SEATTLE – The University of Hawai'i cross country team took on its first mainland competition of the 2017 season on Saturday in West Seattle's Lincoln Park, with the Rainbow Wahine finishing ninth overall in the race in the 26th Sundodger Invitational.
 
The La Mesa, Calif. freshman, Sienna Santiago paced the Rainbow Wahine on the course for the second time this month, producing a time of 24:10.11 in her first collegiate 6k race, finishing in 69th.
 
The rest of the scoring group followed in quick succession, with Lisa Tashiro in 70th (24:20.89), Giovanna Casazza in 71st (24:28.70), Piper McDonald in 72nd (24:33.33) and Kai Hoshijo in 75th (25:08.57). Alison Bowman rounded out the UH performers in 78th (26:54.67), while Danielle Girard was unable to finish for the Rainbow Wahine.
 
"Solid efforts today," head coach Tim Boyce said. "Kai was our only returner from the meet last year. Danielle was leading us through two miles but dropped out with a foot injury. We will work to build on this first mainland meet."
 
Hawai'i finished ninth with a score of 272, averaging 24:32.32 per runner.
 
The Rainbow Wahine will return to competition on the mainland on Sept. 30, taking on the Charles Bowles Invitational, hosted by Willamette next Saturday in Salem, Ore.