HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i cross country team will make its first departure from O'ahu on Saturday, but not for a journey to the mainland. Rather, the Rainbow Wahine will be competing in the UH Hilo Invitational for the first time since 2013.
 
Under fourth-year cross country coach, the Rainbow Wahine will travel a six-runner squad to the Big Island and Naniloa Golf Course in northeast Hilo.
 
The Rainbow Wahine are coming off a second-place finish as hosts of last week's 17th Big Wave Invitational in Kahuku. Junior Danielle Girard led UH with a fifth-place finish in her first NCAA race, while three additional runners finished in the top 10 – sophomore Lisa Tashiro (8th), freshman Sienna Santiago (9th) and junior Giovanna Casazza (10th).
 
In addition, junior Kai Hoshijo and sophomore Piper McDonald will travel to Hilo. Last week, McDonald was 17th, while Hoshijo was 21st.
 
In the last UH trip to the Vulcans' course, the Rainbow Wahine finished third behind Caitlyn Foss' fifth-place finish.
 
2017 Meet #2
What: UH Hilo Invitational
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9
Time: 7:30 a.m. (women)
Where: Naniloa Golf Course; Hilo, Hawai'i 
UH Student-Athletes Competing: Giovanna Casazza, Danielle Girard, Kai Hoshijo, Piper McDonald, Sienna Santiago, Lisa Tashiro