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Just one week ago, San Francisco track and field had never had an NCAA champion, and the Dons were still seeking the first female in school history to earn that distinction, individually or with a team. All that changed on Thursday night from historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Charlotte Taylor takes us through the race and reflects on her own historic run in Tracktown USA in this special edition coverage from the USF's director of creative video, Katie Morgan, and special slo-motion footage provided by Portland's James Vega:

On running in the national championship field for the second straight season –
It was super exciting to come back to Hayward Field where so many great runners have run here before and I think also the fans are so knowledgeable here and you can feel that on the track. It's great support all the way and especially for a long race like the 10K, that really makes a difference. The atmosphere in the stadium was great.

On Taylor's race strategy –
I knew I was in good shape. I had been training well all season, really. It had been a smooth way through, so I just wanted to go out there and show the kind of race I knew I could run. My strategy was just to try and follow that pacer as long as I could and be really patient. We talked about waiting for the right opportunity to make a move but leave it until much later in the race. I didn't want to be doing the work early on, and that's exactly how it played out. I got a smooth ride on the back of the group that took the pace. I was feeling really good and so I just had to wait for the right moment.

On making a move to the inside with 400 meters to race –
At that stage I was kind of boxed in on the inside. If I'd have had to go around the other runner, the Kansas runner, it would have been a longer run around. So I just made the most of that opportunity when I saw it. I actually thought people would come with me when I made that move. I was kind of surprised how quickly that gap opened up. I wasn't looking behind but I could see on the big screen that I was putting some distance between me and the runner behind. I think that probably just made me run faster because it was exciting that I was making that gap, and I knew at that stage that they were going to have to run really hard to close the gap in the final 200 meters. So as long as I maintained that pace it was going to be enough.

On the championship feeling –
Obviously I was going into the race aiming to win, but it's hard to really imagine how that's going to play out in reality. So in the final hundred meters I think it was just disbelief really that it was actually happening and the dream was coming true.

On the finish line moment with Alice Wright (New Mexico) and Sharon Lokedi (Kansas) –
We put a lot of work into getting to this stage and a lot of people play huge roles throughout the year, and throughout your whole running life really, and for it to accumulate in that one moment is quite special.

On the historical context of winning, and a look to the future –
Being the first woman in USF history to win a national championship is really exciting and I think it just shows the progress that we're making as a program. I'm so grateful to be a part of that, to be a part of a line that's making steps forward and will hopefully continue to do so in the future. I have some great teammates around me who I know are going to go on to do great things too. I'm excited for the future for this program at USF.
 
Read/watch more on Taylor's title-winning race:
USFDons.com - Charlotte Taylor Wins NCAA Championship
Flotrack - NCAA Day 2 Recap
LetsRun.com - Charlotte Taylor Wins 10,000 Meters

Video - 
USFDons.com - Behind the Mask; Dons Spotlight with Charlotte Taylor
USFDons.com - Race highlights
USFDons.com - Congratulations, Charlotte!
Flotrack - Post-race press conference
Flotrack - Charlotte's secret weapon - puzzles!