When Christina Hillman entered the outdoor track and field season she had her sights set on reaching 60 feet in the shot put.

After reviewing her résumé, which includes an indoor and outdoor national title in the event, the goal seemed within reach.

But a disappointing performance in the shot put at the Drake Relays left Hillman searching for answers. And for the first five of her six attempts in the shot put at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship on Saturday, it seemed unlikely she would regain her championship form.

After reaching a mark of 54-feet-2-inches in her fifth throw, Hillman talked with her coach, Fletcher Brooks.

“[Brooks] told me, ‘You have one more big one in you. You know you do. You can do this,’” Hillman said. “It was all encouraging. He told me to get across the circle more and I did on my last throw.”

Everything changed on Hillman’s final attempt.

“Knowing it was my last throw, I knew it had to be now or never,” Hillman said.

Saving the best for last, Hillman reeled back and let one fly. Her mark of 57-feet-3-inches placed her first with two throwers yet to compete.

Hillman’s mark wouldn’t hold up as the next thrower reached 58-feet-3-inches, but she was satisfied with her performance.

“It was just refreshing because I haven’t hit that mark in a really long time,” Hillman said. “It’s encouraging, setting myself up for regionals and nationals.”

Hillman is scheduled to compete again at 1 p.m. Sunday in the discuss throw.

Day two of the Big 12 Outdoor Championship followed with five preliminary running events and the long jump for Iowa State.

The highlight of the running events was senior Kendra White, who recorded the second fastest time in ISU history in the 400-meter dash. White entered the meet with the goal of running a sub-53 second time, a feat she hadn’t accomplished in her track career at Iowa State.

White’s time of 52.53 qualified her for a position in the finals of the event, which will take place at 4:35 p.m. Sunday.

Freshman Jhoanmy Luque ended the day for Iowa State, finishing seventh in the long jump with a mark of 19-feet-5.50-inches.

The Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela, native, scored two points for the Cyclones in the event, adding to the team’s 24 point total.

Iowa State will enter the third and final day of the conference championship meet Sunday in fifth place in the standings. Competition will begin with the high jump at 12 p.m. for Iowa State, featuring redshirt senior Hannah Willms, sophomore Marine Vallet and redshirt freshman Katie Reeves.