Junior distance runner Madelyn Miller closed out her weekend at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday afternoon, competing in the women's 5,000-meter final and capping a historic year.

Originally scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Mountain Time, the race was moved up to 3:55 p.m. due to anticipated severe weather in the Pueblo area. The entire day's schedule was shifted forward in an effort to ensure a safe and uninterrupted conclusion to the championships.

Race Recap
The 5K featured a stacked field of elite competitors, including 13 athletes who had also raced in Thursday night's 10,000 meters. Among the lineup were the newly crowned national champions from the 10K, 1,500 meters, and 3,000-meter steeplechase—making for one of the most competitive distance events of the weekend. Many runners were doubling or even tripling back from earlier events and prelims, adding to the tactical complexity of the race.

Unlike the more controlled 10K, the 5K stretched out quickly. Adams State's Tristian Spence surged to the front early and never relinquished the lead, going wire-to-wire to claim the title. The pack quickly strung out behind her in mostly single-file order, with Miller settling into a steady rhythm at a pace under six minutes per mile.

Miller, who entered the race as the final seed based on qualifying times, held her own in the championship setting and crossed the line in 18:22.35, placing 18th out of 22 competitors. Her performance came just two days after a strong effort in the 10K, showcasing her toughness.

With her outdoor championship debut complete, Miller caps off a breakthrough year that saw her shatter program records, qualify for two outdoor national events, and one indoor event where she earned Second Team All-American honors. She continues to raise the bar for Prairie Stars distance running and has firmly established herself among the nation's top Division II competitors.