Oregon Public Broadcasting

High temperatures and fast times have been the story so far at the Track and Field Olympic trials in Eugene.

Regional stars like Kara Goucher have already qualified to compete at the Beijing Olympics.

Andrew Theen tells us about the field for Monday's 800 meter finals.

800 meters.  It's just two laps around the track.  At Hayward Field runners are greeted at the final curve by a statue of legendary University of Oregon Coach Bill Bowerman.

Bowerman stands in silent contemplation.  But there is nothing silent about Eugene transplant Nick Symmonds or his quest to make the Olympic team.

Nick Symmonds: "I feel like as long as I'm within a few meters of the leaders with 100 to go, you know I don't think anyone can kick with me.  I know it sounds a little cocky, but I am extremely confident in my ability to kick."

Ah the kick.  That's when a runner storms from the middle of the pack to take the lead.

That's Nick Symmonds' strategy in every race.  He did just that in his semifinal heat, but the ever confident Symmonds said he "had another gear" and was just  "trying to make it exciting for the fans."

Symmonds has big race experience, like winning the Pre Classic in 2007, and winning 7 college championships at Willamette University before that.

But a young challenger, Andrew Wheating, is getting his experience on the fly.

Andrew Wheating: "I think I might have a little bit of a chance to get to Beijing, and I think I want to make that big chance a reality."

Wheating is just 20 years old.  The Vermont native didn't run in high school because his school didn't have a track program.

Yet he didn't lose a race for the Oregon Ducks all year until the NCAA championship, and then he lost by only one one-hundredth of a second. He says he's shocked by the fan support.

Andrew Wheating: "Oooh it was so cool!  I thought Nick Symmonds was the favorite and he got all the crowd, and then like they erupted for me.  I said no way!  So I was totally excited to see that we got a lot of Oregon fans, Duck fans out there."

While most competitors are all business before a race, Wheating is hamming it up with fans, he smiles and waves to the crowd before the race begins.

For his part Nick  Symmonds says he's looking forward to lining up next to Wheating.

Nick Symmonds: "Yeah I've never raced Wheating I'm really excited to.  He's got a great kick, I think he and I race very similarly.  Man how exciting would it be if an Oregon Track Club and a Duck were in Beijing together.  I think I've got my roommate lined up if that's how it goes."

Symmonds' coach is Frank Gagliano.  Gagliano agrees that Wheating and Symmonds have similar tactics.  But he says the rest of the field, including reigning national champion Khadevis Robinson know the local guys excel at the afterburners.

One major question is who will win the hearts of the fans.  For Nick Symmonds, the answer has two parts.

Nick Symmonds: "I've had the pride of being the underdog too, and you know everyone like to see a youngster come up and challenge on the guys that have proven they can do it.  I think the crowd will be cheering for Wheating, but I know they've got my back too."

At 24 years old, Nick Symmonds isn't exactly ancient in terms of middle distance runners.  With Symmonds and youngster Andrew Wheating in the fold, the prospects for Americans at 800 meters seem bright.