NAMPA, Idaho - University of Hawai'i sophomore Emily Sheppard won gold in the high jump on the first day of the Western Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship, Friday, at Jackson's Track. The Rainbow Wahine are currently in fourth place entering Saturday's final day of competition.

Sheppard leaped a school-record 5-9.75 to capture top individual honors and earn 10 team points. Freshman Amber Kaufman, competing in her first ever indoor event, finished in a five-way tie for second at 5-8.5 along with senior Mallory Gilbert. However based on a tie-breaking procedure, Kaufman earned five team points while Gilbert finished with 3.5.

Sheppard previously held the UH record of 5-8.5 set this season at the Husky Classic.

Two more UH athletes scored team points in the shot put. Annett Wichmann finished sixth with a personal best throw of 47-1 while Meghan Weaver was seventh at 44-10.25.

Sophomore Thalia Amanakis set two personal bests and one school record. Her mark of 8.89 seconds in the 60-meter dash, broke the previous mark set by Wichmann earlier this season. In the 400-meter dash, Amanakis ran a personal-best 57.80 seconds but did not qualify for Saturday's event finals.

Freshman Tava Tedesco capped off an outstanding first day for the Rainbow Wahine by eclipsing her personal best in the 5000-meter run (18:26.96) by more than 30 seconds and earned one team point.

After day one, UH sits in fourth place with 25.5 points behind Cal State Northridge (53), Boise State (38), and Louisiana Tech (37).

In all, UH set 12 personal bests and two school records on the day.

The WAC Indoor Championship concludes on Sunday. The Rainbow Wahine are looking to best last year's record team performance of 52 points.

WAC Indoor Championship Live Results

-UH-