Local favorite Symmonds makes 800-meter U.S. Olympic team

Nick Symmonds celebrates after winning his fifth straight U.S. title in the 800 meters. (US Presswire)

EUGENE, Ore. -- Nick Symmonds won his fifth straight U.S. title in the 800 meters by winning at the Olympic trials in 1 minute, 43.92 seconds on Monday night.

Symmonds earns a spot on the U.S. team for the London Games with runner-up Khadevis Robinson, who finished in 1:44.64, and Duane Solomon, who finished in 1:44.65.

Symmonds, a local favorite who went to Division III Willamette University and runs for the Oregon Track Club elite, started far back in the pack but surged into the lead in the final 100 meters for the win.