Every Monday, GoSwords.com will publish "This Week in 'Swords History presented by Big City Diner" which looks back at significant events and some of the memorable games that helped shape Chaminade University Athletics into what it is today.
Nov. 9, 1985: 'Swords, Kini Finishes Historic Season
The Chaminade University women's cross country team was looking to put the finishing touches to the 1985 season at the NAIA District 29 championships at Ala Moana Park.
Heading into that race, the Silverswords were undefeated in all four D-29 meets as was their top runner,
Donna Kini, who captured four first-place finishes.
The 'Swords finished off the year by placing three of the top six finishers to capture the D-29 title, dethroning defending champion BYU-Hawai'i, 10-13, in the 5-kilometer race.
Kini dominated the field in 19 minutes, 35 seconds, finishing nearly a minute ahead of runner-up, Estelle Onaga of Hawai'i Hilo. Chaminade's
Valerie Spahn completed the course in 20:36 for a third-place finish while teammate
Nancy Tapia came in sixth at 21:20.
The victory was a conclusion to a banner season for the 'Swords, who finished an unblemished 5-0 in D-29 races, a school record. Their only non-win of the year came in a September dual meet against Division I Hawai'i Manoa.
Kini also put a wrap to her historic year with five wins, also a school record.
