2017 U.S. National Championships Saturday Results

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–South Dakota freshman Chris Nilsen vaulted a personal best 18 feet, 10 ¼ inches, to place third at the U.S. Outdoor National Championships. As a top-three finisher with the qualifying standard, Nilsen will represent the United States at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, England, later this summer.
 
Nilsen joins 2016 Olympic Bronze Medalist Sam Kendricks and Andrew Irwin on the United States' team for the world championship meet. Kendricks won his fourth-straight U.S. title in the event in 19-8 ¼. Irwin also made 18-10 ¼ for second place.
 
After taking three attempts to make 18-0 ½, Nilsen coasted past the next three heights of 18-4 ½, 18-6 ½ and 18-8 ¼ on first-attempt makes. Five athletes remained in the competition as the bar rose to 18-10 ¼. Nilsen's make on his second attempt landed him the qualifying spot. The height is also a new American Under-20 record.
 
Nilsen is just the fourth collegian since 2000 to place in the top-three of the pole vault at the U.S. Outdoor Championships and the only freshman of the elite group.
 
The freshman out of Kansas City, Mo., had a standout 2017 campaign for the Coyotes. Nilsen captured USD's second national title since the move to the Division I during the indoor season and added a third-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championship. He garnered the Summit's Indoor and Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year awards and broke the league's indoor and outdoor championship meet records. He was also named the USTFCCCA Midwest Field Athlete of the Year and spent several months on the Bowerman Watch List.
 
The IAAF World Championships are scheduled for August 4-13 in London, England.