FRESNO, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i women's track and field team capped its most successful showing at the Western Athletic Conference Championship with a sixth place finish, Saturday, at Fresno State's Warmerdam Field. The Rainbow Wahine accumulated 97 points and took home a total of six medals during the four-day meet.

Novelle Murray, who captured a bronze in the shot put on Friday, dominated the throwing events with a gold in the discus and silver in the hammer. The senior from Surrey, British Columbia, started the day with a personal-best throw of 196-1 (59.76m) in the hammer. She followed that with her third career gold in the discus after a huge personal-best heave of 185-2 (56.44m). That discus mark ranks as the second best in the country.

During her career, Murray won nine WAC medals during both the indoor and outdoor seasons, including four golds.

The Rainbow Wahine picked up 21 team points in the high jump competition, with Emily Sheppard and Mallory Gilbert finishing 1-2. Sheppard defended her WAC title with a jump of 5-8.75 (1.75m) and won the tie-breaker over Gilbert, who matched that height. Annett Wichmann finished sixth at 5-5 (1.65m).

Thalia Amanakis scored points for UH in both the 100- and 400-meter hurdles. The sophomore from Sydney, Australia, placed fourth in the 100- finals with a personal-best 14.13 seconds. Moments later, she clocked in at 1:02.60 in the 400- finals to finish fourth.

Freshman Alana Faagai and Meghan Weaver combined with Murray to score 17 team points in the discus. Faagai placed fifth with a throw of 149-3 (45.50m) while Weaver was sixth at 147-2 (44.85m).

Middle distance runners Sharlene Carillo and Ashley Monfort scored points in the 800-meter run. Carillo finished seventh, clocking in at 2:16.13 while Monfort was right behind at 2:18.88.

Louisiana Tech won the women's team title with 162 points followed by Nevada (123), Idaho (121), Boise State (116.5), Utah State (97.5), Hawai`i (97), Fresno State (82) and New Mexico State (20).

During the four-day meet, the Rainbow Wahine captured six medals; three gold, two silver, and one bronze. UH tied its highest finish at WAC Outdoor Championship with the 2005 squad which accumulated 69 points and six medals.

The Rainbow Wahine will next compete in the NCAA West Regionals, May 25-26, in Eugene, Ore. UH will send a school-record seven athletes to the meet.

WAC Outdoor Championship Final Results

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