DES MOINES, Iowa — Neither Zoe Buckman nor Andrew Wheating ran in the NCAA Championships in 2007.

A year later, the two Oregon sophomores could make college track history — giving one school a sweep of national titles at 800 meters.

The unexpected pullout by California’s Alysia Johnson, the defending champion, clears the way for Buckman. The 19-year-old Australian, who was second to Johnson in the Pac-10 and West Regional, ran the fastest time in Thursday’s semifinals.

Does that make her Saturday’s favorite?