NORTHRIDGE, CALIF. - The University of Hawai`i women's track and field team got some strong showings at the Cal State Northridge Invitational yesterday in the distance events.

Individually, Rainbow Wahine newcomer Alethe West captured the women's 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:32.80 some seven seconds ahead of the second-place finisher Elaine Canchola of Wisconsin. UH's Casey McGuire-Turcotte was a very close third just missing the sprint to the finish line and coming in less than one second behind Canchola.

Other UH finishers in the 1,500 were Jennifer Crumley (13th, 5:06.53), Teryn Bentley (14th, 5:09.11), Sara Verga (20th, 5:19.93), and Brittany Keith (21st, 5:20.30).

Also individually, UH runners got some experience in the high hurdles as Lana Phillips, Sadie Martin, and Kira Lee participated in the 100-meter event. Phillips posted a time of 17.37 seconds placing 12th, followed by teammates Martin (13th, 17.89) and Lee (14th, 18.08).

The Rainbow Wahine's strongest events were the 4x800-meter relay and the women's distance medley.

Hawai`i took home first place in each of those events.

In the 4x800, UH edged out Cal State Northridge with a time of 9.16.87, about four seconds ahead of the Matadors. UH also formed a "B" and "C" team that came in fourth (9:52.54) and sixth (10:29.57), respectively.

The Rainbow Wahine also were victorious in the distance medley winning with a time of 12:16.43, again coming in about eight seconds ahead of the host Matadors.

UH's also entered a "B" and "C" team that came in third (13:11.60) and fifth (13:49.41), respectively.