Track and Field: Strath Haven grad Allie Wilson qualifies for Paris Olympics in 2nd place in 800

Allie Wilson is going to the Olympics.

The Strath Haven graduate finished second in a dramatic final of the women’s 800 meters at U.S. Olympic Trials late Monday night in Eugene, Oregon. Her time of 1:58.32 met the Olympic qualifying standard for the first time, giving her a chance to be one of three runners to represent the U.S. in Paris this summer.

Not among that group is Athing Mu, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 800, who fell just after the 200-meter mark and couldn’t get back into the field. A tearful Mu crossed the line in ninth.

Seventh in the final was Raevyn Rogers, who won bronze in Tokyo. She was one of six runners in the final to have already achieved the Olympic standard.

Wilson was not one of them, nor was Juliette Whittaker, who finished third. Both are going to their first Olympics, as is Nia Akins, the Penn grad and San Diego native who went a personal-best 1:57.36 to win Monday’s race. Whittaker’s 1:58.45 was also a PB.

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