HILO, Hawai 'i – Hawai'i Pacific University once again used the top two collegiate cross country runners in the state to win the 2019 Hawai'i Hilo Invitational at the Grand Naniloa Golf Course.
 
Junior Robyn Kaltenbrunn of Johannesburg, South Africa, led the Sharks women by taking the individual title by over a minute, running the 6-kilometer race in 22 minutes, 58.4 seconds. Chaminade's Alena Albertson was second in 24:02.9. Kaltenbrunn paced HPU to 23 points for the team championship, with UH Hilo scoring 56 points for second, edging Chaminade with 58 points in third.
 
Senior Lukas Motschmann of Magdeburg, Germany, picked up his fourth individual title of the season in winning the 8-kilometer race in 25:35.2. HPU beat Chaminade 23-to-36 in the race, as HPU took the top three spots and four of the top five.
 
In addition to Kaltenbrunn's win, the Sharks took the fourth through eighth positions on the women's side. Sophomore Karen Corona Perez of Ocracoke, N.C., placed fourth in a time of 24:28.5, with senior Jasmine Napenas of Wheatland, Calif./Wheatland Union, fifth in 24:40.4. Senior Brooke Gottmeier of Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley, ran sixth in 24:59.6, freshman Sophia Cash of Kamuela, Hawai'i/Honoka'a, seventh in 25:11.2 and freshman McKay Guckenberg of Eureka, Mont./Lincoln County, eighth in 25:15.5. Senior Janice Hata of Kaneohe, Hawai'i/Castle wrapped up the Sharks in 12th at 26:28.9.
 
In the men's race, Motschmann was 55-plus seconds ahead of HPU freshman Jona Bodirsky of Muhlhausen, Germany, in second in 26:27.9. Sophomore David Rutto of Eldoret, Kenya ran third with a 28:01.7 and junior Jason Flores of Beaumont, Calif./Beaumont was fifth in 29:47.5. Junior Cade Harrington of Galveston, Texas/Ball completed the scoring in 12th at 34:00.0.
 
Saturday's competition was the final outing for all three institutions before they visit Fullterton, Calif., on Oct. 26 for the PacWest Conference Championships.