SACRAMENTO, Calif – The University of Hawai'i track and field squad opened up the Outdoor season on Friday and Saturday with a fourth-place finish at the Sacramento State Hornet Invitational at Hornet Stadium.
 
Extending her strong run over the past two seasons, sophomore high jumper Lily Lowe matched her top 2017 outdoor mark of 5-09.25 (1.76m) to finish second in Sacramento, barely missing the top finish at the same height by BYU's Andrea Stapleton.
 
Making their first appearance of the year, the Rainbow Wahine javelin throwers performed well, led by sophomore Alexis Brenzil, just missing a personal best for third place with a throw of 156-00 (47.55m). Meanwhile, junior Karen Bulger finished fourth at 138-08 (42.58m) and junior Meg Jackson was seventh in her first javelin performance of 132-06 (40.38m). All three hit the qualifying standard for the Big West Championships.
 
Freshman Kristen LaCosse had a strong showing with a pair of BWC qualifying marks, finishing ninth in the long jump at 18-05.75 (5.63m), ahead of Britney Price (15th, 17-05.25/5.31m), and coming in fourth in the 400m hurdles at 1:03.27, debuting in the top 10.
 
The Hawai'i 4x400m relay, composed of Paris Allred, Natasha Currence, LaCosse and Lowe, combined for a time of 3:57.22 to finish fourth.
 
In the throws, Kahili Novikoff reached 149-10 (45.68m) in the hammer throw to finish ninth, while Malissa Humanic was 15th at 139-06 (42.51m). In shot put, Bulger recorded a 10th-place mark of 41-07.25 (12.68m), while Jackson was 11t at 41-05.25 (12.63m).
 
Pole vaulters Nina Bean and Megan Fereira tied for 11th with heights of 11-03.75 (3.45m).
 
The Rainbow Wahine combined to score 61 points and finish fourth. California won the meet with a score of 155.
 
The Rainbow Wahine are back at home in the coming week, as hosts to Nevada and San Jose State in the Rainbow Relays, March 23-24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.