for UH after the NCAA got cancelled. I cannot emphasize how important relays have always been for me. They are something I always look forward to and I am grateful for the coaches that I got to swim in so many relays.
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
I'm going to keep swimming professionally, my Olympic dream is still alive for 2021. I still love swimming and couldn't think of life without it. Hopefully I can work on my master's degree simultaneously.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
If you're thinking about UH, make it happen. This might be your only chance to live in Hawai'i and enjoy such a unique atmosphere. It will be worth it. UH has all the resources you need in order to become a world class swimmer/athlete and this program is just starting to take off. Great things coming in the upcoming years.
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
Top of my list, my Mom and Dad who have always been supporting me no matter what. Obviously, coaches
Elliot Ptasnik,
Marcus Guttmann, Cristel Simms,
Ivy Martin,
Nick Folker. They have all been instrumental in helping me to become the person and athlete I am today. Special thank you to Dan Schemmel for supporting me during my hard times when I had my injuries. "Trust the process."
Also, thank you to academic advisor
Justin Clapp for being especially helpful with the academic side. When he says reach out anytime, it literally means if you text him 3:00 a.m., he will respond to you in five seconds. Thank you to training room staff, especially Emily Grazyk and Laura Haun for all the help.
Chia Hua Lu | Men's Tennis | Taipei, Taiwan | Economics
Why did you choose UH and what was your overall experience like?
It's because of the vibe and atmosphere. When I first came to the islands, I fell in love with this place, and wanted to spend my four years here.
What was your favorite memory as a Rainbow Warrior?
All the time we put on the tennis court, weight room and the morning running.
What's next for you? What is your career aspiration?
I want to go back to Taiwan and share everything I have learned to people. I have received so much, so I feel it's time to give them back.
What advice would you give to anyone interested in UH?
Live Aloha, Play Warrior!
Who has been instrumental in helping you get your degree and what would you like to tell them?
I have been blessed to receive all kinds of help from several people over the past few years. I want to say big thank you to them. Without them, I cannot be able to make it this far.
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