BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After freshman Kaitlyn Long broke the school record, set the NSIC record and launched the sixth-best throw in Division II history already in her first season, most would be content with such accolades and look forward to even greater feats the second time around.

Not Long.

The Winona State freshman used a throw of 68' 8 3/4" to win the national championship in the weight throw Friday afternoon at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham.

"Being in an environment like that can make anybody nervous," said Winona State head coach Mason Rebarchek. "To be as confident and poised as she was – she shows it week in and week out – but for a freshman to come in and control the nerves, that's pretty remarkable."

Long stood in third place after the first three throws with a heave of 66' ½" as the field was cut in half. But Long saved her best for last, tossing her championship-securing throw of 68' 8 ¾" on her fifth attempt out of six tries. Junior Heaven Warner of Central Missouri also recorded her best throw in her fifth attempt, but it fell short of Long's mark at 68' 6". Senior Shatora Lewis of Ashland took third after setting the top mark in Division II earlier this season with a throw of 70' 1 ¾".

The throw from Long was the second farthest in NCAA Indoor Championship history, and she used the throw to beat out four of the top seven weight throwers in Division II history in the event.

"In my 11 years I can't think of anything more impressive than what she did," said throws coach Mike Turgeon. "For how young she is, normally it's an event won by athletes in their junior or senior year. I can't say I've seen a sophomore win, let alone a freshman."

Long – the only freshman to compete in the event at the national championship – broke her own school record of 68' 5 3/4" earlier this season and the mark still is the sixth-best throw in Division II history.

Long's title marks the third individual national championship for the Winona State track and field program and the second Warrior to win a national championship in the indoor season and in the weight throw. Mary Theisen was the last Warrior to claim a national title, winning the discus at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in 2011. Emily King earned WSU's first national title, also winning the indoor weight throw title in 2007.

"Super excited for her to come here to the national meet in an event five months after learning it and finish with the second farthest throw in Division II championship history. When she walked out for the first throw and threw the second best throw of her life, I knew it was going to be a good day for us," said Turgeon.

"It's pretty remarkable to think that a year ago at this time she was a high schooler playing basketball and now she she's an NCAA Division II national champion," said Rebarchek.

Winona State senior Alissa Rausch also had a fine performance in the event, recording a throw of 57' 7 ½" to finish 12^th out of 18 competitors in the event. Rausch also will compete in the shot put finals on Saturday, and the 4x400 meter relay team also will represent the Warriors.