BJ Wilhelm-Ioane runs the T-Drill at the Maui Football Combine last June. Photo by Riley Yap.
By Rodney S. Yap
Baldwin High School’s BJ Wilhelm-Ioane has had to pull out of this weekend’s Gridiron University Prep Stars Classic All-Star Bowl Game in Las Vegas, due to family reasons.
The Bears’ all-star linebacker was one of five Hawaii players chosen to represent the 50th state in Saturday’s game at Boyd Stadium.
Wilhelm-Ioane said he was “excited” when he received the invitation and had been training with “Coach Dave” Carino.
The game is set up to give graduating high school seniors a chance to showcase their talents one last time before moving onto the college ranks.
More than 90 of the Western States best high school senior football players are slated to participate, as the bowl game is designed to emulate that of the NFL’s Pro Bowl via a week’s worth of activities such as: a golf tournament; player visits to local schools and hospitals; banquets; and first-class parties, all culminating with the game to be played on the week following New Year’s Day every year.
Wihelm-Ioane, considered the MIL’s strongest player after posting the top bench-press numbers (16 reps x 225 pounds) at the 2011 Maui Football Combine, said Oregon State University is at the top of his list of colleges he would like to attend.
Before the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Wilhelm-Ioane graduates, he plans to throw the discus again, and return to the baseball diamond, where he was one of the Valley Isle’s best catchers before he decided to concentrate on football three years ago.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Wilhelm-Ioane said of Baldwin baseball, “It should be fun.”
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