OSTRAVA, Czech Republic - Jordan Hasay's second-best 1,500 meter time was good for silver Friday in the biggest race of her young life to date.

The 15-year-old Arroyo Grande resident, a junior-to-be at Mission Prep, was introduced to some of the team running tactics Kenyans have used for years in international racing. She overcame them well enough to finish second, and earn a silver medal, in 4:17.24 in the girls 1,500 final at the World Youth Championships at the Vitkovice Arena track.

Her time was just off the 4:16.98 she ran to win the U.S. Junior Nationals meet at Indianapolis, and break the sophomore national class record, June 23.

Kenyan Sammary Cherotich was on a roll as the girls 1,500 final started Friday, and she kept it going to take gold. Cherotich won in a personal best 4:15.47.

She won the second qualifying heat Wednesday in 4:19.44, her PR until Friday. Hasay won the first heat Wednesday.

Hasay, the second U.S. girl ever to qualify for a World Youth Championships or World Juniors 1,500 final, Friday became the first U.S. female ever to medal in one of those races.

She did it under some hardship. “This didn't really go according to my race plan,” Hasay told the USATF afterward.

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“I was going to let the Kenyans (Cherotich and 2006 WYC record setter Sheila Chepkirui Kiprotich) lead, but I just kind of went for it when I saw they were teaming up on me.

“My legs were pretty heavy at the end. I was just trying to hang on.”

She did. Hasay pulled away from bronze medalist Kiprotich (4:19.26) to secure the silver medal.

Hasay's finish, coupled with her title at Indy, wraps up a banner track summer for her.

She generally runs her best 1,500-1,600 times off a fast early pace, and the first 800 Friday was quick. Hasay was second, in 2:16.08, at the end of it.

Hasay led, at 3:07.98, with a lap to go. The medalists and Ethiopian Bertuloen Feyisa, had gapped the rest of the field by then. The other three left Feyisa, who wound up fifth, with 400 meters left.

Cherotich passed Hasay with 300 meters left, and Hasay gave chase. She couldn't close much, though, although she pulled away from Kiprotich in the last 200.

After unofficially breaking Mary Decker's eighth-grade U.S. girls mile mark, Hasay was billed as one of the most promising U.S. prep girls distance runners to come along in years as she entered high school. She's fulfilled that promise.

Her international debut is in the books as a success, adding more luster to her status, at 15, among the best U.S. prep girls distance runners in history.

With her time Friday, Hasay now owns the third and fourth-fastest prep U.S. girls 1,500 times ever. Kim Gallagher ran 4:16.6 in 1982. Francie Larrieu ran 4:16.8 in 1969. Polly Plumer matched that in 1982.

With her 4:16.98 and 4:17.24, Hasay has two top-40 U.S. female 1,500 times for 2007. That top list includes college and professional runners. At press time, Hasay was the only high schooler on the list.

The USATF had originally invited Hasay to run the 3,000 at Ostrava. On June 23, the organization asked her if she wanted to switch races and she eventually decided to do so.

Hasay's finish Friday was the latest success in a slew of them for her.

Since she's entered high school, Hasay has become a four-time national champion (2005 Foot Locker, 2007 Junior Nationals in cross country, two Junior National titles in track), a four-time state champion (twice in cross country, twice in track), and a two-time West Regional champion in cross country.

“It is my first international trip, and it is a good experience,” Hasay said to the USATF Friday. “It is good to be here, away from the usual pressure.”

Her summer travels finally at an end - after she gets home, that is - Hasay will look toward the 2007 cross country season.

July 14, 2007