Cain, the 17-year-old upstart, finished the 1,500-meter semifinal race in 4:05.21, the fourth fastest overall time, qualifying her to race against the top athletes of all ages
The runners with the top five times in each heat moved on to the finals. The next two quickest finishers also advanced to the championship to make it an even dozen participants vying for a spot on the podium on Thursday.
The incoming Bronxville High School senior was the fastest American qualifier, ahead of former world champion Jenny Simpson (4:05.79) who finished third in the second heat. The top finisher was Australian Zoe Buckman (4:04.82) followed by Kenyan Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon (4:04.83) and Elena Korobkina (4:05.18), of Russia. Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, who had the fastest time in the preliminary round finished just behind Cain with a 4:05.23).
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