Saina repeats as Big 12 champ in day one

Redshirt senior Betsy Saina crosses the finish line in her 5,000-meter race during the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Lied Recreation Athletic Center. Saina won her race with a time of 16:07.19.

Isaac Hunt

The results of the Big 12 Championships are not all known yet. During the first day’s events, many of the races are just preliminary.

What is certain is that Betsy Saina defended her Big 12 title in the 5,000-meter run. With a time of 16:07.09, Saina retained her place atop the Big 12. Following behind her was teammate Meaghan Nelson in second. 

Some results in the field were final, like the men’s weight throw where Iowa State placed two athletes in the top eight. Senior Zack Richards placed fourth and sophomore Henry Kelly finished the day in seventh.

On the women’s side of the weight throw Iowa State was able to place three throwers in the top 5. Finishing third, fourth and fifth were Laishema Hampton, Danielle Frere and Hayli Bozarth.

Dani Stack and Betsy Saina both advanced to Sunday’s finals in the women’s one mile along with Rico Loy in the men’s.

Ian Warner qualified for the finals in the men’s 60-meter dash.

Nick Efkamp ran his way into the finals of both the 200-meter dash and 400-meter dash. Efkamp broke his personal best record with a time of 46.67 in the 400.

Edward Kemboi and Alec Baldwin will compete in the finals of the men’s 800-meter run. Ej Okoro will compete in the same event on the women’s side.

Three runners from Iowa State will compete in the finals in the women’s 1,000-meter run.

Field events for Feb. 24 begin at noon with the men’s high jump while track events start at 1:30 p.m. with the women’s 60-meter hurdles.