SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i's four heptathletes achieved a total of 13 personal bests and broke two school records on the first day of the Mondo Multi-Events, Thursday, at Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State.
 
Senior Samantha Balentine surpassed her previous heptathlon Day 1 point total by 81 points, behind her record high jump. The Lodi, Calif., native flew over 6-0.5 (1.84m), breaking the previous UH heptathlon record by more than two inches and a mark that ranks No. 2 all-time in school history. Her jump also ranks fifth nationally as of last week's NCAA rankings and she is second place with her 3,207 Day 1 point total.
 
In her first-ever heptathlon, sophomore Zhane Santiago broke the UH heptathlon record in the 100-meter hurdles (14.06s), a mark that is No. 2 all-time in school history. She posted personal bests in all four events, including clearing 5-0.5 (1.54m) in the high jump; throwing 33-11.25 (10.34m) in the shot; and clocking 26.43 seconds in the 200-meters. Her 2,948 points places her fourth overall.
 
Senior Amanda Alvarez scored 206 more points on her first day than she ever had, scoring 2,882 points and is currently in seventh place. She did so by achieving personal bests in the shot put 33-7.5 (10.25m) and the 200-meters (25.40s). The Vancouver, Wash., native also shaved .60 seconds off her previous 100-meter hurdles time and narrowly missed breaking the school record in the 200-meters.
 
Junior Kaleigh Morrison posted three personal bests in addition to improving her Day 1 point total by 133 points, with a total of 2,858 points, good for eighth place. In the 100-meter hurdles, she ran 15.09 seconds, threw 34-5.75 (10.51m) in the shot, and ran 27.21 seconds in the 200-meters. In addition, her time in the 100 hurdles and her leap in the high jump were Big West qualifying marks. She is now qualified to score points in four events at next month's conference championship.
 
The heptathlon concludes on Friday with the final three disciplines – long jump, javelin, and 800-meter run.