After reviewing her résumé, which includes an indoor and outdoor national title in the event, the goal seemed within reach.
But a disappointing performance in the shot put at the Drake Relays left Hillman searching for answers. And for the first five of her six attempts in the shot put at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship on Saturday, it seemed unlikely she would regain her championship form.
After reaching a mark of 54-feet-2-inches in her fifth throw, Hillman talked with her coach, Fletcher Brooks.
"[Brooks] told me, ‘You have one more big one in you. You know you do.