Efraimson misses qualifying for 1,500 finals at U.S. championships

For three laps, Alexa Efraimson stuck with the nation’s best.

But the Camas junior faded during the final lap in her 1,500 meter preliminary heat at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif.

Her time of 4:12.89 wasn’t fast enough to qualify for Sunday’s finals. Advancing were the top four runners in each heat plus the next four fastest times.

For three laps, Efraimson stayed with a lead pack that included fellow teen phenom Mary Cain and 2011 world champion Jennifer Simpson.

Simpson was the fastest overall qualifier in 4:08.36. Cain qualified third in 4:09.08. Efraimson was seventh in her heat and outside of the top 15 overall.

Friday night, Efraimson tweeted: “Even though it wasn’t the race that I had hoped for, I learned a lot and it was really humbling being with that many great competitors.”

Friday was Efraimson’s second race against professional competition this summer. Two weeks ago, she placed 10th in the 1,500 at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York City, clocking a personal best time of 4:07.05.