KANE`OHE, Hawai`i -- Five BYU runners claimed the Nos. 2-6 spots as the women's cross country team ran to a first-place finish at the Big Wave Invitational on Saturday in Hawai`i.
"I'm very pleased with how they ran," BYU coach Patrick Shane said. "We ran together as a group very well today. I feel like we accomplished the goals we set for the week."
Despite traveling with a limited squad to Hawai`i to rest for the Bill Dellinger Invitational next weekend, the Cougars scored 20 points, defeating San Diego State (64), Hawai`i (117), Hawai`i-Hilo (125), BYU-Hawai`i (134), Saint Mary's (162), Hawai`i Pacific (164) and Chaminade (268).
BYU's top runner, Cecily Lemmon, a redshirt freshman from Vacaville, Calif., finished in second place in 14:39 behind Hawai`i runner Chantele Wilder at 14:34.
"Cecily Lemmon ran quite well considering the fact that she was sick all week," Shane said.
Lemmon felt rested because she was forced to stay inside and sleep much the day before the race. She also credited her team's ability to stay together throughout the race.
"It made all the difference," Lemon said of her team's bunch running style. "I know that if I hadn't had the support of the team, my race wouldn't have ended up like it did."
The Cougars will look to continue their winning ways as they head to one of the most competitive races of the season in Oregon. The Bill Dellinger Invitational will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29.
"It's a very competitive meet and the level of competition will be exceptionally high," Shane said. "By beating ranked teams we would enhance our chances of qualifying for nationals."
Big Wave Cross Country Invitational
Saturday Sept. 22 2007
Klipper Golf Course
Kaneohe, Oahu Hawai`i
Women's 4K
1st BYU Provo 20
2nd SDSU 60
3rd Hawai`i-Manoa 104
4th BYU Hawai`i 119
5th Hawai`i-Hilo 125
6th St. Mary's 137
7th Hawai`i-Pacific 141
Place Name, Team, Points, Team, Place, Time
1st Chatelle Wilder, UH Manoa, 1, 1, 14:34
2nd Cecily Lemmon, BYU Provo, 2, 1, 14:39
3rd Anna Sperry, BYU Provo, 3, 2, 14:44
4th Tawny Bybee, BYU Provo, 4, 3, 14:48
5th Wendy Harris, BYU Provo, 5, 4, 15:00
6th Carolyn Quebe, BYU Provo, 6, 5, 15:02
7th Carlee Clark-Platt, BYU Provo, 7, 6, 15:07
8th Lisa Naucler, SDSU, 8, 1, 15:13
9th Heidi Houle, BYU, Provo, 9, 7, 15:19
10th Karrie Hagedorn, St. Mary's, 10, 1, 15:23
11th Jessica Hauser, BYU Provo, 0, 8, 15:28