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Iowa State University Athletics
Gomez Advances to NCAA Championships Men's 800m Final
06.08.2022 | Track and Field
EUGENE, Oregon – Jason Gomez earned a spot in the final of the men's 800 meter run with a huge second-lap surge on the first day of the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field. Gomez's run earned him a chance to run for a national title on Friday night.
"I felt really good today," Gomez said after the race. "I DNF'd last year here and during this outdoor season, I have been healthy and running the times I know I am capable of."
Gomez was in the back of the pack after the first lap, but coming out of the second turn made a move to the outside in lane four to go from back to front by the time he entered turn three. Gomez had the heat win and an automatic qualifying spot in the bag, easing up in the final steps to save some energy for Friday's final at 9:14 p.m. Central. Even with the commanding heat win, Gomez still set a new outdoor personal best and matched his overall personal best in 1:47.02.
Cebastian Gentil was unable to complete the race, pulling out after 300 meters. He will still earn Honorable Mention All-America honors, his third All-America honor of his career, his first outdoor (the previous two coming indoors in the distance medley relay) and his first individual honor.
A fast first heat made of the men's 1,500m made getting into the top-five crucial for Too. After a relaxed first lap that saw him in 10th place, Too made an aggressive move to second behind Alabama's Eliud Kipsang with two laps to go. Too was hanging onto fifth at the bell, but was in a tight pack with all 12 within two seconds of each other. Too was in eighth with 100 meters to go and was part of a sprint to the line, but missed out on advancing by 0.34 seconds in 13th place in 3:40.01.
Too, who set Iowa State's school record in the event in 3:39.15 at the NCAA West Preliminaries two weeks ago, earned Second Team All-America honors for his efforts on Wednesday, his third career All-America honor, his first outdoors and first individually after earning his previous two as part of indoor distance medley relays.
Up Next
Iowa State is back in action at the NCAA Track and Field Championships on Friday, with Kevin Sakson competing in the men's discus at 7:35 p.m. Central, Gomez in the 800m final at 9:14 p.m. Central and Ryan Ford running in the 5,000-meter run at 9:55 p.m. Central.
Iowa State Results
800m Run Semifinals (M): 1. Navasky Anderson, Mississippi State – 1:45.94; 6. Jason Gomez, Iowa State – 1:47.02; Cebastian Gentil, Iowa State – DNF
1,500m Run Semifinals (M): 1. Jonathan Davis, Illinois – 3:37.39; 13. Nehemia Too, Iowa State – 3:40.01
Players Mentioned
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