Hilo, Hawaii – Former University of Hawaii at Hilo softball standout Kristy Odamura has been tabbed as Canada's softball team captain for the 2004 Olympics.

"Odie will be a big key to our team's success in Athens," Canada Head Coach Mike Renney comments. "Her offensive leadership as well as overall leadership as Team Captain will be invaluable."

A 2003 graduate of UH Hilo, this will be her second Olympic appearance. In 2000, she was also a member of Canada's squad which competed in the Sydney, Australia event. She is one of three veterans from the 2000 squad and one of eight selected to the Olympic Softball Team in December 2003.

Odamura was a four-year starter in a Vulcan uniform and collected four National Fastpitch Coaches Association's academic all-American honors and four all-conference awards. She also earned NCAA Division II all-West Region honors in 1999. Odamura is also the only three-time Vulcan Athletics Female Athlete of the Year.

Since picking up the game at age eight, Odamura's climb to the national team captain has been one of constant competition. From 1993-97, her national softball experience culminated with the 1997 Canada Summer games. She got her first taste of international play in 1995 as a member of the team that participated in the Junior Women's ISF World Softball Championships.

For the last six years, Odamura has been a member of the national team that has participated in the Olympic Cup (1999), Olympic Summer Games (2000), Three Nations Challenge (2000, 2001), Pan Am Championship (2001, 2003), Senior Women's ISF World Championships (1998, 2002), US Cup (1999, 2002, 2003), Canada Cup (1998-2003) and the Olympic Regional Qualifier (2003).

She became a certified Athletic Trainer in 2003 and has regularly volunteered her time at UH Hilo.

Odamura's Olympic Schedule	Opponent	Time
Saturday, Aug. 14	Taiwan	4 a.m.
Sunday, Aug. 15	Greece	6:30 a.m.
	China	8:30 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 16	Japan	11 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 18	United States	4 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 19	Australia	6:30 a.m.
	Italy	8:30 a.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21	Semifinals	8:30 a.m.
	Semifinals	11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 22	Bronze Medal	4 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 23	Gold Medal	3 a.m.