2004 Iolani Invitational
The Island Paradise comes alive for cross-country teams!

Runners stream along like ants during the first mile as a majestic backdrop takes shape.
The Iolani course (pronounced 'eee-oh-lonnie', by the way) is quite competitive along the
final two miles, as repeated mountain-loop climbs are segmented by challenging stretches
around the mountain partway up the incline. Come ready for a true strength test, or you
might as well save yourself the strain and stay on the beach sipping on pineapple juice!

COURSE RECORDHOLDERS (new course, since 2002)
 
Carl Moe (Auburn Riverside HS, WA) 16:18 - 2002
Shelby Leland (Ukiah HS, CA) 19:00 - 2003
A deceiving layout with a quick opening mile, challenging hills, and considerable
humidity make achieving fast times a real challenge. To give an idea of the difficulty,
Moe went on to run a sub-4:08 mile in track that year and Leland 10:38 for 3200m.

***2004 Iolani Invitational Preview***
6th Annual Iolani Invitational
Saturday, September 18, 2004
At Kualoa Ranch, Hawaii

     
Virginia's Amanda Patterson (Midlothian HS) will battle the Washington triumvirate
of (from l-to-r) Alyssa Modrell, Amanda Stopa and Kara Sporrong (Snohomish HS).

         After months of anticipation, the wait is finally over. With talented national-caliber entries from
the state of Washington leading the record onslaught of mainland teams participating, the sixth annual Iolani Invitational continues to grow, both in size and stature. Once regarded as a showcase for national-class individual talent (including boasting three eventual FootLocker national champions on the girls' side), the meet has since evolved in recent editions to include powerhouse teams as well.

         This year should prove no exception, with nationally regarded Pacific Northwest juggernaut Snohomish High School (ranked 17th nationally) leading the list of girls' teams entered. Snohomish, which was pinned with a narrow loss in a battle of national megapowers here a year ago, enters as the favorite in 2004. There are prime contenders for the podium spots, however, with California power Saugus, East Coast force Midlothian of Virginia, regional standouts East Valley of Washington and Long Beach Poly of California joining the hosts and three-time defending state champion Iolani High.

         Individually, the pacesetters could very well be Midlothian senior standout Amanda Patterson and California sophomore sensation Shannon Murakami, although Snohomish checks in with a trio of decorated All-State performers. Patterson, who clocked a lifetime-best 5:00.55 for 1600 meters in May, might have the edge in terms of big-meet experience, often crossing state lines in search of top-flight competition in recent years. Murakami was the fifth-fastest freshman in California at the 2003 state meet, clocking 18:14 to earn Division I All-State accolades. For Snohomish, Alyssa Modrell, Amanda Stopa and Kara Sporrong are all leading entries in the field. Former Hawaii state champion Nicole Anderson of host Iolani leads the island contingent.

         On the boys' side, Auburn Riverside aims to make it a possible sweep of the team titles Pacific Northwest squads, with pre-race individual favorite Jordan McNamara leading five returnees from an A-R unit that placed 7th at the 2003 Washington State 4-A championships. McNamara and senior classmate Josh Clough spearhead a vaunted attack that has the crew ranked fourth in this week's just-released Nike Team Nationals Northwest Region poll. Other top teams entered include perennial area powers Midlothian and Lake Braddock ogf Virginia and Long Beach Poly of Southern California. Locally, defending state champion Iolani headlines the entries.  Aloha!

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The Sensational Sights In Beautiful Hawaii !
 
          "Surf's Up in Waikiki, dude!"            "The Unmistakeable Hospitality of Hawaii"

Course map - coming
2003 DyeStat coverage
2004 Itinerary/Information

Sultana High School of Southern California captured the 2003
Varsity Girls Championship to lead the Golden State highlights!

Eisenhower High of Washington was out slowly during the flat first mile, but then really
started making gradual shifts in effort to work the hills and make passes while many of
the faster-starting teams were already gasping amid the humidity by the time the hills arrived.