NEW YORK — On one of the biggest stages on the indoor track and field circuit, Wisconsin junior Alicia Monson made a statement Saturday by winning the women's 3000 meters at the prestigious Millrose Games with the No. 3 time in NCAA history.

Monson crossed the line in 8 minutes, 45.97 seconds, a mark that shattered the Badgers' 33-year old school record of 8:57.12 set by Stephanie Herbst in 1986. Only Karissa Schweizer and Jenny (Barringer) Simpson have run faster times as collegiate athletes. Schweizer set the NCAA record of 8:41.60 at last year's Millrose Games.

Monson now owns the fastest time by an American this year and ranks No. 3 in the world.

"Going into this race, the goal was to stay controlled, stay calm, and to close any gaps that started to form to stay attached to the group," Monson said. "There was that fall for a couple of the girls towards the beginning of the race and I just dodged that. I saw that opportunity to close the gap, so I went for it."

The junior came out quick, sticking with the middle of the group up until the last kilometer, when she pulled ahead with the leaders. Monson stayed in the fourth place spot until there were just two laps to go, when she started to make her move. The Amery, Wisconsin, native stunned the field, sprinting side by side with runner-up Rachel Schneider of Under Armour before passing her and pulling off the win down the final stretch.

"Coming into the end of the race, I found myself still towards the front, so I just tried to keep moving my arms and I decided to just go for it," Monson said. "I felt like I had a lot left in my legs, so I was just thinking of the wicket drills we do in practice and to close strong."

"To win this race at the most prestigious indoor meet in the United States is absolutely incredible," UW assistant coach and women's cross country head coach Jill Miller said. "Alicia trusted herself in a race full of professional athletes — that's no easy task. We talked about the importance of staying attached to the fast pace early and seeing if we could find another gear with 200 meters to go. I told her that I wouldn't care if she blew up over the last lap but to without a doubt put herself in it. That honestly worked even better than I had envisioned."