DES MOINES - Former Xavier High School state champion Meaghan Nelson won the 5000 meter run for university and college runners Thursday night at the 102nd Drake Relays.

Nelson is a junior at Iowa State, but she ran unattached Thursday. She has battled injuries this year and is taking a redshirt season with the ISU women's track team.

Nelson captured the 5000 in 16 minutes, 27.55 seconds. Technically, she was the unofficial winner of the race because she ran unattached. Martina Barinova of Nebraska got credit for the victory in 16:28.77, more than a second slower than Nelson.

Nelson helped Xavier win a state cross country title during her career with the Saints. She finished second in the 1500 and fourth in the 3000 at the 2008 state track meet as a senior.