The University of Hawai'i women's track and field team, on the verge of capturing its first Western Athletic Conference Indoor Championship, saw it slip from its grasp on the final event yesterday in Nampa, Idaho.

The Rainbow Wahine took a four-point lead into the 4x400 relay, but placed sixth in 3 minutes, 52.49 seconds to score three points and finish with a school-record 121 total.

Louisiana Tech placed second in the race in 3:46.05, scoring eight points to finish with 122 and capture the team title.

The 'Bows, whose previous best finish was sixth last year, garnered three gold, five silver and two bronze medals over the three days. Senior Mallory Gilbert was named Field Athlete of the Meet after scoring 27 points.

"I am so proud for the team, especially for Mallory," head coach Carmyn James said. "She couldn't have ended her career on a better note. She is a competitor and did everything she could to help this team win the WAC Championship."

UH earned six medals yesterday, with Emily Sheppard leading a 1-2-3 finish in the high jump (5 feet, 8 3/4) and Thalia Amanakis capturing the 800-meter run (2:10.07). Gilbert was second in the high jump and Annett Wichmann third.

Meghan Weaver finished second in the shot put with a school-record 52-6 1/2, and Gilbert took silver in the triple jump with 39-9 1/4.