With so many notable races at the Millrose Games and across the NCAA, we wanted to highlight some of the performances that were the biggest breakthroughs over the weekend. Here are some of the athletes that rose to the occasion against intense competition. 

Shelby Houlihan Smashing Her 5K PR By 43 Seconds

Known for her outstanding range, Bowerman Track Club’s Shelby Houlihan threw down a jaw-dropping performance in the 5K at the Millrose Games. The former Arizona State NCAA Champion finished fifth in 15:06, which is a 43-second improvement from her previous personal best of 15:49 from the NCAA Championships last June. Houlihan is known for her talent in the shorter events, notably her NCAA title in the 1500m and her blazing fast 800m personal best of 2:01, but the performance on Saturday showed that she has the potential to be dangerous in the longer distances as well. 

After her 15:06.22 PB at #NYRRMillroseGames, I think @shelbo800 has to change her @Twitter handle to @shelbo5000. pic.twitter.com/fbYZnz9gH0

— David Monti (@d9monti) February 21, 2016

Robby Andrews Running a Huge PR in the Mile

Although he didn’t finish top three in the race, Worlds finalist Robby Andrews walked away with a huge personal best in the mile at Saturday’s Millrose Games. Andrews finished fourth overall in a race where Matt Centrowitz ran 3:50.63, the fourth fastest indoor mile ever. Andrews closed in 3:53.16, which improved his personal best by four seconds as he ran 3:57 in the outdoor mile last June. Not only did Andrews improve upon his mile personal best, but the performance marks his fastest 1500m/mile season opener to date. 

3:53.16 finally a miler!! Thank you all for the support!! @adidasrunning @jasonvigilante1 @RayPFlynn @MillroseGames

— Robby Andrews (@RA_Andrews) February 21, 2016

Blake Haney Running an NCAA Lead

Oregon sophomore Blake Haney took full advantage of the ridiculously fast Wanamaker Mile field by contending with pros on his way to an NCAA lead and massive personal best in the mile. In just his second indoor mile ever, the 19-year-old finished eighth at the Millrose Games with a time of 3:56.36. The performance improved upon his previous mile PR of 3:59, which he ran just three weeks ago in Fayetteville.   

Raevyn Rogers Landing the No. 2 800m in NCAA History

In a race that included Ajee Wilson and Brenda Martinez running the No. 1 and No. 2 times in the world this year, Oregon’s Raevyn Rogers closed for a mark that earned her the second-fastest indoor 800m in NCAA history. The NCAA Champion ran 2:00.90 at the Millrose Games, which is No. 2 all-time in the NCAA record books, right behind former Tennessee standout Nicole Cook’s mark of 2:00.75. Just a sophomore, Rogers now owns the top mark heading into the NCAA Championships by three seconds. 

A little Deja Vu! Raevyn Rogers sets a school record in the 800 and runs the second fastest time in NCAA history! 2:00.90! #GoDucks

— Oregon Track & Field (@OregonTF) February 20, 2016

Joshua Thompson and Oklahoma State DMR Domination

In a nail-biting performance, the Oklahoma State Cowboys not only won the ultra-competitive Alex Wilson distance medley relay, but also notched the third-fastest time in NCAA history. With a quartet of Chad Noelle, Brandon Singleton, Tre’Tez Kinnaird and Josh Thompson, the Cowboys smashed their previous season’s best by nine seconds with a time of 9:26.60. Mile anchor leg Joshua Thompson had a notable run as the sophomore split a 3:56 mile to claim the victory for the NCAA-leading squad. His open mile personal best was 4:11 prior to the 2016 indoor season, before he ran 3:58 at the Husky Classic last week. The team's effort earned them the Tasty Race of the Week honor.