Efraimson misses cut in 1,500 meters at U.S. Olympic trials

Alexa Efraimson of Camas did not advance out of the first round of the women’s 1,500 meters on Friday at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore.

The 24-year-old former standout runner at Camas High School and now competing for Pete Julian’s Nike-sponsored group, posted a time of 4 minutes, 16.70 seconds in the second of three first-round heats on the new Hayward Field track.

She was eighth out of nine runners in the heat, won by Dani Aragon in 4:13.34.

The top six placers in each heat plus the next six fastest times advanced to the semifinal round. Jenny Simpson had the fastest time of the first round with a 4:11.34.

Efraimson’s time was one place below the 24th and final qualifier’s time of 4:14.80.

Her only other 1,500 this year came at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in New York back in February. She was seventh with a time of 4:11.26.

Efraimson had shoulder surgery in 2020 while most of the athletic world was shut down due to the pandemic. She had won a bronze medal in the 1,500 at the 2019 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru.

At the 2015 Prefontaine Classic at old Hayward Field, Efraimson ran a personal best in the 1,500 of 4:03.39 to break the American U20 record.