Albuquerque, N.M.—The University of Hawai'i track and field team returned to action for the first time in over a month with the MLK Invitational hosted by the University of New Mexico at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday.
 
The Rainbow Wahine turned in several strong individual performances beginning the day, with sophomore Helen Hoadley placing fourth in the pole vault with a mark of 3.85m (12' 7.5), giving her a new personal best while placing her at No. 4 all-time in the UH record book.
 
Freshman Tara Wyllie made her season debut as she was recently added to the roster after the holiday break. In her first meet, she has already made an impact as her distance ranks No. 7 at UH all-time. The Canberra, Australia, native recorded a mark of 11.87m (38' 11.5) on her sixth and final triple jump attempt, outdoing her third attempt of 1.77m.
 
Entering the meet, junior Alyssa Mae Antolin was pinned as one to watch throughout, and she stood out in the 60-meter dash. She made her way into the prelims, registering a time of 7.65, placing at 27^th overall.
 
Sophomore Lilian Turban adjusted to the three-hour time difference between Honolulu and Albuquerque, competing in the high jump at essentially 5 a.m. Hawai'i time and still placed fourth overall. Freshman Catherine Touchette joined her in the event, notching a personal best in the event at 1.60m (5'3).
 
The 'Bows split their relay team into two for the 4 x 400, finishing at eighth and ninth. Squad A consisted of junior Gianna Scruggs, sophomores Sammie Gordon and Carlin McFadden, along with Touchette for a finishing time of 3:59.52. Squad B consisted of senior Nikki Jennings, juniors Amy Warrington and Anna Marx, and freshman Kristin Cook as they crossed the finish line at 4.00.69.
 
Rounding out the day was graduate Victoria Solheim in the shot put. Solheim finished 11^th overall but recorded a personal best in the event with a distance of 13.51m (44' 4).
 
UH will now look towards the future with one more indoor event before the MPSF Championships. They'll return to Seattle, Washington, on February 3^rd and 4^th for the WSU Open/Invitational, competing in the same venue as the Spokane Invitational from mid-December.