For a brief instance during the Big 4 Duals, it seemed like the ISU women’s cross country team was competing.

Instead, it was the ISU women’s track and field team running the mile. And for just under five minutes, the runners recovered the same strategy that helped the cross country team take second place at the NCAA Championships on Nov. 22, 2014.

The approach included running conservatively out of the gate, forming a pack and finishing strong. And just like the cross country team did time after time, the mile runners executed the strategy to near perfection.

Less than five minutes into the race, six ISU runners were already beginning their cool down.

“Last week [at the Holiday Inn Invitational], we all kind of went out a little aggressive,” said sophomore Heidi Engelhardt. “This week, we tried to dial it back a little because it was a longer race. Everyone was basically in the [800-meter] or [1000-meter] last week … it’s a longer race, so kind of dial it back and be a little conservative and really make a race out of it the last two laps.”

Engelhardt was one of six runners for Iowa State who finished inside the top seven in the event, placing third with a time of 4:51.19 and setting a personal record.

Sophomore Perez Rotich, freshman Olivia Robertson, freshman Abby Caldwell, graduate Kate DeSimone and redshirt freshman Erin Hooker joined Engelhardt in the pack.

The spotlight wasn’t just limited to the runners competing in the mile. ISU athletes stole the show in the high jump and long jump. Sophomore Marine Vallet, redshirt senior Hannah Willms and redshirt freshman Katie Reeves finished first, second and third in the high jump, respectively. Freshman Jhoanmy Luque not only took the title in the long jump, but landed the sixth best mark in ISU history in the event.

Senior Kendra White and redshirt junior Colleen Riley also recorded first place performances for Iowa State in the 400-meter dash and the 3000-meter run, respectively.

“[The meet] went really well. All of the girls really got after it today. I think we all kind of showed up on race day,” Engelhardt said.

The meet ended for the women’s team with the 4×400-meter relay. The team finished fourth in the event.

“I was tired for sure, my calves hurt, but it was pretty good. It felt like it was something that was good for me to do, good speed work for all of us,” said sophomore Maryn Lowry.

Next on the schedule for Iowa State is the Razorback Team Invitational on Jan. 30 to 31 in Fayetteville, Ark.