Emily Richards finishes seventh in her heat, 12th overall in the semifinals of the 800-meter run at the 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships

By Tim Glon

| USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships site |

DES MOINES, Iowa — Ohio Northern alum Emily Richards (Delaware/Hayes) finished seventh in her heat and 12th overall in 2:02.78 in the semifinals of the women's 800-meter run at the 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships on Friday evening at Drake Stadium.

The top four finishers in each of the four two heats advanced to Sunday's finals, which will be broadcast nationally on NBC at 4:04 pm (EST).

Running professionally for HOKA NJNYTC, Richards was in fourth place after the first lap, which she ran in a quick 59.05. Her 2:02.78 was her second-fastest time of the season, but was not enough to get to the finals.

"Emily ran a solid race," ONU head coach Jason Maus said. "It was her second-fastest time of the season. It was just a very fast race overall. She ran well and has nothing to be ashamed of. Another awesome experience for her."

On Thursday, Richards advanced to the semifinals by finishing fourth in her heat and 13th overall in 2:03.35.

The 9-time NCAA Division III Champion, 13-time All-American and two-time Academic All-American is making her second appearance at the yearly American championships meet in the 800-meter run.

Richards entered the meet ranked fifth nationally and 48th in the world in the event with a season-best time of 2:00.67, which she ran at the Music City Classic in Nashville in June.

Last season, Richards reached the finals and finished eighth at the championships meet in 2:01.74.

She is the fastest collegian in the event among all divisions this season and owns the NCAA Division III record in the event with a 2:00.62 clocking in 2017.

Richards graduated from Ohio Northern with a degree in chemistry this May.