A group of the Iowa State women’s track and field team traveled to South Bend, Ind., trying to piece together a last chance effort good enough to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships next weekend.

The goal for the Cyclones at the Alex Wilson Invitational was simple; qualify for the NCAAs.

The group was led by senior Ejiro Okoro, who finished in second place in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:05.54 seconds. With that time Okoro has the tenth best time in the 800-meter this year, which will qualify her for the NCAAs. Okoro, a senior, will be making her first appearance at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Okoro’s time of 2:05.54 seconds is a personal best for her in the 800-meter run. Okoro placed fourth in the event at the Big 12 Championships last weekend. Okoro will join three other Cyclone women at the NCAA Championships next weekend. Betsy Saina will compete in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter run. Christina Hillman and Danielle Frere will compete in the shot put event.

Ihmels and the Cyclones attempted to qualify a 4×400 relay team as well over the weekend.  But failed to do so, as the Cyclone team consisting of Krista Shoeman, Ese Okoro, Donnise Powell and Kendra White finished ninth with a time of 3:39.78.

Meaghan Nelson, who has been hampered this indoor season by small injuries, competed in the 5,000-meter run. Nelson finished third in the event with a time of 16:09.34 but failed to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Nelson finished second in the 5,000-meter run at the Big 12 Championships.

Iowa State joined many of the top teams in the country to compete at the Alex Wilson Invitational. The Cyclones competed against the likes of Duke, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Syracuse and Texas, amongst others.

The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held March 8-9 in Fayetteville, Ark.