Former Husky Måkestad Bovin qualifies for final of women's 1500 at European Champs...
ZÜRICH, Switzerland--Former University of Washington standout Ingvill Måkestad Bovin (above/photo courtesy Norwegian Athletics Federation) of Norway qualified for the finals of the women's 1500 by finishing fourth in the first of two heats Tuesday at the European Championships at Letzigrund Stadium.
Måkestad Bovin ran a very easy 4:13.04 to nail down the final automatic qualifying spot for Friday night's final.
As it turned out, earning that final automatic qualifier in the heat was huge, as all of the time qualifiers came out of the second heat, with 4:11.42 the last one to advance on time.
In post race quotes provided by the Norwegian athletics federation, the former Husky said, "My goal was to get into the top four. I knew I had a kick to outrun the others in the last 50 meters."
She also noted that she spent very little effort running that 4:13.04, even though she was only in fifth with about 150 meters to go.
Abeba Aregawi of Sweden won the heat in 4:11.64.
In the men's discus, another former Husky, Märt Israel of Estonia, who has struggled the last two seasons with injuries, did not record a mark in the men's discus qualifying Tuesday night.
Måkestad Bovin returns to run in the first round of the women's 800 Wednesday.
NOTE: The Norsk Friidrett (Norwegian Athletics Federation) and European Athletics contributed to this report.
Comments