Nick Symmonds
Encyclopedia
Nicholas "Nick" Symmonds (born December 30, 1983) is an American
middle-distance track athlete
from Boise, Idaho
, specializing in the 800 meters
and 1500 meters
distances. He is also the part owner of a tanning salon. In college at Willamette University
he won seven NCAA Division III titles in outdoor track. In 2007, he won the 800 m race at the Prefontaine Classic
. On June 30, 2008, Symmonds won the 800 m run at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon
, in 1:44.10 and qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics
team. Symmonds won his Round 1 - Heat 4 race with 1:46:01, but failed to qualify in the semifinals run on 21 August 2008: he placed 5th at 1:46:96.
, where his father Jeffrey Symmonds is a surgeon
, and his mother Andrea is a teacher
. Raised in Boise, Nick is a 2002 graduate of Bishop Kelly High School
in that city. In high school he won state championships in the 800 m (PR 1:53), 1600 m (PR 4:20) and 3200 m individual races and on the 4 x 400 m relay
. He received little interest from college track programs in high school, and went on to Willamette University
in Salem, Oregon
.
At Willamette, a NCAA Division III school, Symmonds would earn a degree in biochemistry
in 2006 and be a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. On the track outdoors, he won the 800 NCAA
championship race all four years and the 1500 NCAA championship race as a freshman, junior, and senior. Symmonds collegiate best in the 800 (1:45.83) currently ranks No. 1 in NCAA Division III history. His 1500 collegiate best (3:40.91) ranks No. 3 all-time in NCAA Division III.
Elite. A seven time outdoor track champion at the NCAA III level, he was runner-up at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
in 2006 in the 800 m race. In 2007, he won the 800 m race at the Prefontaine Classic
meet in Eugene, Oregon
, with a then personal best 1:44.54 seconds, shocking the current Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy
by beating him at his own come from behind strategy.
In 2008 he won the United States Olympic Trials
800 m final held in Eugene, Oregon
with a personal best time of 1:44.10. Symmonds was the first of three Oregon associated athletes to finish at the top of this race before the home crowd, the other two being Andrew Wheating from the University of Oregon
and Oregon Track Club training partner Christian Smith, an event referred to as the "Oregon sweep" replayed many times in television coverage of the meet.See it on a private youtube videoand as presented on TV. This qualified him (and all three) for the U.S. Olympic Team
for the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing, China, for the 800 m race. At the Beijing Olympics, Symmonds finished fifth in his semifinal heat with a time of 1:46.96, 0.73 seconds behind the winner of that heat.
Symmonds continued to improve in 2009, winning the USATF Championships over Khadevis Robinson
, which qualified him to represent the US at the World Championships. As part of his preparation for the championships, Symmonds ran a PR of 1:43.83 on July 29, 2009 in Monaco. A few weeks later, Symmonds became the first American to qualify for the final of the men's 800 m since 1997. He finished sixth in 1:45.71. In 2010, he again lowered his personal record to 1:43.76, while finishing third behind David Rudisha
's 1:41.01 world record at the IAAF World Challenge
track and field meet in Rieti
, Italy
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
middle-distance track athlete
Middle distance track event
Middle distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle distance event. The 880 yard run, or half mile, was the forebear to the...
from Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, specializing in the 800 meters
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
and 1500 meters
1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
distances. He is also the part owner of a tanning salon. In college at Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
he won seven NCAA Division III titles in outdoor track. In 2007, he won the 800 m race at the Prefontaine Classic
Prefontaine Classic
The Prefontaine Classic is one of the premier track and field meets in the United States. Every year it draws a world caliber field to compete at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.-History:...
. On June 30, 2008, Symmonds won the 800 m run at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, in 1:44.10 and qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
team. Symmonds won his Round 1 - Heat 4 race with 1:46:01, but failed to qualify in the semifinals run on 21 August 2008: he placed 5th at 1:46:96.
Education
Symmonds was born on December 30, 1983, in Boise, IdahoBoise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, where his father Jeffrey Symmonds is a surgeon
Surgeon
In medicine, a surgeon is a specialist in surgery. Surgery is a broad category of invasive medical treatment that involves the cutting of a body, whether human or animal, for a specific reason such as the removal of diseased tissue or to repair a tear or breakage...
, and his mother Andrea is a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. Raised in Boise, Nick is a 2002 graduate of Bishop Kelly High School
Bishop Kelly High School
Bishop Kelly High School is a private Roman Catholic high school in Boise, Idaho, operated by the Diocese of Boise.-History:The school opened its doors in the fall of 1964, succeeding St. Teresa's Academy, which had closed that spring. Bishop Kelly is the only Catholic high school in the state of...
in that city. In high school he won state championships in the 800 m (PR 1:53), 1600 m (PR 4:20) and 3200 m individual races and on the 4 x 400 m relay
4 x 400 metres relay
The 4 x 400 meters relay or long relay is an athletics track event in which teams comprise four runners who each complete 400 meters or one lap. It is traditionally the final event of a track meet. At top class events, the first 500 meters is run in lanes...
