University of Hawai'i heptathletes Annett Wichmann and Emily Sheppard hold the top two spots after the first day of the heptathlon competition at the Western Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Logan, Utah.

Wichmann is trying to become the WAC's first four-time heptathlon champion.

She leads the 14-athlete field after scoring 3,233 points yesterday, 72 more than her seasonal-best performance at the Mt. SAC Multi-Events last month. Sheppard is holding second with 3,073 points, just 48 points ahead of Idaho's Darcy Collins. Joy Saleapaga, competing in the first heptathlon of her young UH career, is in 11th place with 2,487 points.

Wichmann started with a second-place showing in the 100-meter hurdles (14.99). In the next discipline, she finished runner-up to Sheppard in high jump after clearing a seasonal-best 5 feet 8. The Jena, Germany native blew away the field in the shot put with a heave of 44-2.75 and wrapped up the first day with a ninth-place finish in the 200-meter dash (26.67).

Sheppard had the day's fifth-best time in the 100 hurdles (15.66) before winning high jump with a clearance of 5-9.25, a new heptathlon personal best. She finished sixth in shot put at 32-6.25 and posted a blistering time of 25.24 seconds to win 200 meters. Her 200 mark was seventh in UH history and the best mark in 26 years.

Saleapaga recorded personal best marks in the 100-hurdles (17.03) and high jump (4-11.75). The Bellflower, Calif., native threw 27-3.75 in the shot and was sixth in 200 meters (26.43).

Heptathlon concludes today with the final three events. Tomorrow is the first full day of competition.

SOFTBALL

'BOWS HONORED

University of Hawai'i seniors Julie Franklin and Clare Warwick have been named to the CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 8 team.

Franklin, a shortstop from Temple City, Calif., carries a 3.96 grade point average and will be graduating Saturday with a degree in psychology. Franklin is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has been a National Fastpitch Coaches Association, Western Athletic Conference, and UH Scholar-Athlete every season of her career.

Franklin, who appeared in 36 games and batted .235 this season, has been the top student-athlete for the softball team the past three years.

Warwick, a third baseman from Canberra, Australia, carries a 3.89 grade point average and will graduate in December with a degree in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. She is the only Rainbow Wahine to receive the CoSIDA District 8 honor three times.

Warwick has started 220 consecutive games and earned All-WAC honors for the third straight year. She is second all-time in UH history with 159 runs scored and third in hits with 138.

SURFING

ISLE SURFERS OUSTED

Hawai'i surfers Fred Patacchia Jr. and Roy Powers were eliminated from the Billabong Pro Tahiti men's contest yesterday.

The second day of the event was completed in 3- to 4-foot waves at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

Patacchia was upset in the second round by Australia's Josh Kerr, 15.16-14.5. Patacchia held the lead for most of the 35-minute heat, but Kerr scored an 8.83 (out of 10) on his final wave with about four minutes remaining.

Patacchia entered the event ranked No. 3 on the 2009 ASP World Tour. Kerr is No. 29.

Powers lost in the first round to Australia's Mick Campbell.

TENNIS

FREE CLINIC MAY 23

Punahou School is hosting a free tennis clinic May 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, as part of USPTA Tennis Across America Day. Equipment will be available at no charge. The clinic is open to anyone.

To register, call 944-5835 or send an email to USPTAHawaii@yahoo.com.