by Ken Goe, The Oregonian

This time, Nick Symmonds didn't wait.

Symmonds scrapped his normal sit-and-kick strategy, surged to the lead on the final turn, then fought off the charging Khadevis Robinson in a gutty last 50 meters to win the 800 on Sunday in the USA Track & Field Championships.

So did Robinson.

"I really felt I was going to catch him at the end," Robinson said.

Symmonds was too strong, finishing in 1 minute, 45.86 seconds, just ahead of Robinson, second in 1:45.97.

It wasn't quite as improbable as the 800-meter final at the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials. In that one, Symmonds, Andrew Wheating and Christian Smith -- all Eugene-based runners -- came flying from behind to go 1-2-3, the diving Smith edging Robinson at the finish line for the third and final spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

It didn't string out that way this time. Symmonds stayed near the leaders on the second lap. Robinson, a four-time U.S. outdoor champion, held something in reserve.

In the end, Symmonds and Robinson were neck-and-neck as they barreled toward the finish line on the home straight. Once again, the fans got an electric finish.

"I'm not used to K.D. coming up on me in the last 100," Symmonds said. "That surprised me. I think it made for a great race."

Usually, it's Symmonds making the late charge. Because he was running from in front as he came off the turn, he didn't know at first where the other runners were.

When Robinson challenged, "I wasn't sure who it was," Symmonds said. "I felt alone with 100 to go, and I put on a big surge to try to drop everybody. Then he was right there.

"I saw the orange, and I knew it was either K.D. or Christian. Either way, I didn't want to mess around too much. So I just gave it everything I had for about 50 meters."

View complete article at http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2009/06/nick_symmonds_holds_off_nikes.html