There is more than one way to achieve an All-American title in track and field.

Senior Colleen Ramharak triple-jumped her way into the top eight for an All-American title at Friday and Saturday’s NCAA national meet in Fayetteville, Ark. Ramharak’s seventh-place jump of 43-6 was the second-best jump of her indoor career.

Junior Mike Inge took a more direct route, snatching All-American honors by running the 800 meters.

Inge, who bolted to a 1:47.84 in the 800 meters Saturday, finished fifth. He said the hardest part of competing in the 800 at the national level is getting good position for the last push, the last few hundred meters of the run.

“Everyone has the same relative ability, so it’s harder to make your move because everyone is doing the same thing,” Inge said.

Senior Adrian Ghioroaie, in his first trip to the NCAA meet since 2002, placed 12th in the triple jump with a 50-10.25 performance.

Senior Breann Smith finished 12th in the shot put with a 51-0 throw while junior Pawel Dutkiewicz narrowly missed All-American honors, finishing ninth in the long jump with a distance of 24-11.

The team now prepares for the outdoor season, which starts with the Shamrock Invitational Friday in Conway, S.C. This weekend was the last of the indoor meets.

“Our goals don’t change much when we begin outdoor season,” coach Wendel McRaven said. “As always, the main goal is to battle for the Mid-American Conference Championship.”

The men’s team didn’t win the MAC in the indoor competition last year but went on and took the crown in the outdoor competition.

Contact track and field reporter Josh Echt at [email protected].