South Dakota pole vaulter Chris Nilsen named semifinalist for The Bowerman

Argus Leader

Chris Nilsen of South Dakota celebrates after winning the pole vault in a meet-record 19-6 1/4 (5.95m) during the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Fresh off capturing his third NCAA Championship title, South Dakota pole vaulter Chris Nilsen has been named a semifinalist for The Bowerman. The award, which debuted in 2009, has been dubbed the Heisman of collegiate track and field. Winners are announced at a ceremony in mid-December in conjunction with the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association annual convention.

Nilsen out-dueled LSU freshman Mondo Duplantis at nationals, clearing an NCAA Championship meet record height of 19-6.25. The junior's record-setting clearance moves him to third all-time in NCAA history and ranks 25th in the IAAF's world record books.

The Kansas City native, who ranks No. 1 in the United States and No. 2 in the world this year, is a three-time NCAA champion and owns six All-America accolades. He has posted 11 jumps over 19 feet in his career and went undefeated in all 10 outdoor meets in 2019.

Finalists for The Bowerman will be announced next Thursday.

Chris Nilsen of South Dakota wins the pole vault in a meet-record 19-6 1/4 (5.95m) during the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

The Bowerman Semifinalists

Mondo Duplantis, LSU, Fr., Pole Vault
JuVaughn Harrison, LSU, So., Jumps
Grant Holloway, Florida, Jr., Sprints/Hurdles/Jumps
Bryce Hoppel, Kansas, Jr., Distance
Morgan McDonald, Wisconsin, RS-Sr., Distance
Chris Nilsen, South Dakota, Jr., Pole Vault
Divine Oduduru, Texas Tech, Texas Tech, Jr., Sprints
Payton Otterdahl, North Dakota State, Sr., Throws
Anderson Peters, Mississippi State, RS-So., Throws
Daniel Roberts, Kentucky, Jr., Sprints/Hurdles

Follow Brian Haenchen on Twitter at @Brian_Haenchen.