FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas distance runner Colin Costello's left shin was scratched raw, and his left elbow had a matching red bruise.

In an instant, Costello's fate in the mile run at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships changed dramatically. His team's luck on Friday night shifted as well -- though in a much better way.

Despite a controversial fall by Costello toward the end of a preliminary race, the Razorbacks got a pair of impressive performances to keep their chances of repeating as national champions within striking distance.

Of course, the first day came with much uncertainty, plenty of scrutiny and several protests from those inside the Randal Tyson Track Center.

"They said (Costello) fell by himself. He just fell down on the track," Arkansas men's track and field coach John McDonnell said, clearly annoyed. "All our guys do that, you know."

Thanks to a second-place finish by senior Peter Kosgei in the 5,000-meter run and a third-place performance by freshman Alain Bailey in the long jump, the Razorbacks ended the first day tied for second with 15 points.

Arkansas, no longer the favorite to win the indoor national championship, is tied with three other teams and trail only Wisconsin by five points.

But it was Costello's fall that had McDonnell upset and the sophomore experiencing some pain in his left elbow. That didn't compare to the feeling Costello had as he sat on the track, tears streaming down his face as the race finished without him.

"It all happened so fast, but I think I was clipped from behind. It's just real disappointing," Costello said. "It's not a real strong year, so I think if I'd have been in the final, I could have had a good chance of maybe springing a surprise."

Costello made a late push to briefly take the lead of the second heat of the mile run, but it was short-lived. Only moments after pulling ahead, the sophomore fell after it appeared that he was tripped from behind while in a pack.

As the other runners continued, Costello sat on the edge of the track with his hands on his head, clearly disappointed after seeing his chances of winning the event vanish.

"A few tears came down my face," Costello said. "This is my first national championship, and as I said, it's not the strongest of years. I believe that I had a good shot at winning tomorrow."

Costello almost got that chance.

McDonnell protested Costello's fall, claiming that the runner should be able to compete in the finals of the mile run because he was tripped only after he was contacted with. At first, the games committee agreed.

A loud cheer roared through the Randal Tyson Track Center at 8:14 p.m. Friday when it was announced over the public address system that Costello would be allowed to compete in the finals.

But there was another announcement a little more than an hour later. This time the crowd was informed that Costello would not advance after track officials determined that he hadn't been tripped after all. He fell on his own.

"Several people told me he got pushed in the back, and I don't know if he fell down or what," McDonnell said. "There was some pushing at that stage up there."