BYU All-American Meghan Hunter qualified for the finals of the 800-meter run at the U.S. national track and field championships on Friday.
Hunter, a former Provo High state champion and all-classes state record holder in the 400-meter dash, took the lead from the start in the first of three semifinal heats, covering the opening lap in 57.89.
That proved to be a little too quick as she was overtaken by Olympians Nia Akins and Ajee Wilson in the final 100 meters. Akins and Wilson had the two fastest times of the day, 1:58.09 and 1:58.30.
Hunter was timed in 1:58.42, the fifth-fastest overall.
The finals of the 800-meter run will be held Sunday afternoon. The top three finishers will represent the U.S. in the world championships.
Allie Wilson, a 2024 Olympian who began training this year with BYU women’s coach Diljeet Taylor, was 14th in a time of 2:00.41.
On the men’s side, Abe Alvarado, another former BYU athlete, qualified for the men’s final. He finished third in his heat and advanced to the final based on time – 1:45.11.
In the first round of the 400-meter dash, Sami Oblad, a BYU senior from Stansbury Park, finished fourth and failed to advance to the semifinals.
Her time of 52.03 was well short of the school record she set in May of 50.49.