KAHUKU, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Pacific University opened the 2017 Cross Country season with a strong performance at the University of Hawai'i's Big Wave Invitational.
 
The Sharks men were nearly perfect in winning the men's race, while the HPU women placed third behind Division I Pacific (Calif.) and UH.
 
"Our goal was to get the season started with a strong showing against our Hawai'i conference teams and we did that well today," Sgambati said. "I'm impressed with our newest additions to the team and know they will contribute greatly to our team this season."
 
The Shark men just missed out on a perfect score in the 5K dual with Chaminade, taking six of the top seven places to score 18 points to the Silverswords 41.  Junior transfer Amos Kipchumba of Kapsowar, Kenya / Tamik Boys HS via Alaska Anchorage, crossed the line first overall in a time of 16:37. Sophomore Matt Whitworth of Pauling, N.Y., a transfer from Niagara, was second in a time of 16:46. HPU scored in the fourth through sixth spots with Jimmy Chagoya of Waukegan, Ill., placing fourth in 17:22, Jason Flores of Beaumont, Calif., in fifth at 17:54 and Julian Lazcon of Waukegan, Ill., in sixth at 17:54. Joseph Chagoya of Waukegan, Ill., was seventh in a non-scoring time of 18:02.
 
"The men's team executed our strategic plan perfectly today, running negative splits while paired up," Sgambati said, "They showed great strength at the start of the season, and I'm excited for some of our bigger races this season."
 
On the women's side, HPU was third with 50 points, one point behind second place and host Hawai'i with 49 points behind sophomore Brooke Gottmeier who ran fourth individually.
 
Gottmeier of Fairbanks, Alaska and a transfer from UAF, covered the 5K course in 19:37, finishing fourth behind a trio of Pacific runners including winner Jazmine Gonzales who crossed in 19:32. Gottmeier held her own in the tight lead pack of five until the last quarter mile.

Sophomore transfer, Brooke Gottmeier, led the HPU women's team to a 3rd place finish, just 1 point behind host school University of Hawaii.  In a race that was a tight pack of 5 until the last quarter mile, Gottmeier took 4^th overall. 
 
"Brooke worked really hard this summer and has been a great addition to our women's team. She ran a very strong race," Sgambati said.
 
Senior Kim Carter of Danville, Ill., finished in the top 10, placing seventh with a time of 20:07. Freshman Amber Boettiger of Houston, Texas/St. Agnes Academy, was 11th in 20:31, just ahead of senior Allison Carone of Reston, Va./South Lakes who ran 12th in 20:32. Junior Jessica Suriano of Bondi Beach, Australia, wrapped up the scoring for HPU in 16th in 20:41.
 
Also running for the Sharks were Jordyn DiLorenzo who placed 18th in 21:08, Hanna Nason who was 24th in 21:39, and Janice Hata who was 31st overall in 24:11.
 
The Sharks return to action next Saturday on the Big Island where both the women and men look to defend their titles in the UH Hilo Invitational.