L-R Baylei Furman, Justice Valdez, head coach Connor Artigue, Kalea Ajel
Sharks Weekly Season Premiere: Spotlight on HPU Women’s Soccer
HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED AUGUST 28, 2025
The 2025 season of Sharks Weekly kicks off with an inside look at the Hawai‘i Pacific University Women’s Soccer program. Hosted by Bailey Furman, HPU’s Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communications and Sports Information Director, the season premiere highlights the energy and excitement surrounding the Sharks this fall.
This week’s guests include new women’s soccer head coach Connor Artigue and senior team leaders Justice Valdez and Kalea Ajel. Together, they reflect on the team’s recent exhibition match against Division I South Dakota State, discuss the talented new coaching staff, and share how they’re preparing for the season ahead.
Coach Artigue outlines his vision for building a positive, competitive team culture grounded in togetherness, respect, and “we greater than me” mentality. Seniors Justice and Kalea also open up about their leadership roles, their academic pursuits in public health and psychology, and favorite memories from their time with the program.
The episode also explores the Sharks’ team bonding activities, their natural competitiveness, and strategies for their upcoming matches at Cal Poly Humboldt and beyond. Coach Artigue shares his enthusiasm for strengthening the team’s offensive play following a defense-focused exhibition debut, while the team looks ahead to a challenging three-game road trip and the highly competitive PacWest Conference schedule.
Campbell champion Brayden Medeiros begins next chapter at Valley City State
Brayden Medeiros' final two passes in a Campbell uniform could hardly have scripted a better ending. Both were touchdowns. The first, a 55-yard strike to Lathaniel Teleaai, gave the Sabers breathing room in the Open Division state championship game. The second, a...
Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Begins New Era as Joshua Walker Leads First Official Practice
HONOLULU – A new chapter officially began for the University of Hawaiʻi women's volleyball program on Thursday as first-year head coach Joshua Walker led the Rainbow Wahine through their first official practice of the 2026 season. Just weeks after...
Moanalua Football looking to turn continuity into playoff berth in 2026
SALT LAKE — A year ago, Keone Batoon inherited Moanalua's football program just weeks before the start of the season. The late-June hiring left little time to install systems or establish the culture he envisioned, but the Na Menehune still...
Hawaii football training camp Day 1 notes, quotes and observations
HONOLULU – Off and running in the sun. Day 1 of the University of Hawai’i football team’s training camp brought plenty of juice, getting active on Wednesday as the Rainbow Warriors open a season with championship aspirations and big expectations...
Three questions as Hawaii football opens up training camp
HONOLULU – Welcome to Year 5 of the Timmy Chang era. After the best season since the 2019 run to the Mountain West championship game, the University of Hawai’i football program enters the 2026 campaign with expectations to compete for a conference...
Damien Monarchs chasing elusive state football title despite challenges
KALIHI — Few football programs in Hawaiʻi have been more consistent in recent years than Damien, but the Monarchs are still searching for the one accomplishment that has eluded them. Damien has captured three consecutive ILH Division I...
Former Sydney Kings wing Lueth Awan finds home with Hawai’i
HONOLULU – Going down under to fill up the seats. The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball dipped into the NBL to continue finishing out the 2026-27 roster, gaining the commitment of former Sydney Kings G Lueth Awan on Tuesday morning. The...
Five players to watch for on fresh-faced HPU squad
HONOLULU – Success and the winds of change. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team claimed a spot in the NCAA Tournament (Division II) for the third time in program history last season, capping off a thrilling campaign that began with...
Waipahu Marauders ready for another Division I title chase
WAIPAHU — The end of the 2025 season for the Waipahu football team was not something to be proud of. The Marauders looked every bit like a championship contender after racing to a 6-1 start, but injuries and inconsistency derailed the second half...
Campbell embraces championship expectations after breakthrough title run
EWA BEACH — For the first time in program history, Campbell enters a football season as the team everyone else is chasing. The Sabers' improbable run to the 2025 Open Division state championship transformed Campbell from a postseason Cinderella...