KAHUKU, O'ahu – The University of Hawai'i cross country team ended its 659 day hiatus from competition with a resounding meet win at the 20th Big Wave Invitational on Saturday. Led by junior Sophia Morgan, the Rainbow Wahine won the meet with 24 total points with all five scoring individuals finishing in the top eight.
 
"I am very pleased with how the team executed their race plan today," head coach Tim Boyce said. "Happy for such a positive first meet after a long layoff for our cross country team.  Today was the first UH XC race for six of our 10 runners. Hats off to Soph for her win to lead many great performances."
 
Hawai'i started strong, sending four of the first six runners across the first mile mark in a tight bunch, led by junior Caelan Miller.
 
Miller led the Rainbow Wahine for 4,200 meters of the 5,000-meter race before Morgan made her move and didn't relinquish the lead, finishing in a time of 19 minutes, 19.56 seconds. Miller finished fourth in a time of 19:53.92 and redshirt junior Olivia Hill rounded out the top five with a 19:55.83 time.
 
Pacific finished runner-up as a team and placed the second and third-place individuals, scoring 42 points for the meet.
 
Hawai'i Pacific finished third, Hawai'i Hilo finished third and Chaminade rounded out the women's field.
 
Making her Rainbow Wahine debut, Ellis Collins finished sixth in a time of 20:05.99 and making her collegiate debut, Sam North posted a 20:13.93 time.
 
Sophomore Sophia Lodigiani led a pack of four-straight UH finishers of freshmen Sacia Ashe, Audrey O'Malley and Becca Bodine.