Upload a Photo Upload a Video Add a News article Write a Blog Add a Comment
Blog Feed News Feed Video Feed All Feeds

Folders

Featured (1691)
All (1826)
 

 

South Dakota's Chris Nilsen Clears NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championship Record in Pole Vault

Published by
DyeStat.com   Jun 7th 2018, 7:12am
Comments

Nilsen eclipses 1996 meet record held by Johnson by clearing 19-1.50 (5.83m) to secure outdoor title, following indoor championship last year

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

EUGENE Chris Nilsen was reflective when it came to vaulting at this version of historic Hayward Field for the final time Wednesday night.

The South Dakota sophomore was appreciative when he discussed eclipsing the pole vault meet record at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships, one that had stood since 1996.

But the most authentic and raw emotion from the 20-year-old husband and father came when discussing his 4-month-old son, Roman Christopher Nilsen, who was home with Chris’ wife Kelly Vogel-Nilsen in Kansas City.

“The trip from Oregon to Missouri with the baby is never really the easiest thing. Saving money for formula, clothing and equipment is more important. We’re working through things right now and I’m very happy to pull out the win and show that just because you are a parent in the NCAA, it doesn’t mean you stop. If anything, it motivates me more,” Nilsen said. “It’s his life and his want and he’s going to have his own personality and his own interests and his own disinterests and I’m going to be there every step of the way to support the little man. I’m already very proud of him in everything that he’s accomplished even though he’s only 4 months old. I love that kid to death and he’s just awesome.”

Nilsen cleared 19-1.50 (5.83m) on his first attempt, breaking the championship record of 19-1 (5.82m) set before he was born by Tennessee’s Lawrence Johnson. Nilsen, who cleared a personal-best 19-2.75 (5.86m) on May 5 in South Dakota to equal the No. 4 all-time collegiate performer, had three attempts at 19-4.25 (5.90m).

But he spoke honestly when assessing how long his meet record might stand, especially with incoming freshmen Sondre Guttormsen competing for UCLA, K.C. Lightfoot signing with Baylor and Armand “Mondo” Duplantis vaulting at LSU next year.

“It’s something I’m very happy about and I’m very proud of, but with all the great vaulters coming up in the next couple of years, including Mondo, Sondre and K.C. Lightfoot, they’re going to break it faster than I did. I’m very excited to see what the future generations are going to do in the coming years and I’m excited to push those records with them. The next couple of years in my college career are not going to be easy,” Nilsen said. “It was very satisfying and it’s something that will push me to look forward to the next few (seasons) in my college career. I’m only a sophomore and I’ve got two more years, so if I can keep doing what I’m doing and stay consistent at 19-2 and heights like those, then I’ll start to get consistent at the higher heights like 5.90 with the three jumps I had (Thursday).”

Nilsen, who won the Division 1 indoor title as a freshman, finished third at last year’s outdoor championship before taking runner-up in March at the indoor final in College Station, Texas.

He cleared at least 18-8.25 (5.70m) for the sixth occasion during the outdoor season, including a 19-foot clearance for the third time.

And doing so in front of the fans in the East Grandstand at Hayward Field had special meaning for Nilsen, who became the third vaulter to clear 19 feet in championship history.

“It was nostalgic. I’ve competed here three times in the last three years and it was kind of a bittersweet moment,” Nilsen said. “Getting to come here and be a champion in front of a great crowd in Oregon, and the fact that it’s getting changed and remodeled, so it’s the last time I’ll be jumping at historic Hayward Field, it’s kind of sad, but I’m glad to end it on a good note.”

Instead of competing in Europe during the summer, Nilsen will spend the next two weeks in Kansas City with his wife and son while still being trained by South Dakota coach Derek Miles, before vaulting June 23 at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Right now, I’m focusing on my college career and trying to get through college. Academics comes first, especially now that I have a family to provide for, so if I can get a career outside of pole vault and continue to pole vault after college, then we’ll talk about Diamond League, for sure.”



More news

History for DyeStat.com
YearVideosNewsPhotosBlogs
2024 1091 354 13762  
2023 5382 1361 77508  
2022 4892 1212 58684  
Show 25 more
 
+PLUS highlights
+PLUS coverage
Live Events
Get +PLUS!