Biola runs away with PacWest crowns

**Biola’s Von Molendorff and Mapes Win Individual Titles, Eagles Take PacWest Cross Country Team Championships**

Biola’s Melt Von Molendorff and Bethany Mapes secured individual titles as the Eagles captured both the men’s and women’s team championships at the PacWest Cross Country Championships held Saturday at Hawaii Country Club.

Von Molendorff completed the men’s 8K course in 24:33.6. Concordia Irvine’s Noah Plaza finished second in 24:44.4, followed closely by teammate Spencer Handorf in third place at 25:02.4. Hawaii Pacific’s top finisher was Aaron Garcia, who placed 53rd with a time of 29:00, while Chaminade’s leading runner, Kalamakua Francisco, came in 58th at 29:37.0.

The Biola men dominated the team standings with 35 points. Hawaii Pacific finished eighth with 252 points, and Chaminade placed tenth and last with 280 points.

In the women’s 6K race, Bethany Mapes crossed the finish line in 21:40.6. Vanguard’s Ella Murray was second in 21:46.4, and Point Loma’s Madeline Reeves took third at 21:46.7. Hawaii Hilo’s top runner, Sequoia Gonzales, finished 12th in 22:19.7. Chaminade’s Nikiji Dayse was 15th with a time of 22:23.7, and Hawaii Pacific’s Carly Dyer placed 54th at 24:23.6.

Biola claimed the women’s team title in the 12-team field with 42 points. Hawaii Hilo took seventh place with 165 points, Chaminade was ninth with 268, and Hawaii Pacific finished 12th with 311 points.

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**UH Hilo Sweeps Westmont; Chaminade Falls in Five Sets**

In women’s volleyball action at Vulcan Gymnasium, Malu Garcia led Hawaii Hilo with 14 kills, while Alohi Garcia added nine, helping the Vulcans sweep Westmont 25-22, 25-23, 25-22. Emerson Reinke recorded 38 assists for Westmont (17-7, 6-2 PacWest). Maddie Finnegan had 10 kills for the Warriors (7-13, 2-5 PacWest).

Meanwhile, Chaminade fought hard against No. 5 Point Loma but ultimately fell in five sets, 25-23, 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-10, at McCabe Gym. Abigail Nua led Point Loma with 20 kills, and Kyra Miles added 13 for the Sea Lions (18-2, 7-0 PacWest). Lillie Hinton posted 16 kills, and Reina Krueger chipped in 13 for the Silverswords (12-12, 6-2).

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**Women’s Basketball Teams Picked at Bottom in PacWest Preseason Coaches Poll**

The Hawaii Hilo, Hawaii Pacific, and Chaminade women’s basketball teams were projected to finish in the bottom three spots of the PacWest standings, according to the Coaches Preseason Poll.

Vanguard leads the poll with 164 points, followed by Point Loma with 147 and Westmont with 145. Hawaii Hilo was picked 11th with 50 points, Hawaii Pacific 12th with 30 points, and Chaminade 13th with 17 points.
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