KAHUKU, Hawai'i – The Vulcans were locked in, loaded and ready to go early Saturday morning as the Hawai'i Hilo Women's Cross Country team topped its fellow in-state Division-II squads with a No. 3 overall finish at the season-opening Big Wave Invitational at the Kahuku Golf Course.

Megan Donovan led the team with a No. 13 individual placement at a time of 20 minutes and 47.1 seconds. The former women's soccer player finished as the third Division-II runner just behind Chaminade's Maria Steinke (No. 9) and Nikiji Dyase (No. 12).

Fellow fifth-year senior Isabel Raymond followed shortly behind with a No. 18 finish.

"It's a great start to the season and I'm proud of the team," Vulcans second-year head coach Alan Ryan said. "We did what we expected to do. It wasn't perfect and we got things to work on, but the team did excellent and you can tell. Overall, we're where we should be."

Host UH Manoa took the top spot with a score of 15 after placing nine runners in the top 11. Emile Langschwager earned the individual crown with a time of 18:09.8. University of the Pacific finished as runner-up.

Despite two top-10 finishers, Chaminade's next runner placed No. 26 as the team totaled a 101 score. HPU scored 111 points with its top placement at No. 16.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo will have the next week off from competition before heading back to O'ahu for the Chaminade Invitational at Kapi'olani Regional Park on Sept. 21.

The Vulcans will host their lone meet of the season Saturday morning, Oct. 5 at the Grand Naniloa Resort Banyans Golf Course.