NEW ORLEANS—South Dakota senior Chris Nilsen makes his 20th watch list appearance for The Bowerman as announced Thursday afternoon by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
 
Nilsen is a two-time semifinalist for The Bowerman. The award, dubbed the Heisman of collegiate track and field, is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female athlete in the nation. The award debuted in 2009 and winners are announced at a ceremony in mid-December in conjunction with the USTFCCCA annual convention.
 
Making his 20th watch list appearance, Nilsen ties for the fourth-most watch list appearances in the award's history. His company includes Edward Cheserek (29), Lawi Lalang (24), Ryan Crouser (21) and Grant Holloway (20).
 
Nilsen vaulted to the top spot of the NCAA last Saturday with an indoor best of 19 feet, ¾ inch, at the Adidas Classic in Lincoln, Nebraska. The height breaks his own indoor school record and the Bob Devaney Sports Center facility record. He leads the nation's top-ranked pole vault squad this season as well.
 
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Nilsen is a three-time NCAA Champion and six-time All-American. He has never finished below third at a national meet. His jump on Saturday was his 12th career jump past 19 feet.
 
Nilsen will join his teammates at the Coyotes' lone home meet of the indoor season this weekend. The Dakota Realty Alumni Meet is scheduled for Friday and Saturday inside the DakotaDome. The men's pole vault is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
The Bowerman Men's Mid-Season Watch List
 
Trey Cunningham, Florida State (Hurdles)
Tyler Day*, Northern Arizona (Distance)
Devin Dixon, Texas A&M (Mid-Distance/Relays)
Gleb Dudarev, Kansas (Throws)
Johannes Erm, Georgia (Combined Events)
Quincy Hall, South Carolina (Sprints/Hurdles)
JuVaughn Harrison, LSU (Jumps)
Chris Nilsen, South Dakota (Pole Vault)
Darryl Sullivan*, Tennessee (Jumps)
Trevor Stewart, North Carolina A&T (Sprints)
 
* watch list career debut