SALEM, Ore. - The University of Hawai'i women's cross country team placed seventh overall among more than 20 NCAA Division I schools at the Charles Bowles Willamette Invitational Saturday morning at Bush Park. Senior Chantelle Wilder was the team's top finisher for the fourth time this season, placing ninth, in the team's first mainland competition of the year.

Wilder led an eight-member UH contingent with a personal best time of 17:43, nearly 40 seconds better than her performance on the same 5K course last year. In fact, all eight runners recorded PRs, including Annett Wichmann, who knocked off more than a minute, completing the race in 20:46 to finish 106th.

Other UH participants who scored team points included Samantha Lotnick (19:18, 62nd), Jessi Locke (19:22, 66th) and Brianna Goodnight (20:35, 100th). Also competing were Mallory Kurosumi (20:48, 110th), Anna Schleuter (21:08, 120th), and Shannon Dresser (21:50, 137th).

Idaho won the Gold Division title with 26 points. Former UH athlete Dana Buchanan, who was running unattached, won the individual title in a time of 17:15.

The Rainbow Wahine return home and will next compete in the Hawai'i Pacific Invitational, Saturday, Oct. 6.

-UH-