KWU Men’s Basketball Team Hawaii Trip

Honolulu Island 

This past winter break Kansas Wesleyan men’s basketball team spent a week in Hawaii. The team left December 16th as they took a 3 hour bus drive to Kansas City, boarded a 2 hour flight to Dallas, then settled in for a 8 hour flight into Honolulu, Hawaii. The team stayed in the Courtyard Marriott Waikiki Beach Hotel. Which was a 10 minute walk to the beach strip and beautiful water. The itinerary consisted of visiting the Dimond Head Monument Trail. Where the team took a 30 minute hike up the mountain. Once at the top the view of the entire island made the hike worth it.

Next the team visited USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor National Park. Where they heard the tragic history of everything that happened during and after the Pearl Harbor attack. Before leaving to fly an hour to next island the team spent an evening at Ka Moana Luau where there was a buffet and live entertainment.

Hilo Island

The next morning the flew to Hilo, Hawaii and checked into the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, which was right on the water. There they went on a Volcano National Park Tour. The team also played 2 games while in Hawaii. The first was on Honolulu island at Farrington High School against Hawaii Military Elite. The Coyotes won that game 86-71.

The second game was on Hilo island at Hilo against the D2 University of Hawaii. The Coyotes lost that game 55-83. When the team wasn’t practicing or playing or doing itinerary activities they had down time to do whatever they want. According to Landon Wagler and Jaylen Peterson, down time was spent, “on the beach in the water, walking around the strip in Honolulu, trying new foods, jumping off diving cliffs in Hilo, and just enjoying the nice weather and beautiful environment”. The team last day was December 22nd as they checked out. And flew back home the same way they came.

Thank You Trip

Most of the team had never been to Hawaii at all. However, the whole reason for the trip according to Head Coach Anthony Monson was, “for the seniors to enjoy their last year and give thanks to everything they did these past 3-4 years. And for a low price since each player only had to fundraise $2000 dollars to go.” The program has made winning shift having 3 straight 20+ win seasons. And visiting the NAIA National Tournament 3 straight times.

Coyotes are now 10-10 overall with a 5-9 conference record. As they strive to win the remaining games of the season so make the KCAC playoffs. To hopefully get a chance to win out and make it to the NAIA National Tournament for the 4th straight year. 

Check out another basketball story by Dre Kemp here

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