HONOLULU – Former University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine water polo player and swimmer Lauren Cheape was crowned Miss Hawai'i in the 65^th Annual Miss Hawai'i Pageant held at the Hawai'i Convention Center Saturday. 

Cheape, who competed under the title of Miss East Oahu, beat out 11 competitors in the contest. She veered from the norm in the talent competition when she performed a jump rope routine to Jerry Lee Lewis' rock n' roll classic, "Great Balls of Fire." Cheap also won the awards for Community Service and Best Swimsuit.  

Cheape prepped at Mililani High School before becoming a two-sport athlete at the University of Hawai'i. She majored in film at UH and will represent Hawai'i in the Miss America competition next year in Las Vegas. 

Shannon Dresser, another former Rainbow Wahine athlete, was first runner up. Dresser, who competed as Miss Garden Isle, ran both cross country and track for the University of Hawai'i. She was also a feature baton twirler for the UH Marching Band, and will assume the Miss Hawai'i title if Cheape becomes Miss America.