USATF Women’s 800 — Wily Collegian Willis In Wild Finish

TEN ENTRANTS had previously met the WC qualifying standard (1:59.00), and many others had run near or faster than that during their careers. This was destined to be a very close and competitive affair. The 3-round setup seemed to favor tactical experience and strength, even the AR holder faced a tough challenge.

That individual, now Athing Mu-Nikolayev, determined to avoid a repeat of the disaster that befell her at last year’s Trials, went to the front in her heat and stayed there. She won in an eased-up 2:00.06. A meaningless qualifying exercise eliminated only 4 of 32 entrants.

The next day’s semis were altogether different.

Nia Akins, winner of the two previous national championships, took the first in 1:58.09, the day’s fastest. Meghan Hunter, a BYU senior, led most of the way with Mu-Nikolayev, but was passed near the finish by Ajee’ Wilson. Both qualified, and Mu was eliminated, albeit with her ’25 best, 1:59.79. Also out was an off-form Juliette Whittaker, the Olympic 7th-placer.

Veteran Raevyn Rogers led the second semi most of the way until she was passed by Sage Hurta-Klecker and Maggi Congdon in the stretch. All 3 qualified, along with Valery Tobias, Congdon (1:58.42) and Tobias (1:59.40) in PRs.

List leader Addy Wiley led the third semi through a 56.9 for 400, and continued in front until yielding to NCAA champion Roisin Willis’ rush in the final 120. Wiley barely survived, her 1:59.71 only 0.08 ahead of Mu-Nikolayev’s time.

Tobias, in lane 1, led the final at the break, an indication that this would not resemble the blistering pace of the men’s 800. Willis took over before the 200, reached in a leisurely 28.6. The Stanford junior held the lead from a very tightly bunched group until just before the bell, when Akins (60.81 in front) and Hunter assumed pacing duties.

Around the penultimate curve and down the backstraight, Akins continued to lead, but the rest were too close and too congested for safety. Just shy of the homestretch, Wiley attempted to move, was bumped, knocked off her stride, and she and Rogers were forced wide and essentially out of contention.

Sensing a break, Willis powered through and held on, barely ahead of a surprising Congdon. The NCAA 1500 3rd-placer for Northern Arizona,…