VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota alumnus Chris Nilsen won gold at the U.S. Olympic Trials last week to highlight 10 current and former Coyote track and field athletes in action at national championship meets.
 
Nilsen will head to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a member of Team USA. The opening ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, July 23 beginning at 5:55 a.m. CDT. Nilsen is scheduled to compete in the pole vault qualifying round at 7:40 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, July 30. The pole vault finals are set for 5:20 a.m. (CDT) on Tuesday, August 3.
 
A quick summary of how Coyote track and field athletes fared at their respective national championship meets is included below.
 
U.S. Olympic Trials (Eugene, Ore.)
1. Chris Nilsen, pole vault (19-4 ¼, 5.90m)
6. Zack Anderson, high jump (7-3, 2.21m)
9. Lara Boman, hammer throw (219-2, 66.80m)
11. Ben Hammer, discus (187-3, 57.09m)
15. Ethan Bray, pole vault (18-4 ½, 5.60m)
-- Emily Grove, pole vault (NH)
 
Estonian National Championships (Tallinn, Estonia)
1. Eerik Haamer, pole vault (17-0 ¾, 5.20m)
 
Italian National Championships (Rovereto, Italy)
4. Helen Falda, pole vault (13-11 ¼, 4.25m)
 
Jamaican National Championships (Kingston, Jamaica)
14. Demar Francis, 400 meters (46.79 seconds)
 
French National Championships (Angers, France)
17. Hugo Morvan, 110-meter hurdles (14.24 seconds)