Two one of the fastest high school girls in United States history found themselves mixing it up with the Kenyans and Ethiopians in the women's 1500 meter finals at the 2014 World Junior Championships between Elise Cranny from Colorado and Alexa Efraimson from Washington. While Cranny got boxed in before the bell lap, Efraimson found herself right in the top 3 between the Ethiopians and Kenyans with a World Juniors medal finish in sight until the final stretch, but the top 3 of East Africans ultimately pulled away and Cranny finally sprung free to close fast to edge Efraimson late and grab fourth.
Efraimson, who got spiked pretty good on her shin at some point during the race, faded slightly at the very end to finish a gutsy sixth place with a time of 4:13.31. Cranny's finish (and time of 4:12.82) ended up ranking her as the best United States finisher ever in a World Juniors women's 1500 meter final. Two likely future Olympic 1500 meter finalists for the United States in Cranny and Efraimson? We think so. They are certainly not afraid to challenge and race against the East Africans.
Watch the two likely future Olympians in Cranny and Efraimson compete in the World Juniors women's 1500 final above and their post-race interviews below.
Elise Cranny Post-Race Interview
Alexa Efraimson Post-Race Interview