The ISU women’s track and field team was led by Betsy Saina and Christina Hillman this weekend at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Saina, who was the defending national champion in the 5,000-meter run, finished second in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 15:33.66. ISU coach Corey Ihmels thinks Saina performed well even though she was unable to defend her title.

“Betsy ran well today, she competed against the very best today and I think she is still one of the best in distance running.” Ihmels said.

Saina was dethroned by Dartmouth’s Abbey D’Agostino who also finished first in the 3,000-meter run, a race that Saina finished fourth in.

“It was a good weekend; I’m disappointed I could not win, but I still ran well and I am looking forward to moving outdoors.” said Saina, who earned All-America honors for the eighth time this weekend. “I think this weekend will help in training as far as improving and working towards the outdoor season.”

ISU sophomore thrower Christina Hillman finished second in the shot put. Hillman set a new personal record and school record with her final throw of the competition of 17.69 meters. Hillman was joined by teammate Danielle Frere in the shot put; Frere finished 13th.

Ejiro Okoro also competed this weekend, finishing seventh in the 800-meter run. Okoro, a senior, made her first appearance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

“Ej [Okoro] ran very well this weekend, she was a factor in prelims and in the final I think she will move on and have a very good season outdoors,” Ihmels said.

The ISU men sent two competitors to the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Edward Kemboi entered the NCAA Championships with the sixth fastest time in the 800-meter run. Kemboi was unable to advance past his preliminary after running the 800-meter run in a time of 1:51.47.

Nick Efkamp qualified in the 400-meter dash with the 12th fastest time in the NCAA. Efkamp was clocked in with a time of 46.88 and was unable to make it to the finals.