Fourth for Nelson

DES MOINES - Iowa State's Meaghan Nelson paused, drew in a deep breath and put her hands on her hips.

Oklahoma State's Natalja Piliusina, left, leads Oregon's Jordan Hasay, center, and Washington's Katie Flood, right, at the finish in a semifinal of the women's 1,500 meters at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships, Thursday, June 7, 2012, at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

The former Xavier standout's next move: High fives and hugs for family and friends leaning over a Drake Stadium railing.

Her ultimate maneuver: Up the medal stand to fourth - as a first-time all-American after clocking a time of 32:47.43 in the 10-kilometers final at Thursday's NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

“I wasn't particularly awesome in high school,” Nelson said. “So to come back and finish so well here now is nothing like I expected, but definitely a pleasant surprise.”

Expect more to come.

Nelson, a junior, ran the 10K for just the third time in her career.

Her first effort, in April, punched her ticket to the June 22-July 1 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore.

“Each race is a surprise and I keep learning more about keeping up with the best girls in the nation and being comfortable with that as well,” said Nelson, who climbed as high as third. “This whole thing has been a great learning experience and I can't wait until next year.”

Former Tipton star Ashley Miller went fast in her final collegiate race, too.

For three-quarters of the second heat of the 1,500-meter event, the Nebraska senior held the lead and appeared poised for a berth in the finals.

Then the pack surged and seven runners inched by her - including longtime rival Katie Flood of Washington - in the waning moments.

Miller, a 15-time state champion and freshly-minted Drake Relays record-holder in the event, settled for 16th place (4:14.12) and second-team all-American honors for the second straight season.

“I'm really disappointed because this is my last year and I was hoping for big things,” said Miller, who last month was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Track and Field Hall of Fame. “I just didn't have it today.”

Flood, a Des Moines native, lurked with five others in a tightly-grouped pack behind Miller until delivering a hard charge in the final 200 meters.

The sophomore finished fourth in the stacked heat.

“I'm just so relieved I'm not done,” said Flood, whose sister, Betsy, is a senior in the Hawkeyes' track program. “I have Saturday to look forward to.”

Miller can look back on her long list of accomplishments - including four conference titles.

“I'm really proud of my career,” she said. “I just wish I could have put on more of a show today.”

Iowa's Ethan Holmes ended up 19th in 110 hurdles after taking 18th in the 400 hurdles Wednesday.

“Qualifying isn't enough for me,” the injury-plagued junior said of reaching nationals in both events. “Just making it here two years in a row - I feel like I'm just staying in the same area.”

Matt Byers of Iowa earned in the javelin, throwing a season-best 237-6.

Hawkeye sprinter Justin Austin snared 13th in the 200-meter dash in a time of 20.71.

Northern Iowa's Olimpia Nowak stood 13th after the first day of the heptathlon and versatile Panther Daniel Gooris placed 10th in the decathlon.

Iowa State freshman Cameron Ostrowski tied for 19th in the high jump.