. He received little interest from college track programs in high school, and went on to Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
.
At Willamette, a NCAA Division III school, Symmonds would earn a degree in biochemistry
Biochemistry
Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes...
in 2006 and be a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. On the track outdoors, he won the 800 NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
championship race all four years and the 1500 NCAA championship race as a freshman, junior, and senior. Symmonds collegiate best in the 800 (1:45.83) currently ranks No. 1 in NCAA Division III history. His 1500 collegiate best (3:40.91) ranks No. 3 all-time in NCAA Division III.
Post college
After college the 5-10 Symmonds joined the Oregon Track ClubOregon Track Club
The Oregon Track Club is a running organization based in Eugene, Oregon. Shortened to OTC, the Oregon Track Club has a long history at the pinnacle of American track and field...
Elite. A seven time outdoor track champion at the NCAA III level, he was runner-up at the AT&T USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships is an annual track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, which serves as the American national championships for the sport...
in 2006 in the 800 m race. In 2007, he won the 800 m race at the Prefontaine Classic
Prefontaine Classic
The Prefontaine Classic is one of the premier track and field meets in the United States. Every year it draws a world caliber field to compete at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.-History:...
meet in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, with a then personal best 1:44.54 seconds, shocking the current Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy
Yuriy Borzakovskiy
Yuriy Mikhailovich Borzakovskiy is a Russian middle distance athlete specializing in the 800 metres.-Athletic career:Borzakovskiy's first major international success was a victory at the 2000 European Indoor Championships when he was only 18 years old. At the 2000 Summer Olympics he reached the...
by beating him at his own come from behind strategy.
In 2008 he won the United States Olympic Trials
United States Olympic Trials (track and field)
The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
800 m final held in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
with a personal best time of 1:44.10. Symmonds was the first of three Oregon associated athletes to finish at the top of this race before the home crowd, the other two being Andrew Wheating from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
and Oregon Track Club training partner Christian Smith, an event referred to as the "Oregon sweep" replayed many times in television coverage of the meet.See it on a private youtube videoand as presented on TV. This qualified him (and all three) for the U.S. Olympic Team
United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. American athletes have competed in every Summer Olympic Games since the 1896 Summer Olympics except the 1980 Summer Olympics, which the U.S. boycotted. The United States entered the Games as the most successful nation in...
for the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics were held during the last 10 days of the games, from August 15 to August 24, 2008, at the Beijing National Stadium. The Olympic sport of athletics is split into four distinct sets of events: track and field events, road running events, and racewalking...
in Beijing, China, for the 800 m race. At the Beijing Olympics, Symmonds finished fifth in his semifinal heat with a time of 1:46.96, 0.73 seconds behind the winner of that heat.
Symmonds continued to improve in 2009, winning the USATF Championships over Khadevis Robinson
Khadevis Robinson
Khadevis Robinson is an American middle distance runner who specializes in the 800 metres. His personal best time is 1:43.68 minutes, achieved in August 2006 in Rieti. A four-time US champion both outdoors and indoors, he has competed at six consecutive editions of the World Championships in...
, which qualified him to represent the US at the World Championships. As part of his preparation for the championships, Symmonds ran a PR of 1:43.83 on July 29, 2009 in Monaco. A few weeks later, Symmonds became the first American to qualify for the final of the men's 800 m since 1997. He finished sixth in 1:45.71. In 2010, he again lowered his personal record to 1:43.76, while finishing third behind David Rudisha
David Rudisha
David Lekuta Rudisha is a Kenyan middle distance runner and world record holder in the 800 metres with a time of 1:41.01. Rudisha holds four of the ten fastest times for this event.-Early life:...
's 1:41.01 world record at the IAAF World Challenge
IAAF World Challenge
The IAAF World Challenge is an annual global circuit of fourteen one day athletics competitions organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations...
track and field meet in Rieti
Rieti
Rieti is a city and comune in Lazio, central Italy, with a population of c. 47,700. It is the capital of province of Rieti.The town centre rests on a small hilltop, commanding a wide plain at the southern edge of an ancient lake. The area is now the fertile basin of the Velino River...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Personal records
- 800 m outdoors - 1:43.76 (Rieti, August 29, 2010)
- 800 m indoors - 1:46.48 (Valencia, Spain, March 9, 2008)
- 1500 m - 3:38.18 (Los Angeles, California 2011)
- Mile indoors - 3:56.72 (Seattle, Washington, January 16, 2007)
Major Victories
- 2009 Prefontaine Classic 800 m - 1:45.86 (June 7, 2009)
- 2009 Boston Indoor Games 1000 m - 2:20.52 (February 7, 2009)
- 2008 USA Olympic Trials 800 m - 1:44.10 (June 30, 2008)
- 2007 Prefontaine Classic 800 m - 1:44.54 (June 10, 2007)
- 2007 USA Indoors 800 m - 1:48.73
- 2007 Boston Indoor Games 800 m - 1:48.15