EUGENE, Ore.–South Dakota freshman Chris Nilsen capped off his freshman campaign with the bronze at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday evening at Historic Hayward Field.
Nilsen, the 2017 NCAA Indoor Champion, tied for third place with a height of 17 feet, 10 ½ inches. He was one of seven vaulters eliminated at 18-2 ½ with only two athletes clearing the height. Matthew Ludwig of Akron, who placed third at the indoor meet, captured his first NCAA title with a height of 18-4 ½. No freshman in NCAA history has ever captured national titles in both the indoor and outdoor season.
