Middle-distance runner Abbie Hetherington's US indoor track season is going from strength to strength after she claimed another victory.

The Oklahoma State University athlete's latest success came in the Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Ames, Iowa.

Hetherington, from Wigton, cruised through the qualifying rounds, winning the 1,000m heat.

She slashed two seconds off her personal best time in the process as she finished in a time of two minutes and 47 seconds.

The 1000m final was an even faster affair, with Hetherington again breaking her PB by another two seconds, racing home to take the Big 12 Gold ahead of her nearest rivals.

"It feels amazing," said Hetherington on the win. "I've always been close but not close enough.

"Ever since the end of the cross country season, I decided to step it up and just see what could happen."

Hetherington sat out last year's indoor track season due to injury but has come back even stronger this season, gaining personal best times in the 800m and 1000m, winning five out of six races since returning to America after the Christmas break.

She added: "My plan was to win. I just really really wanted to win.

"My coach told me before the final that no one was going to beat me today - and I just had to go and prove her right."

Hetherington, 21, hopes her successful indoor season can continue in the US outdoor track season which will begin in April.