Camas runner Alexa Efraimson cruised through 1,500-meter qualifying Friday at the IAAF U20 World Championships in Bydgoczsz, Poland.
The 19 year old had the second-fastest preliminary time, easily grabbing one of 12 spots in Sunday’s final. Her time of 4 minutes, 13.12 seconds was behind only Kenya’s Winfred Nzisa Mbithe, who won that preliminary heat in 4:12.39.
Efraimson, who holds the U.S. junior record in the 1,500, is looking to become the first American woman to win a medal in the 1,500 at the U20 World Championships.
Efraimson is coming off a sixth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials on July 10.
“(Poland) was the goal all season,” Efraimson said in a video interview with Flotrack. “The Olympic Trials were really good stimulation in terms of rounds and competition level so I think this will be relatively equivalent. I learned a lot from all three of those races, so hopefully I can bring that knowledge and experience here.”
She told Flotrack she feels she’s in the best shape of her life and that her goal Sunday is to win a medal.
This is Efraimson’s second time in the World U20 Championships, making her one of the more experienced runners in the field. Two years ago, she placed sixth in what was then known as the World Junior Championships in Eugene, Ore.
