DES MOINES, Iowa — For the first time in almost a year, Tennessee senior Phoebe Wright didn’t cross the finish line first in an 800 meter race, but she still wrapped up her college career with a standout performance.
For the second consecutive year, Wright, a former Red Bank athlete from Signal Mountain, finished third in the women’s 800 final at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships after a hard charge down the final stretch to pass Trenier Moser to earn the bronze.
Wright turned in the second fastest 800 time of her career at 2:00.47, behind winner Alysia Johnson at 1:59.87 and just short of Maggie Vessey at 2:00.43.
The thrid place finish was the first time Wright has not won an 800 meter event in 16 races this season. Her time was just off her personal best of 2:00.40 from last July, and the fourth best women’s 800 meter time In UT history.
In other action at Des Moins on Sunday, Wallace Spearmon finished in a wind-aided 19.77 seconds to edge Walter Dix for the 200 meter title. Dix, who won the 100 on Friday, took second in 20.14.