Christina Hillman made the trip to Albuquerque, N.M., Feb. 22-24 as the lone Cyclone to compete in the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Hillman, who had four victories in four attempts so far this season, knew that the competition level this week would be unlike anything she had faced against to this point in the season.

The All-American junior, who currently has the top throw in the NCAA this season, faced off against a field that included the top professional throwers in the country.

Coming into the meet, Hillman’s best throw this season ranked her sixth in the USA Indoor Championship’s field, and when the meet was all said and done, that’s exactly where Hillman finished.

“Coming into the meet, my expectations weren’t super high, but I think in the back of our minds we all want that big throw that wins [the meet],” Hillman said. “I wasn’t exactly happy with my throws, but I know it’s just a stepping stone for where I’m headed.”

While Hillman didn’t get that “big throw” she hoped for, but she was the top collegiate finisher in the field.

“I don’t think any of us were really at our bests today,” Hillman said. “I don’t know if anybody really got the marks they were quite hoping for.”

Hillman’s throw of 57-1 1/2 was just shy of her NCAA-leading season-best throw of 57-5 1/2. While Hillman didn’t put up her best throw of the year, she was still pleased with the competition as a whole and is excited for her upcoming schedule, including the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Indoor Championships.

“This was the top level of competition I faced this year by far,” Hillman said. “It’s really the first landmark meet of the year, and it leads me into Big 12 [Championships] and NCAA [Championships] down the road.”

Michelle Carter, a Nike-affiliated athlete who currently owns the American record in the shot put event, stole the show with a top throw of 60-6 1/2. Hillman said watching the professional athletes provides her insight on how to improve her own performance.

“I love watching some of these girls compete,” Hillman said. “Besides just watching their form and taking things away from that, I think the biggest thing is just their determination and focus. They aren’t super talkative or anything. When they’re competing, they’re zoned in.”

With the USA Indoor Championships finished up, Hillman returns back to the collegiate realm, where she looks to improve upon her runner-up finish at the Big 12 Championship meet last season.

“This weekend is just a preview of what’s to come,” Hillman said. “I’m really excited for it. These high caliber meets are a lot of fun, and I like to go out and compete against these top-level athletes.”