Lewiston native Isaiah Harris finished fourth in the men’s 800-meter final at the United States Olympic track and trials, narrowly missing a spot on the U.S. team.
Harris’ time of 1 minute, 44.58 seconds was his season-best and faster than the Olympic Standard time, so he qualifies as the first alternate. The top three finishers automatically earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
Starting out of Lane 9, Harris, who runs professionally for Nike, pulled right into the front of the pack at the 100-meter mark, the spot that everyone could move from their designated lane into the first lane. Harris was in third place after the first 200 meters, with a time of about 25 seconds.
Donavan Brazier, the 2019 World Champion in the event, took the lead right before the 400-meter mark. Harris was firmly part of the lead pack, finishing the first 400 in 51.46, the fourth fastest.
In the second lap, Harris was in fifth at the 600-meter marker and geared up to make his kick to the finish that has carried him throughout his career. While Brazier, the heavy favorite, fell to the back of the group, Harris battled with Bryce Hoppel, who finished third in 1:44.14, second-place Isaiah Jewett (1:43.85) and winner Clayton Murphy (1:43.17).
Harris tried to pass Hoppel after the last turn, but his final kick faded near the end of the race.
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