The 800 metres includes three races in four days at the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

Notre Dame junior Thomas Chamney easily advanced from Wednesday's opening round race.

Chamney, 22, ran a relaxed personal best of 1.48.45 to place third in Heat 1 of 4. Chamney moved on as an automatic qualifier.

He discusses the race, "In the first round I just wanted to put myself in a position close to the front throughout. We were out kind of slow in 53mid but I knew that would suit me more then Marcus Mayes (from Missouri) or Tim Harris (from Miami). I felt under control the whole way and moved into second with 150 to go. In the straight Langat (TCU) moved past me but I stayed relaxed and ran to finish third. When I saw the time I was delighted because it felt easy to run 1:48 and we had gone out so slow. I knew I'd crack a fast one in the semi."

Competing in the semifinal, Chamney had to finish in the top three or be one of the next two fastest times to qualify for Saturday's final. Once again, the Irish lad from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, was at a disadvantage being in the first of two semifinal races. Chamney did advance as the fastest loser. He also etched off .75 seconds off his one-day old personal best.

If he could mange to knock off a half-second in Saturday's final, he'd meet the extremely tough European Championship Standard of 1.47.20.

Chamney talked about his latest personal best and the road to final, "In the semifinal, I ran a poor tactical race. Mumba [Prince Mumba, Oral Roberts University] tore off at the start and I got left behind a little bit off the break. I spent from 400 to 200 to go just putting myself back in position to try and attack. Coming into the straight, I was flying but I'd left myself a tonne of work to do. I knew beforehand though that my best bet was to try to make it in as a fastest loser and I was over the moon with the time [1:47.70]."

Qualifying for the 800m final, Chamney assured himself All-American status in both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships. In fact, only Chamney and Mumba qualified for the 800m final in both the indoor and outdoor championships. Chamney placed sixth in both races. Despite running another personal best, Chamney was not all smiles after Saturday's final as he had narrowly missed the European Championship standard of 1.47.20.

He told irishrunner.com about the race, "I never felt comfortable in the final. Straight away I think I could tell that the 2 races in the 3 days prior had left me fatigued. With 300 to go I was just praying I didn't end up last! It took me so long to get into my running but I think I faired just about right coming sixth. I closed hard again over the last 100 but again I had left myself so much to do. Maybe if I'd have run it differently I could've taken 4th but I think Brown, Bayley and Mumba were just too far ahead. I really can't complain though with three PBs in 4 days. I was hoping to get the Euro standard but didn't quite manage it."

Chamney, 22, has a full agenda of races in upcoming weeks focusing on the goal of reaching the Europeans.

He outlined his strategy, "My summer plans are definitely now going to be all about getting the standard. I ran two 1:47s in races where I let myself down tactically so I know I can break out a 1:46 in a non-championship style race. I'm heading to the Europa Cup next week before taking some time away from racing to recharge the batteries. Then in July I'm heading to a meet in Germany and maybe another one in Spain to try and get it. I'm a little frustrated I didn't do it at NCAAs but I know that in the right race I'll do it. Now it's just a matter of getting lucky and getting in the right one."