Olympic Trials: Mulder boxed out of London trip

EUGENE, Ore. - It hit Tyler Mulder five minutes after the race.

The former Unity Christian star finished fifth in the finals of the 800-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, just .37 seconds away from punching his ticket to the London Olympics.

Just a minute into the post-race interview, the impact of just how close he came overwhelmed him and with tears in his eyes, he understood that his dreams of making the Olympics this year walked away.

The race was fast, as many suspected it would be with the leaders crossing the midway point in under 50 seconds.

Mulder, and favorite Nick Symmonds, stayed in the back of the pack, and when they hit the backstretch all eight runners had started to bunch up. Unfortunately for Mulder he was against the rail with nowhere to go.

When things opened up with 100 meters to go it was too late, and even though he made a late push, there was just too much ground to make up.

“I ran myself into a box, so it was a tactical mistake on my part,” said Mulder. “It was my own fault really.

“I did not want to be there but I didn't have a choice.”

Mulder has the footspeed to race anyone in the world, but without finishing in the top three the former UNI champ couldn't put that trait to good use until the race had already been decided.

“I knew it was going to come down to the last 100 meters,” said Mulder. “I thought I still had a chance.”

Symmonds, Khadevis Robinson and Duane Solomon will be heading to the Olympics while the first lap leader, Charles Jock, slipped all the way back to eighth.

Four years ago, after his junior year at UNI, Mulder made it to Eugene and the Olympic Trials but failed to make the final. This time around he made the final and was oh-so-close to making it to London.

The story isn't over for Mulder, who is relatively young for track and field athletes, and will more than likely have at least one more shot at making the Olympics and possibly two.

Hopefully for Mulder, four years from now the tears he will be shedding will be of joy and not sorrow.

But for now, coming so close still keeps him far away.