BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Wisconsin women's track and field team has produced several standout distance runners in its program history.
 
But no one had won an indoor 5K NCAA title until Friday as junior Alicia Monson won her first national championship thanks to a dominating performance in the event at the 2019 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at Birmingham CrossPlex.  
 
Monson crossed the line in a personal-best time of 15 minutes, 31.26 seconds, which not only ranks No. 2 in program history behind Sarah Disanza, but was the No. 9 time in meet history. 
 
"I try to be kind of reactive. I know that a lot of times that if women take it out early, them doing the work kind of wastes energy," said Monson.  "My coaches and I kept in touch and stayed relaxed. I knew I should wait until the end to go, but I wasn't really sure when, but when I did decide to go I knew that was the time to take it."
 
"I couldn't be more proud of Alicia's performance today," assistant coach Jill Miller said. "She executed beautifully and when you look at our program's rich history, it is incredible for her to be able to say she's our first indoor 5K national champion. We will certainly soak this up for a few minutes before we turn our heads to the 3K on Saturday."
 
A native of Amery, Wisconsin, Monson is the first UW female to win a national track title since Kathy Butler won the 3000 meters title at the 1997 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Monson was towards the front of the pack for a majority of the race until she broke away from the pack with New Mexico's Weini Kelati in the final kilometer.
 
Kelati led a majority of the final kilometer while Monson stayed close behind until the bell lap, when Monson made her move. The UW junior powered past Kelati and ran the final 200 meters in 33.65 to earn a personal-best time.

The UW women's distance medley relay squad of Alissa Niggemann, Gabby DesRosiers, Bianca Stubler and Amy Davis finished ninth in 11:21.71. It marked UW's first time competing in the event at the national championships since 2008.
 
Niggemann ran the 1200 meter leg in 3:25.67 before handing the baton off to DesRosiers, who sprinted her 400 meters in a staggering 54.51.
 
Next up was Stubler, who ran the 800-meter leg in at 2:10.33 before passing the baton to Davis, who ran the anchor in 4:51.21. 
 
In her first of two events this weekend, senior Banke Oginni earned second-team All-America honors with a 16th-place finish thanks to a heave of 50 feet, 7 1/4 inches.
 
Indoor track season concludes on Saturday for the Badgers as Monson and Oginni return to action for the Cardinal and White. Oginni will throw the weight at 4:30 p.m. while Monson will race in the 3000 meters at 6:10 p.m. 

NCAA Indoor Championship
Birmingham, Alabama
Friday, March 8

Women's 5000 Meters
1. Alicia Monson – 15:31.26

Women's Distance Medley Relay
9. Niggemann, DesRosiers, Stubler, Davis - 11:21.71

Women's Shot Put
16. Banke Oginni – 50-7 ¼ (15.42m)