NEW ORLEANS—South Dakota senior Chris Nilsen makes his 21st 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 21st watch list appearance, Nilsen ties for the third-most watch list appearances in the award's history. His company includes Edward Cheserek (29), Lawi Lalang (24) and Ryan Crouser (21).
 
Nilsen broke the NCAA indoor record in the pole vault last month with a vault of 19 feet, 5 ½ inches, inside the Bob Devaney Sports Center. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Nilsen is a three-time NCAA Champion and six-time All-American. He's vaulted past the 19-foot barrier a total of 14 times in his career.
 
The senior was one of four Coyotes to qualify for the upcoming NCAA Indoor Championships. Nilsen takes the stage in the men's pole vault at 6:15 p.m. (CT) on Friday, March 13.
 
The Bowerman Men's Pre-NCAA Indoor Watch List
 
Trey Cunningham, Jr., Florida State (Hurdles)
Tyler Day, Sr., Northern Arizona (Distance)
Devin Dixon, Sr., Texas A&M, (Middle Distance)
Gleb Dudarev, Jr., Kansas (Throws)
Johannes Erm, Jr., Georgia (Combined Events)
JuVaughn Harrison, Jr., LSU (Jumps)
KC Lightfoot, So., Baylor (Pole Vault)
Chris Nilsen, Sr., South Dakota (Pole Vault)
Jordan Scott, Sr., Virginia (Jumps)
Darryl Sullivan, Sr., Tennessee (Jumps)