Canadian Erin Teschuk runs U.S. collegiate-leading mile

Canadian Erin Teschuk wasted no time in putting herself atop the NCAA Division I mile list running the fastest time in the United States on Saturday.

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The standout from North Dakota State University in Fargo ran 4:37.49 to win the Bison Classic by 12 seconds. Because the race was run on a 200m flat track, Teschuk’s time converts to a 4:34.77, good for tops in the NCAA.

“Going into this meet, it was more about getting in a hard effort,” said Teschuk, a Winnipeg native, following the race. “See where we’re at and from there just keep getting faster.”

Andrew Carlson, the NDSU track and field assistant coach, noted that Teschuk’s training cycle is geared towards making a big push towards the summer season as the Olympic Games approach in August.

The 21-year-old’s time on Saturday was also a facility record.

Teschuk holds the NDSU school record of 4:32.35 when she finished fifth at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. She represented Canada at the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing running the 3,000m steeplechase.

RELATED: Justyn Knight leads team to win NCAA Cross-Country Championships.

Earlier this fall, Teschuk finished 26th at the NCAA Cross-Country Championships and was the first Bison to have ever qualified for the meet at the Division I level.

Also on Saturday, Canadian Brendon Rodney of Long Island University ran the second fastest 400m time in the U.S., clocking 46.62 at the 2016 Great Dane Classic. His time broke the 13-year-old indoor 400m school record.