KANEOHE, Oahu - The Hawai`i Pacific men and Brigham Young women captured the Big Wave Cross Country Invitational, Saturday, at the Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course. HPU edged Houston by one point in the 5K men's race while BYU swept the top five spots for the women's 4K title.
Chelsea Smith McKell, a former BYU-Hawai`i runner and two-time NCAA Division II national champion, won her second meet of the season since transferring to the Provo, Utah campus for her senior year. Smith, who captured the women's title last season while representing BYUH, posted a time of 14:25.4. On the men's side, Houston's Sesar Figueroa defended his Big Wave title by crossing the finish line in 15:23.7.
The Rainbow Wahine - the defending women's champion - placed fifth. Junior Sheena Thain was the first UH runner at 18th (15:55.9). Also earning points for UH were junior Michel Wilson (16:25.8, 26th), junior Sharlene Carillo (16:45.1, 30th), freshman McKenzie Wallace (17:26.5, 38th) and freshman Annett Wichman (17:37.7, 39th).
Smith led a Cougar contingent which earned a perfect score of 15 points. Following Smith were Lisa Freschknecht (14.49.4), Ann-Marie Thomas (14:52.8), Jena Taylor (14:53.2), and Allison Passey (14:53.5).
HPU's Jacob Kausen (15:56.3) led the Sea Warriors with a second place finish. HPU placed two other runners in the top 10, Casper Dahl (6th) and Aaron Norton (10th).
Hawai`i next competes in the BYU-Hawai`i Invitational, Sept. 24. The 5K race will be run near the BYUH campus.
Big Wave Invitational Men's Results
Big Wave Invitational Women's Results
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