LAIE, O'ahu - The University of Hawai'i women's cross country team opened the 2007 season with a third place finish at the Brigham Young-Hawai'i Invitational, Saturday, on the BYUH grass course. Individually, senior Chantelle Wilder defended her title and won for the fifth time in her career, pacing the field on the 5K course at 18:40.

Wilder, formerly Chantelle Laan, won three titles last year including the BYUH Invitational. The London, Ontario native broke away from the field at 4K mark for the victory.

Sophomore Tava Tedesco placed fifth overall at 19:47 followed by Jessica Locke (20:23, 10th), Samantha Lotnick (20:57, 16th), and Shannon Dresser (23:32, 24th). UH's McKenzie Wallace took a spill near the 1K mark and did not finish.

As a team, the Rainbow Wahine placed third overall with 56 points behind champion Hawai'i-Hilo (46 pts.) and host BYUH (53 pts.). On a side note, Wilder's brother, Brandon Laan, captured the men's title for Hawai'i Pacific.

UH will next compete at the Chaminade Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 15, also at the BYUH grass course.

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