AUSTIN, Texas—South Dakota junior
Chris Nilsen captured a Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays title in the men's pole vault for the second-straight year on Saturday in front of nearly 21,000 fans inside Mike A. Myers Stadium.
A two-time Texas Relays champion, Nilsen brings South Dakota's total titles at the meet to four since the program began sending athletes in 2012. Nilsen vaulted 19 feet, ¼ inch, to break the 19-foot barrier for the first time in 2019. He cleared the height six times in 2018. Competing in the collegiate section, Nilsen vaulted higher than the elite section filled with professional vaulters, which was won in 18-9 ¼.
Nilsen vaults to the top of the NCAA standings and second in the world with the mark.
Classmate
Ethan Bray took seventh in the same elite pole vault section with a height of 17-6 ½. Bray, who redshirted the indoor season, cleared his personal best of 18-3 ¾ at the end of last outdoor season.
A day after breaking the University of South Dakota record in the high jump, junior
Zack Anderson finished fifth in Section A at the Texas Relays. He cleared 7-0 ¼. Freshman
Jack Durst took 10th in the same section with a jump of 6-10 ¼.
Junior
Samara Spencer took 14th in Section A of the women's long jump. She leaped 18-5 on her first attempt.
Bobcat Invitational
SAN MARCOS, Texas—South Dakota also had a contingent of athletes competing at the Bobcat Invitational on Saturday.
Sophomore
Macy Heinz placed fifth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.36. She finished just a second off her best from earlier this season. Senior
Mallory Fine finished 10th.
Senior
Eldon Warner took 10th in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:54.30.
South Dakota returns to Vermillion to host the South Dakota Challenge next Saturday at the Lillibridge Track Complex.
