Mulder, Sowinski on verge of Moscow berth in 800

DES MOINES – They've been here before.

On the precipice of qualifying to be a member of Team USA at the World Championships, that is. Iowa grad Erik Sowinski and UNI grad Tyler Mulder are once again on to the 800m men's final after advancing out of their semifinal last night at the USA Track and Field Championships.

“I kind of got burned out (last year),” Sowinski said. “I feel really, really strong (this year). It's a good sign (that) my speed's there. I feel like I've got a lot left in the tank (for the final).”

Coming so close in the past, coupled with recent success for both Sowinski and Mulder leaves both yearning for what's to come.

Both have run well in the 800 this year already, with Mulder entering the meet as the American leader at 1:44.79. Sowinski came in with the 10th best American time this year at 1:46.05. Mulder and Sowinski finished second and third, respectively, in their semifinal, Mulder clocking in at 1:45.24, Sowinski at 1:45.29.

“I haven't been in a race like this (this year),” Sowinski said. “I got my (personal record) and the A-Standard by a hundredth, so it's nice to get that out of the way.

“It's a lot of fun, and we're on to the finals.”

Both runners came out of the semifinal very happy, and eager to see how the final plays out. Mulder led until right at the end, when Nicholas Symmonds nipped him at the line to clock a 1:45.22. He said he really liked the pace of the semifinal, and it sets him up for success in the final.

“Everything's in place, just have the small things to get ready for the show on Sunday,” Mulder said. “I didn't have to go through the 1:44 (pace) quite yet, so I left more in the tank for (the final).”

All that's left now is to close the deal and punch their tickets to Moscow.

Though he lost his American mark last night, Mulder enters the final with an eye on the top spot of the podium. But if taking silver or bronze means he's on Team USA, it's something he can live with.

“I want to make the team so bad,” Mulder said. “I've had multiple opportunities and come close. I don't want to be close, I want to be on the team. I want to win it.

“If I fall short, second or third, it's OK. But I'm here to win it.”

Mulder and Sowinski weren't the only runners eyeing more success at Drake Stadium on Friday.

Two-time Olympian and social media butterfly Lolo Jones grabbed attention – for something other than a Twitter or Vine post – by setting a new Drake Stadium record in the women's 100m hurdles at 12.50 seconds. She qualified for the semis in the 100m hurdles with the third best time, as Brianna Rollins and Queen Harrison ran wind-aided times of 12.33 and 12.44, respectively.

“I'm not worried so much about the time, but about the place,” Jones said. “I'm pleased with it, but I'm sure that record will be short-lived. I think it's going to be an amazing, competitive final.”

Jones was joined in the Drake Stadium record books by the fastest American in history, Tyson Gay. The owner of the world's second-best-ever 100m dash at 9.69, Gay beat Justin Gatlin to win with a 9.75. Gay also ran a 9.75 in the semi-final, but that was wind-aided.

Gatlin – fresh off beating Usain Bolt in Rome last month – got his spot on Team USA with a 9.89.

“(Today) went good,” Gay said. “I could put together a better race at the start, but I felt good.

“It's not bad, though, two 9.7s in one day.”

The USA Track and Field Championships continue today and Sunday in Des Moines. Mulder and Sowinski are set to compete in the 800m men's final at 3:13 p.m.