Colorado senior Pierce Murphy finished fourth in the men’s 10,000-meter run at Wednesday’s NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Murphy, an Island School alum from Kauai, earned All-America honors by finishing in 29 minutes, 12.49 seconds. Oregon’s Edward Cheserek won his third straight 10,000 title with a winning time of 29:09.57.

Murphy also earned All-America honors last year by finishing fifth in the 10,000 run.

The men’s competition ends Friday and the women end Saturday. Oregon’s sweep of both the men and women last year was unprecedented.

Hitchcock helps Puerto Rico to title

University of Hawaii pitcher Brittany Hitchcock went 3-0 with a save to help Puerto Rico’s national softball team to the Torneo Della Repubblica (Tournament of the Republic) title in Italy last week.

Hitchcock allowed two runs, one earned, on 11 hits and was named the top pitcher in the five-day tournament, which concluded Sunday in Caronno Pertusella, Italy. The right-hander struck out 16 and walked none in 22 innings and her week included a rain-shortened perfect game against Italy’s Under 19 team. She closed the tournament with a complete-game victory over Italy and Puerto Rico pulled out a 2-1 win in eight innings.

Hitchcock, a second-team All-Big West pick as a sophomore, was invited to join Puerto Rico’s national team last summer.

———

Star-Advertiser staff