Linfield University track and field star Kira Hawaaboo is poised for another run at a national championship this week at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships here at The Spire Institute in Geneva Ohio, just outside Cleveland.
 
"Kira has a great mindset heading into the national meet," said Wildcats coach Travis Olson. "Knowing she will be busier this time around while doing both the heptathlon and the long jump, and the work she has put in thus far, has prepared her well. I believe she feels as good as she has all year."
 
Finishing sixth in the nation in the women's outdoor long jump last spring to earn All-America honors during her first foray into national competition, the Enumclaw, Washington, resident returns to challenge for an NCAA crown not only in the long jump, but in the grueling seven-event women's heptathlon as well.
 
Hawaaboo begins her championship quest in the heptathlon Thursday at 9:30 a.m. PDT. Her first event will be the 100-meter hurdles. Thursday's heptathlon events also include the high jump, shot put and the 200-meter dash.
 
Later Thursday, Hawaaboo will compete in the open long jump starting at 2:30 p.m. PDT.
 
A junior academically with sophomore eligibility, Hawaaboo is ranked sixth among Division III long jumpers with a mark of 19 feet, 9½ inches (6.03 meters). In March, she earned All-America honors while placing fourth at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships in Rochester, N.Y.
 
In the heptathlon, Hawaaboo is ranked ninth in Division III this spring, having totaled a school-record 4,840 points last month at the Northwest Conference Championships. The top eight finishers in each event are awarded All-America status.
 
Olson noted that for Hawaaboo to achieve another high finish, "it will be important for her to stay close to her PRs in each event, which should set her up well to become an All-American. I would not be surprised to see her score over 5,000 points."
 
The tight timeline between the completion of the Day 1 heptathlon events and the open long jump competition will also test Hawaaboo's physical and mental stamina.
 
"After the 200, she will need to recover and be ready to long jump about an hour afterward," said Olson, referring to Thursday's schedule. "She's been jumping well lately and I really believe she has a chance to be an All-American or win (the championship).
 
"It will be important to get a solid jump on her first attempt to help with her confidence. What I know about Kira is that she thrives on competition. I would not be surprised to see her on the podium a few times this weekend."