Symmonds runs just fast enough to qualify for 800 final

By KATU.com Staff Published: Aug 7, 2012 at 3:24 PM PDT
Symmonds runs just fast enough to qualify for 800 final
Britain's Andrew Osagie reacts as he crosses the finish line with Kenya's David Lekuta Rudisha, right, in the men's 800-meter semifinal on Tuesday. Nick Symmonds finished third. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

LONDON – Willamette University grad and Oregon resident Nick Symmonds on Tuesday edged his way into the 800 meter final.

Symmonds finished third in his semi-final heat where the top two finishers automatically qualified for the final.

Luckily for Symmonds, the next two overall fastest times also earned a spot. He grabbed the second to last qualifying spot with a run of 1:44.87.

American Duane Solomon clinched the last finals spot with a run of 1:44.93.

Symmonds lives and trains in Springfield, Ore. and is originally from Boise, Idaho. He won 7 NCAA Division III titles during his time at Willamette.

His personal best in the 800 is 1:43.78.

During the final, Symmonds and Solomon will be going up against current world record holder David Rudisha from Kenya. His world record time is 1:41.01.

The final will be run at noon Pacific Time on Thursday.