SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota senior pole vaulter Chris Nilsen has been named the Summit League Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week for the period ended Jan. 19.
 
Nilsen garners a weekly honor from the Summit for the 22nd time in his career. This marks his first honor of 2019-20.
 
Nilsen placed third in the elite competition on Friday at the National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada. He vaulted 18 feet, 8 ¼ inches, to finish as the top collegian in the competition. Nilsen's height is equal to the NCAA lead this season.
 
Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Nilsen is a three-time NCAA Champion and six-time All-American. He also won the pole vault at the 2019 Pan American Games for Team USA.
 
The Coyotes return to action at the Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 25.