SALEM, ORE. - The University of Hawai`i women's cross country squad took 12th place among the 19-team field this morning in the 29th Annual Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational (5km) at Bush Park.

Freshman Dana Buchanan led the way for the Rainbow Wahine as she came in 36th place (18:16.90) among the 184 total runners. Teammate Chantelle Laan came in 47th (18:28.82) overall.

The other Top 3 scorers for UH were Monica Su (89th, 19:04.72), Kelly Young (98th, 19:08.96), and Robin McRobbie (116th, 19:24.01).

"Our freshman are doing extremely well with five of the top six in the scoring," Carmyn James, head UH cross country coach said.

UH entered a total of nine runners. The four non-scoring runners this morning were Sharlene Carillo (118th, 19:29.42), Jennifer Bell (119th, 19:31.46), Shayne Enright (137th, 20:15.84), and Carolyn Berger (140th, 20:25.52).

Capturing the women's title was Marquette with 50 points, followed by Western Athletic Conference rival Nevada (52), Portland (121), UC Davis (141), and Santa Clara (176), rounding out the TOp 5 spots.

Nearly 1300 participants, including men and women forming 63 teams from 12 states and Canada. There were 27 teams nationally ranked for NCAA D-1, D-2, D-3, NAIA, and NJCAA (Junior Colleges).

Hawai`i is on the road again next week in Tempe, Ariz, for the Arizona State (5k) Invitational.