NIPOMO, Calif. – The Hawai'i women's cross country team began postseason competition Friday morning with an eighth-place finish at the Big West Championships, led by freshman Emilie Kirk Langschwager's top-25 finish.
 
"Great job today by the youngest team by far in the race," said head coach Tim Boyce. "The 'Bows competed really hard and we are super proud of their efforts this morning. This group has a bright future ahead of them in The Big West, and today was a great learning opportunity as to what it will take to be a top level team."
 
One of six freshman competing for the Rainbow Wahine, Langschwager came in 25th in the women's 6k race with a time of 21:53.0, turning in the highest finish by a UH runner at the Big West Championships since 2016. The freshman from Denmark held strong in the top 25 for the entire race and ended as UH's top finisher for her fourth straight meet.
 
Two more true freshmen followed Langschwager, as Mililani graduate Zola O'Donnell ran a 22:43.1 to come in 48th in her first conference championship meet while Abby Crossley placed 53rd with a mark of 22:49.2. Keilah Wilkes followed right behind Crossley in 54th with a time of 22:51.8 while another freshman, Jessica Duran, rounded out the UH scorers with a 58th-place finish in 22:59.4.
 
Cal Poly claimed the Big West team title while UC Davis' Sierra Atkins won the individual crown.
 
The Rainbow Wahine return home before getting ready to compete in the NCAA West Regionals on Nov. 10 in Sacramento, Calif.
 
Rainbow Wahine Results
 
8. Hawai'i – 231 pts.
25. Emilie Kirk Langschwager – 21:53.0
48. Zola O'Donnell – 22:43.1
53. Abby Crossley – 22:49.2
54. Keilah Wilkes – 22:51.8
58. Jessica Duran – 22:59.4
60. Tania Tan – 23:04.3
67. Alizee Garcia Parsons – 23:24.9
79. Melanie Pakingan – 25:59.4