SALEM, Ore. - The University of Hawai`i women's cross country team completed its first mainland meet of the season with a respectable 11th place showing at the Charles Bowles Invitational, Saturday morning, at Bush Park. Junior Chantelle Laan was the team's top finisher at 28th place overall and completed the 5K course in 18:22.

The Rainbow Wahine, which had won their previous three local meets, accumulated 306 points, among the 22 Division I and junior college programs. More than 250 athletes competed in the Gold Division.

"I was quite pleased with our performance," head coach Carmyn James said. "Although we had a win streak snapped, the girls ran favorably and posted good times."

Freshman Tava Tedesco finished second on the team and 67th overall with a time of 19:12, just ahead of senior Sharlene Carillo (19:25, 77th). Also scoring points for the Rainbow Wahine were senior Michel Wilson (20:46, 124th) and junior Annett Wichmann (20:53, 129th).

Two other UH harriers competed - sophomore McKenzie Wallace (21:43, 151st) and freshman Megan Chock (22:13, 167th).

Oregon State won the team title with 40 points followed by a pair of Western Athletic Conference members Boise State (120) and Idaho (121). Idaho's Dee Olsen, the reining WAC cross country champion who ran unattached, captured the individual title in a time of 17:01.

The Rainbow Wahine will take next week off before returning to the course at the Santa Clara Invitational, Saturday, Oct. 14.

Charles Bowles Invitational Results

-UH-