Waukesha Native Eyes World Track and Field Championships

Waukesha’s Erik Sowinski is running the 800 meters this weekend at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, IA, with an eye on a spot in the World Championships.

The Daily Iowan briefly documented his remarkable rise over the last five years. A Waukesha West grad, Sowinski wasn’t even going to run NCAA Division I track until Iowa made a late — and small — scholarship offer. By his senior year in 2012, he had become an indoor and outdoor All-American in the 800 meters.

This February, as a last-minute alternate for the 600 meters at the prestigious Millrose Games, all Sowinski did was set the American indoor record at 1:15.61. With that, Nike came calling with a sponsorship.

The first round of the men’s 800 at the national championships is Thursday and the final is Sunday. The top three finishers qualify for the world championships in Moscow in August.

Follow Sowinski on Twitter @eSowinski.