EUGENE, Ore. -- Willamette University star Nick Symmonds used his famous final-lap kick to blaze to victory in the Men's 800 meters race in Monday's final event at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, earning him a return trip to the Summer Olympic Games.
Symmonds outdistanced the competition in a time of 1:43.92, thanks to a blistering 27.9 second final 200-meter kick. Khadevis Robinson finished second in 144.64, with former USC star Duane Solomon third, .01 back.
PHOTO GALLERY: Symmonds blazes to victory
Symmonds once again thrilled the partisan crowd at Hayward Field with his blazing kick.
"The community has really embraced me," Symmonds said afterwards. "They give me a huge shot of adrenaline, which gives me a great advantage."
Symmonds led a sensational and memorable 1-2-3 Oregon sweep of the 800 meters at the Olympic Trials in Eugene back in 2008. This time, Symmonds has hopes for not merely competing but medaling in London.
"I want to bring a medal back so badly," said Symmonds, who noted that there are "twenty-four guys" in the semis that can win.
"It's going to come down to a lot of luck and a lot of timing. But once you make the finals, it's anyone's race."
VIDEO: Symmonds wins 800 meters at Trials
