FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Iowa State two-time NCAA champion Betsy Sai.na finished second to Dartmouth’s Abbey D’Agostino in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday in the Randal Tyson Track Complex. Cyclone Ejiroghene Okoro qualified for the final of the women’s 800 meters.
Saina, the defending NCAA 5k champion, led the 5,000 early before giving way to D’Agostino, who won the 5K in 15:28.11 Saina finished second in 15:33.66. Saina’s performance marked the eighth time in her career that she has earned All-America honors. She will run in the 3,000-meter run Saturday at 7:40 p.m. CST.
“Betsy was solid today and in the final analysis she just got beat by a very good runner,” Ihmels said.
Okoro advanced to the 800-meter final with a second-place finish in her heat with a 2:06.10 clocking. She will run in Saturday’s final at 7:20 p.m. CST
“Ej ran tremendous today,” Ihmels said. “I think she will be a factor in the final.”
Iowa State’s Nick Efkamp of Madrid was clocked in 46.88 in his 400-meter dash heat Friday but did not qualify for the final. Cyclone Edward Kemboi did not advance past his 800-meter preliminary.
Cyclone shot putters Danielle Frere and Christina Hillman will compete Saturday at 4 p.m.
Action continues Saturday.
IOWA STATE RESULTS:
Men:
400-meter dash: Prelim 3; 1) David Verburg, George Mason, 46.44; 3) Nick Efkamp, IOWA STATE, 46.88
800-meter run: Prelim 1; 1) Elijah Greer, Oregon, 1:48.14; 8) Edward Kemboi, IOWA STATE, 1:51.47
Women:
5,000-meter run: 1) Abby D’Agostino, Dartmouth, 15:28.11; 2) Betsy Saina, IOWA STATE, 15:33.66
800-meter run; Prelim 1) Natoya Goule, LSU, 2:05.68; 2) Ejiroghene Okoro, IOWA STATE, 2:06.10
