2017 IAAF World Championships

Rookie Johnny Gregorek Is Lone American In World 1500m Final

Rookie Johnny Gregorek Is Lone American In World 1500m Final

Johnny Gregorek is the lone American to qualify for the IAAF World Championships 1500m final.

Aug 11, 2017 by Johanna Gretschel
Rookie Johnny Gregorek Is Lone American In World 1500m Final
Johnny Gregorek, whose run this week at the 2017 IAAF World Championships marks his career debut at worlds, is the lone American to advance to the 1500m finals by virtue of a strong kick today in London.

The 25-year-old picked his competitors off one-by-one in the final 400m to move up in the field and cross the line in seventh place, two spots outside of automatic advancement. His time of 3:38.68 was faster than everyone in heat one and so he -- along with Olympic bronze medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand -- advanced to the final based on time.

Over the last 400m, he told himself, "'C'mon, Johnny G!'" he revealed to Lewis Johnson after the race.

He ran in the second heat, just minutes after U.S. champion Robby Andrews dropped out of his semi-final with just over a lap remaining when his calf muscle cramped. Yesterday, track nation was shocked to see reigning Olympic champion Matthew Centrowitz eliminated from worlds with a last-place performance in his preliminary race.

Men's 1500m finalists:

RANK ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
1 Jakub Holuša Czech Republic 3:38.05Q
2 Timothy Cheruiyot Kenya 3:38.24Q
3 Marcin Lewandowski Poland 3:38.32Q
4 Chris O'Hare UK 3:38.59Q
5 Fouad Elkaam Morocco 3:38.64Q
6 Nicholas Willis New Zealand 3:38.68q
7 John Gregorek USA 3:38.68q
8 Elijah Manangoi Kenya 3:40.10Q
9 Asbel Kiprop Kenya 3:40.14Q
10 Filip Ingebrigtsen Norway 3:40.23Q
11 Sadik Mikhou Bahrain 3:40.52Q
12 Adel Mechaal Spain 3:40.60Q