OSU’S Piliusina wins NCAA title in 1,500 meters

Oklahoma State’s Natalja Piliusina charged down the home stretch to win the women’s 1,500 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday.

Piliusina is the second women’s individual outdoor NCAA champion in school history, joining Jackie Goodman, who won the 10,000 meters in 1989. The junior from Lithuania had twice been a runner-up in the 800.

Piliusina (4:13.25) stayed in the middle of the pack for the majority of the race and was boxed in on the inside of the track heading into the final turn. With 100 to go, Piliusina said she figured she’s was probably going to finish fifth or sixth, but then something changed.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Piliusina said. “I was in sixth or seventh on the last turn, and I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I wanted to win so badly. I started to kick and I was able to win. I can’t believe it.”

OSU’s Kirubel Erassa finished ninth in the men’s 5,000 meters.

BROOKS WINS SHOT PUT TITLE

Oklahoma’s Tia Brooks won the women’s shot put with a throw of 62 feet, 1/2 inch at the NCAA Championships.

Brooks, a senior, won the 2012 outdoor title with a throw of 60-6.

OU’s Patrick Casey was third in the men’s 1,500 meters in a time of 3:50.60. Oregon’s Mac Fleet won the race in 3:50.25. OU’s Riley Masters was 11th in 3:55.12.

GASCOIGNE SIGNED PRO CONTRACT

Oklahoma softball pitcher Michelle Gascoigne has signed a contract with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch League. “I’m excited to join the Bandits family,” Gascoigne said. “It’s a great organization, and I am thankful to be a part of it. I look forward to contributing to this great pitching staff.”

Gascoigne, chosen by Chicago with the seventh overall pick in the April 1 NPF Draft, ended her Oklahoma career on Tuesday night by pitching the team to its second national championship. She struck out 12 in a three-hit shutout as the Sooners beat Tennessee for the national title.