The hard part is over for the University of Hawai‘i track and field team.
When Aloha Stadium was suddenly condemned in late 2020, UH decided to turn the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex into a makeshift football stadium. That meant occupying the home of the school's track and field facility and building on top of it.
For the last four years, the Rainbow Wahine have practiced partially on campus, as well as at ‘Iolani and Kalani High School, among other local schools. Construction on the school's new track and field and soccer complex at Cooke Field is on pace to be completed later in the year, giving the team a new permanent home.
"Very much looking forward to daily access to that facility across the board," said Tim Boyce, the director of the cross country and track and field programs. "I think that through the four years of challenges, we've kind of overcome the odds a little bit, and the ladies have been great in terms of just, 'OK, where are we practicing? What time is the (team) van headed over to Kalani and ‘Iolani?'
"It's been really smooth. They've been great partners for us, and we're so thankful for the time we've had on their facilities. We've had to juggle practice times and do some things differently than we would have otherwise. But we've never wanted to use any of these challenges as an excuse. We've just used the challenges to kind of help us be our best, and so when we get to a track meet at a full-blown facility we go, all right, let's go."
The Rainbow Wahine are set to compete at the Big West championships on Friday and Saturday in Long Beach, Calif. In 11 years competing in the tournament as a member of the Big West, the 'Bows have finished as high as second overall in 2022 and are coming off consecutive third place finishes in 2023 and 2024.
"As always, we're excited to head into the Big West championships," Boyce said. "The team's as fit and healthy as they've been all year, and we've got some some ladies kind of across all areas that are ready to do some really excellent things."
Estonia native Lilian Turban is Hawai‘i's most prominent athlete, excelling in both jumps and throws. A high jump All-American in both indoor and outdoor track and field, she will look to defend her conference high jump title this weekend. She also heads into the tournament as the conference's leader in javelin.
"She just leads by example and is literally like one of the best athletes in the history of this campus," Boyce said. "She's kind of allowed us to continue to be an international recruiting presence. Her ability to come here from Estonia and excel, she's just the epitome of a student-athlete."
Turban's outdoor high jump of 1.87 meters and indoor high jump of 1.86 meters are both second in school history, while her javelin throws have gone as far as 45.85 meters.
"I think this whole process was just a whole big learning experience," Turban said at a recent practice. "I think I got really fixated on results and just getting better and better, that I kind of left my health and mental health in the background, and then that did not work out great. I've definitely learned to prioritize health, because when I'm not healthy, I cannot be on the field."
Before the Rainbow Wahine left for the Big West championships, the team got to practice at Cooke Field on the completed track, providing encouragement for the team and giving the 'Bows a taste of their future home.
"We actually got to practice on it [Tuesday] morning, and it was so awesome, just an incredible facility," multis and hurdle standout Catherine Touchette said. "I'm so grateful for all the work that people have put into it and the work that our coaches have done to get it underway. And I'm just excited to be able to hopefully compete on it next year."
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
