HONOLULU - University of Hawai`i sophomore Annett Wichmann rallied in the final two events to win the heptathlon at the Western Athletic Conference Championship, Thursday, at Cooke Field. Wichmann trailed Utah State's Lacey Hulbert through the first five events and capped her record-breaking point total with a thrilling home stretch in the 800m.

Wichmann totaled a school-record 5,374 points to likely secure a spot in the NCAA Championship in Sacramento, Calif. Hulbert finished second with 5,304 points and should also earn a spot to the NCAA Championship.

The Jena, Germany native took the lead from Utah State's Lacey Hulbert after the javelin. She threw a season-best 141-3 and made up a 200 point difference from Hulbert, who had won four of the first five heptathlon events. With a 26-point lead heading into the 800m, Wichmann and Hulbert were neck and neck with the lead until the home stretch, which the Rainbow Wahine pulled away to win in a time of 2:23.01.

If Wichmann advances to the NCAA Championship, she will be the first Rainbow Wahine to do so since Cheryl Smith competed in the 10,000m in 2001.

Hulbert built her lead after the long jump with a leap of 18-4. Wichmann finished second with a jump of 17-6.5.

UH's Mallory Gilbert placed fifth with a personal-best 4,376 points. The Clovis, Calif., native placed fifth in the long jump (17-2.75), second in the javelin (113-9) and ninth in the 800m (2:47.21).

The WAC Championship continues on Friday and Saturday with a full day of events.

WAC Championship Day 2 Results

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