GENEVA, Ohio – Sometimes, athletes must take a step back in order to take another step forward.
 
Such may be the case for Linfield University's Kira Hawaaboo, one of the Northwest Conference's premier track and field athletes.
 
At the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, a compression of the planned event schedule ultimately forced Hawaaboo to withdraw from competing in both the women's long jump and the women's heptathlon.
 
After scoring points in four heptathlon events during Thursday's first day of competition, Hawaaboo was expecting a full hour to recover before ramping up again to compete in the open long jump. But a shuffling of the weather-impacted event schedule forced her to have to compete in back-to-back events with no recovery time, ultimately causing cramps in her calf muscles.
 
Hawaaboo began Thursday competing in the women's heptathlon, forging a 16th-place showing after four events among a field of 22 multi-event challengers. The junior from Enumclaw, Washington, placed 22nd in the 100-meter hurdles (15.70), 13th in high jump (5-0½), 13th in the shot put (33-1¾) and sixth in the 200-meter dash (25.68 seconds).
 
As noted, wet weather in the area caused delays and adjustments to the schedule, including moving the high jump indoors.
 
After a night's sleep to assess her situation, Hawaaboo's muscles did not feel capable of continuing with the final three events of the heptathlon.
 
It was a disappointing conclusion to an otherwise superlative season for Hawaaboo, who set a new school points record in the heptathlon, established new school and conference records in the long jump, won Northwest Conference titles in both events, and was named NWC and USTFCCCA West Region Women's Field Athlete of the Year.
 
"Although the national meet didn't go as Kira envisioned, she has every reason to be incredibly proud," said Wildcats coach Travis Olson. "This season, she delivered one of the most successful and memorable performances in Linfield women's track and field history. There's no doubt she'll be putting in the work this off season to come back even stronger."
 
Hawaaboo and Olson expect to return to Oregon on Friday.