EUGENE, Ore. – Four years ago, high jumper Jamie Nieto finished second at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials but couldn't compete in Beijing because he fell short of the qualifying standard.
That won't be a problem this time. Nieto was a member of Team USA at the 2004 Olympics and after posting a mark of 7 feet, 5 3/4 inches Monday evening, he'll be a part of the 2012 team, too.
"I can't believe I won," the former Valley High School and Sacramento City College standout said. "I was definitely planning to be in the top three, but God has really blessed me.
"I feel like God told me everything was going to work out. Even yesterday, God was like, 'Hey, stop worrying, don't worry.' "
Nieto, 36, owns a fourth-place 2004 Olympic finish (with a personal-best 7-8).
Jesse Williams, the reigning world champion, finished fourth but as one of only three jumpers with the required "A" standard, he, too, is headed to London.
Other finals highlights:
• Amanda Smock won the triple jump at 45-9 for a spot on the Olympic team. Smock was the only athlete in the field with the Olympic "A" standard of 46-11. She will be the lone U.S. representative.
• Sam Humphreys won the javelin (268-7) but failed to make the Olympic team because he doesn't have the required "A" standard of 269 feet this season. Runner-up Sam Crouser (265-1) also failed to make the team. The United States will be represented in London by Craig Kinsley (third), Sean Furey (fourth) and Cyrus Hostetler (fifth). All have "A" standard marks.
• Nick Symmonds won his fifth straight U.S. title in the men's 800 meters, finishing in 1 minute, 43.92 seconds. Also earning team spots were Khadevis Robinson and Duane Solomon.
• Three-time U.S. champion Alysia Montano won the women's 800 in 1:59.08. Also earning U.S. team spots were Geena Gall and Alice Schmidt.
• Area pole vaulters advancing to the finals were Scott Roth and Derek Miles. Failing to advance were locals Cale Simmons and Paul Litchfield.
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