KAHUKU, O’ahu – The Hawai’i women’s cross country team dominated the season-opening Big Wave Invitational at Kahuku Golf Course Saturday, claiming the top seven spots to run away with a third straight win in the event.
 
The Rainbow Wahine posted a perfect 15-point total while UH runners took 10 of the top 11 spots led by freshman Jessica Duran, who took home the victory in her first collegiate race with a time of 18:46.10. Emilie Kirk Langschwager followed close behind in second with a mark of 18:51.10 while Zola O’Donnell came in third with a 19:19.00. Another true freshman, Abby Crossley, came in fourth in 19:25.30 with Keilah Wilkes right on her heels with a 19:26.60 to round out the scorers for the Rainbow Wahine.

“Excellent running today by our squad across the board,” said head coach Tim Boyce. “Jessica and Emilie set a strong pace from the front and led us to a positive finish on our home course. Thirteen runners represented UH for the first time this morning, and all 15 gave great efforts.”

 

Graduate transfer Nathania Tan took sixth place with a time of 19:42.80 in her UH debut while Breea Selbrede completed the No. 1-7 sweep with a time of 20:21.90 in her first collegiate race.

 

Duran and Langschwager set the pace early on as the two broke away from the pack after the first 1000m, before Duran created a little separation down the home stretch to finish off the win. A pack of three Rainbow Wahine made up of O’Donnnell, Crossley and Wilkes followed, with O’Donnell also pulling away late in the race to come in third while Crossley edged out Wilkes down the stretch to take fourth.

 

Hawai’i will return to action Sept. 16 with the Chaminade Invitational at Kapi’olani Park.

 

Rainbow Wahine Results

 

1. Jessica Duran – 18:46.10

2. Emilie Kirk Langschwager – 18:51.10

3. Zola O’Donnell – 19:19.00

4. Abby Crossley – 19:25.30

5. Keilah Wilkes – 19:26.60

6. Tania Tan – 19:42.80

7. Breea Selbrede – 20:21.90

9. Rosalie Michot – 20:35.70

10. Ania Magdesian – 20:48.10

11. Alexandra Zanon – 21:00.80

13. Nicole Sevcikova – 21:18.70

17. Alizee Garcia Parsons – 21:35.00

19. Savannah Mellott – 21:54.20

21. Melanie Pakingan – 22:29.60

26. Kacey Miura – 23:27.50

 

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