Lisa Misipeka was named NCAA Female Athlete of the Year for the State of South Carolina, where she was also named NCAA Division I All-American a school record 12 times in the Hammer;Discus and Shot Put. Graduating in 1998 after being named to the NCAA Div I Academic All-American. She was the first American Samoan athlete to win a gold medal in any South Pacific Games. Lisa not only won the first two gold medals in track and field at the SPG, she blew away the competition in Power Lifting. In the four events she entered ended with 3 Gold, in the Hammer(SPG Record); Shot Put(SPG Record); Power Lifting(SPG Record) and a Silver in the Discus. Currently Lisa has improved her world ranking from number 15 in 1998 to being the first American samoan to be in the Top Ten in the World. You can look up Lisa's accomplishment on the International Amateur Athletic federation (IAAF) website at www.iaaf.org Also rising on the track scene is Ms. Seilala Sua of UCLA who competes for the USA. She was the first Junior Olympic chmapion in the Discus and is the number one ranking Discuss thrower in the NCAA Division I. Both of these Athletes are perfect role models as they are not only "World class" athletes but they are Academic All-American at respected academic programs.

Beatrice Faumuina is the new era hero. She is World Chmapion and all three are preparing for the World championships in Seville, Spain this August as Beatrice will be defending her World Champion title in the Discus along with Seilala who is still attending UCLA and specializes in the Discus. while Lisa who attended the 1995 IAAF World Championship in Track & Field in Gottenborg Sweeden as a young 19 year old will try to continue to defy all odds and the critics who say she is too short and try to medal in the Hammer throw. Lisa is the daughter of Kalani HS All-State Running Back Fancy Misipeka, originally from Fagatogo, American Samoa and Barbara Misipeka. They currently reside in Temecula, California.

Submitted by:

Don Fuimaono Lutu
PRESIDENT, AMERICAN SAMOA TRACK & FIELD ASSOCIATION
ASNOC SENIOR BOARD MEMBER