COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Samford University track and field standout Karisa Nelson not only bested her career-record mark by over four seconds Saturday, but the Bulldogs' junior native of Brewton, Alabama, won the national championship in the women's mile as she posted a thrilling title run of 4:31.24 at the 2017 NCAA Indoor National Championships.
 
Nelson turned in a tactical race Saturday, hanging in the second tier of runners for the first couple of laps before making her move on the final lap. Down the stretch, Samford's tall, athletic distance runner used her long stride and daring outside-lane tactic to surpass both Penn State's Danae Rivers and New Hampshire's Elinor Purrier for the championship title.
 
In the final 50 yards, the Bulldogs' Nelson pulled away from the competition and coasted to the national championship.
 
On Friday, Nelson posted a brilliant time of 4:35.31 in the women's mile during her heat of the preliminary rounds Friday. Her mark proved to be the fastest of all 16 competitors in the event.
 
A re-air of the championship will take place on Sunday, March 12, starting at 6 p.m., on ESPN2.
 
Nelson's historic title proved to be the first Division I NCAA championship in school history and capped off a brilliant performance from the Samford women's track and field teams in the indoor season. With her finish Saturday, the Bulldogs' women's squad finished the competition ranked No. 21 in the nation. Earlier this year, Samford earned its second straight Southern Conference championship.
 
Samford is also expected to shine during the 2017 outdoor season as well.
 
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