TULSA, Okla. - The Hawai`i women's track and field team concluded the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships with a school-record sixth place finish, Saturday, at Tulsa's Hurricane Track and Soccer Stadium. The Rainbow Wahine also accumulated a school-record 69 points during the four-day meet, which featured nine women's teams.

In its four previous appearances at the WAC Championships, UH's top finish was eighth (2001) and highest point total was 49 (2002). The team eclipsed both marks with the help of four medalist honors on Saturday, raising their meet total to six, also a new school-record.

"We're very happy about our performance this week and really tired," UH head coach Carmyn James said. "We more than doubled our team score from last year (34) and had a record number of medalists - two silvers and four bronzes."

Louisiana Tech won the women's title with 184 points, easily out-distancing Rice (159), the Day 3 leader. Fresno State (99.5), Nevada (83.5), and UTEP (82) also placed ahead of the Rainbow Wahine.

Two-time reining WAC discus champion junior Novelle Murray finished second in the event after Rice's Krystal Robinson heaved 54.62m (179-2) on her final attempt to win the title. Murray threw 53.19m (174-6), the 11th time she eclipsed the NCAA Regional qualifying standard this season.

"Novelle had one more attempt following (Robinson's) throw but she fouled," James said. "She spun out so fast and fell out of the circle. But she was definitely going for it."

In addition, Murray finished third in the hammer throw after tossing a Regional qualifying mark of 56.21m (184-5). The junior finished as the team's top performer, accumulating 14 team points.

Sophomore Kelly Young competed in two event finals with one medal to show for. A lifetime-best time of 59.62 seconds in the 400m hurdles, earned her a bronze. Young also finished fifth in the 1500m (4:35.27) to gain 10 points toward the team score.

Senior Tasha Monroe participated in two event finals as well on Saturday. The Ontario native, finished sixth in the 400m (55.38) and seventh in the 200m (24.37). During the Championships, Monroe earned 10 team points after placing fourth in the long jump on Friday.

In the pole vault finals, sophomore Patricia Gauthier leaped an NCAA Regional qualifying height of 3.80m (12-5.50) to win the bronze.

Also adding to the team score in their respective events were sophomore Jessica Rohr (5th, 400mH – 1:03.65) and sophomore Dana Buchanan (6th, 1500m – 4:38.64). The 4x100 relay team comprised of Rohr, Candace Rosenthal, Lana Phillips, and Ku'ulei Karratti placed seventh (58.56).

The Rainbow Wahine will take the next week off to prepare for the NCAA West Regionals, May 27-28, in Eugene, Ore. A school-record six UH athletes will be compete in hopes of qualifying for the NCAA Championships, June 8-11, in Sacramento, Calif.

WAC Championships Day 4 Results

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