Washington alum Luke Houser of Woodinville earns bronze medal in 1500m at world indoor champs...
NANJING, China--University of Washington alum Luke Houser (photo courtesy USA Track & Field), who put himself into the mix after winning Friday's heat, finished third in the men's 1500 meters Sunday evening on the final day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships at the Cube Gymnasium.
The Woodinville native, a two time NCAA indoor mile champion and first year pro, put himself in the conversation as a possible medal contender after winning his heat in 3:41.16.
As the race unfolded, Seattle resident and former UW volunteer coach Sam Prakel took the lead through the first 400 meters in a modest 61.96, with Houser tucked behind.
Prakel continued to hold the lead through 600 with Houser just behind, but as the field approached the 800 meter mark, heavy favorite Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway, already the world indoor champion at 3000 meters, began to assert himself to the field, with Mariano Garcia of Spain and former Eugene resident Neil Gourley of Great Britain jumping past Prakel and Houser.
Houser battled his way back into fourth entering the final lap, as Ingebrigtsen opened up a gap on the field. Gourley and Houser, who were side by side with 100 meters to go, made a late run towards Ingebrigtsen, but could not close the gap.
Ingebrigtsen won his second world title of the weekend, running 3:38.79, with Gourley second at 3:39.07, and Houser third at 3:39.17.
Prakel, who was ninth at the 2022 world indoor championships at this distance, replicated his placing, running 3:44.48.
Afterwards, Houser told reporters in the mixed zone, “I came into this race, stepping on the line, I knew I could I could get a medal. I knew I was capable of doing it, but actually going out there and doing it is a whole different thing. I’m just so happy I could get that done. It's a dream come true to be out there competing with the world's best.”
Courtesy of NBC Sports, here's video of the race:
In the men's 800 meter final, Brandon Miller of the Brooks Beasts boldly went to the lead in front of American teammate Josh Hoey in an effort to steal the race, but his efforts went for naught, as he faded to fifth, running 1:46.44.
Hoey, a notorious frontrunner, and the world leader in the event this season at 1:43.24, took the victory at 1:44.77.
Earlier in the day, Washington State senior Micaela De Mello of Brazil had a strong start, and finished third in her first round heat of the women's 60 hurdles, running 8.06.
However in the semifinals, she did not have a good start, and appeared to be laboring, possibly with some sort of injury. She clipped the penultimate hurdle, throwing herself off balance, then pushed the final hurdle.
NOTE: World Athletics and USA Track & Field contributed to this report.
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