AIEA, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University's Keita Okada fired an even-par 72 to lead HPU to a first-place tie at 11-over 299 in the season opening HPU Sharks Shootout at Pearl Country Club.
 
The Sharks 299 was matched late in the afternoon by the University of Hawai'i second team, "The Nightwalkers," thanks to Jake Sequin's even-par 72 to tie Okada. The UH Warriors are third at 302, with UH Hilo fourth at 309. The HPU White team is fifth at 310 ahead of Chaminade at 342.
 
The defending PacWest Conference Champion Okada, a sophomore from Tokyo, Japan/Bradenton, Fla. IMG Academy, toured the par 72, 6,787 yard Pearl course. He bogeyed the 11th and 12th, his second and third holes of the round and made the turn at 2-over. He came back with a birdie on the par 5 first hole and followed with a birdie two on the par three third. He finished the front side in 2-under for the even-par round.
 
HPU junior Hasee Nazir of Orange, Calif./Orange Lutheran is in a four-way tie for third after firing a 1-over 73. Joining Nazir is Hawai'i's A.J. Teraoka, UH Hilo's Keith Ing and UH Hilo individual Andrew Otani.
 
HPU junior Keli'i Kamelamela-Dudoit of Ho'olehua, Hawai'i/Kamehameha-Kapalama is tied for 10th after a 4-over 76, with freshman Tomoro Shimabukuro of Okinawa, Japan/Bradenton, Fla. IMG Academy adding a 6-over 78 and senior Ray Kim of Aiea, Hawai'i/Moanalua carding an 81.
 
The Sharks White team is strong as well, with senior Ryan Torres of San Jose, Calif./Evergreen Valley and freshman Luke Shamblin of Matthews, N.C./Metrolina Christian tied for eighth at 3-over 75. Sophomore Noah Daher of Cottonwood, Ariz./Mingus Union posted a 6-over 78, and sophomore Nate Gani of Lanai City, Hawai'i/Lanai an 82.
 
The season-opening tournament concludes on Monday with a final 18-hole round. The first tee time is set for 10:38 a.m. at Pearl Country Club.