FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Hawai`i track and field athlete Annett Wichmann posted the program's highest individual finish at an NCAA Championship meet since 1984 after a fourth place showing in the pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships Saturday at the University of Arkansas' Randal Tyson Track Center.

Wichmann accumulated a personal-best total of 4,177 points, and used a solid final event 800-meter run to move up from ninth to fourth. Her finish was the best for a Rainbow Wahine since Gwen Loud won the long jump at the 1984 Outdoor Championships.

The Jena, Germany native also set new personal bests in the 60-meter hurdles (8.95) and tied her PR in the high jump (1.75m/5-8.75). In addition, Wichmann established a new pentathlon-event PR in the shot put (14.11m/46-3.5). After the long jump (5.54m/18-2.25) competition, Wichmann stood in ninth place but a solid 2:19.68 finish in the 800-meter vaulted her one spot out of a medal.

"I knew if I did everything I'm capable of doing and put it all together during this competition, I'd put up a good score," Wichmann said. "I was hoping for a top six finish but I didn't expect to place as high as I did. It all came together here today. My long jump wasn't my best effort but I still managed to put together a good score."

Arizona State's Jacquelyn Johnson won the pentathlon with a 4,496 point total. Bettie Wade of Michigan captured silver (4,366) followed by Arizona's Shevell Quinley, who took the bronze.

Wichmann, the two-time reining WAC pentathlon champion, also broke the school record for most appearances at an NCAA Championship meet with four. She is the only Rainbow Wahine to compete at the Indoor Championships, which she placed 11th at last year's meet, and has made two appearances in the heptathlon at the Outdoor Championships.

The meet concludes the indoor season. The Rainbow Wahine outdoor track and field team will open their season at the Hornet Invitational, March. 22, in Sacramento, Calif.

NCAA Indoor Championships Results

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