[HAWAII] Kalani High School’s remarkable comeback in Saturday’s Hawaii High School Athletic Association boys final was marred by tragedy as the mother ofDivision I leading scorer Leo Klink was stricken with a brain hemorrhage. Hiroyo Klink left Oahu’s WaipioPeninsula Soccer Complex in an ambulance in the second half without telling her son of his situation.
Leo Klink, who twice brought Kalani back from one-goal deficits in regulation, went onto score the winning goal in the shootout as the Falcons beat Punahou, 3-2. After the game, Klink joined his mother at Kaiser Moanalua Hospital, where she died on Tuesday.
PaulKlink, Hiroyo’s husband, had noticed she looked dizzy and was dragging her left side as she walked down the bleachers during the game. He asked to smile and saw the left side of her facewas unresponsive. Emergency personnel were called to the field.
“The athletic director asked, ‘Should we tell Leo’ and she said ‘No, I don’t want to tell him’ and then Paul Klink said,’Definitely don’t tell him’,” Kalani coach Michael Ching
Ching did not tell his star, who wasnamed the tournament MVP, and pained over the decision to have him take what turned out to be the winning penalty kick. His teammates, also unaware of what was going on, insisted Leo take the shot.
“Since we’re so close, it would devastate our soccer family,” he added. “We didn’t know Hiroyo’s condition, and that is why I chose not to tell him.”
DIVISION II. Goals from Tanner Henry and Michael Alonzo gave Kapa’a a 2-1 win overMid-Pacific.
My sympathies to the Klink family and the Kalani High School team on the loss of Mrs. Klink. Congratulations on their win, and may their families and friends support them in the difficult ties ahead.
Difficult TIMES ahead (sorry!)