Former University of Akron standout Clayton Murphy advanced to the semifinals in the 800-meter run at the United States Olympic Trials on Friday in Eugene, Ore.
Murphy won his heat and had the seventh-fastest time of 1:47.61 to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
The top eight will advance to Monday night’s final.
The top three in the final, who also have reached the Olympic qualifying standard of 1:46 (which Murphy has met), make the Olympic team.