SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota junior Chris Nilsen has been named the Summit League Track and Field Athlete of the Week for the period ended Jan. 20. He earns the honor for the 17th time of his career.
 
Nilsen vaulted to the top of the NCAA standings this weekend when he cleared 18 feet, 6 ¾ inches, at the Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitational. He leads the country by more than three inches with the jump and the Summit by two feet.
 
The junior has vaulted over 18 feet 33 times in his collegiate career, surpassing 19 feet six times. Nilsen's indoor career best of 19-0 ¼ ranks fifth in NCAA indoor history. He vaulted a career best 19-2 ¾ during last year's outdoor season for the fourth-best mark in NCAA outdoor history.
 
The Coyotes travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for the Jack Johnson Classic on Friday and Saturday.