Symmonds Finishes Second in 800 at Adidas Grand Prix

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nick Symmonds '06, who competed for Willamette University in track and field and cross country from 2002-03 through 2005-06, took second place in the 800-meter run against a strong field at the Adidas Grand Prix on Saturday, June 12. Symmonds registered a time of 1:45.05.

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi of South Africa, the 2009 world champion in the 800, won the event with a time of 1:44.38. Symmonds was followed by Alfred Kirwa Yego of Kenya, who finished third in 1:45.46. Khadevis Robinson of the United States placed fourth at 1:45.77 and Karjuan Williams, also from the U.S., was fifth in 1:46.59.

Symmonds won a total of seven NCAA Division III national championships in track and field while running for Willamette. He won four national titles in the 800-meter run and added three titles in the 1,500-meter run.

Symmonds has earned one USA outdoor championship and two runner-up finishes in the 800. He also has claimed two USA indoor 800 titles. He reached the semifinals of the 800 at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He advanced to the semifinals of the 800 at the World Championships in 2007 and reached the finals at the World Championships in 2009.