Ho defends Hawaii
with win

If Iolani Invitational organizers were looking for someone who can beat Hawaii Baptist's Lauren Ho, they might want to expand their meet next year.

Ho, a junior, beat Amanda Patterson of Midlothian (Va.) by 2 seconds to win the Iolani Invitational at Kualoa Ranch yesterday.

The meet brings together more than 1,000 runners from high school programs in four states.

Ho ran the 5-kilometer course in 19 minutes, 59 seconds to beat Patterson by 2 seconds.

Iolani senior Nicole Anderson was third in 20:22, giving Hawaii two of the top three runners.

Hawaii's boys were not as impressive as its girls, as only Jeremy Kamaka'ala of Kamehameha finished among the top 18.

Iolani was the first local team in the team standings, taking seventh in both races. Snohomish (Wash.) won both overall team titles.

Jordan McNamara of Auburn (Wash.) Riverside won the boys varsity race in 16:39.