By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Former Willamette University runner Nick Symonds ('06) has been inducted into the NCAA Division III Athlete Hall of Fame associated with the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Symmonds was one of four former Division III athletes who were added to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, May 24. Also included in the Class of 2017 were pole vaulter Jeremy Scott from Allegheny College (Pa.), sprinter Amber James from Wheaton College (Mass.) and thrower Robyn Jarocki from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Symmonds won seven NCAA Division III national championships in track and field with four titles in the men's 800-meter run (2003-06) and three titles in the men's 1,500-meter run (2003, 2005-06). He holds Willamette's all-time records in the 400-meter run (48.15 seconds), 800-meter run (1:45.83) and 1,500-meter run (3:40.91). He won the Northwest Conference individual title in cross country in 2005.

After graduating from Wilamette in 2006, Symmonds went on to compete in the 800-meter run at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in 2008 and in London, England, in 2012. He reached the semifinals in Beijing, and placed fifth in London, while recording a personal record time of 1:42.95.

He won the U.S. national outdoor title in the 800-meter run a total of six times to go along with two indoor 800-meter titles. He was inducted into the Willamette Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall of 2016.

Symmonds achieved the silver medal in the 800-meter run at the World Championships in 2013. He was fifth at the World Championships in 20011 and placed sixth in 2009.