BUDAPEST, Hungary—South Dakota alumnus Chris Nilsen (2020) tied for the bronze medal in the pole vault Saturday at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
 
Nilsen vaulted a season-best of 19 feet, 6 ¼ inches, (5.95m) to tie with Australia's Kurtis Marschall and share the bronze. Sweden's Mondo Duplantis defended his gold medal by jumping 20 feet (6.10m) and the Phillipines' Ernest John Obiena took silver with a vault of 19-8 ¼ (6.00m). It was thrilling pole vault final on Saturday that included five men past 19 feet, a new Asian record for the runner-up and attempts taken at a world record by the winner.
 
This marks' Nilsen's fourth international medal – he also owns a silver from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, a bronze from the 2022 World Indoor Championships and a silver from the 2022 World Championships.
 
Nilsen owns a personal best of 19-10 ¼ (6.05m) from last year, a height that remains the American indoor record in the men's pole vault.
 
Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Nilsen was a three-time NCAA Champion for the Coyotes. He was a seven-time All-American, taking at least bronze at each NCAA Championship meet held during his collegiate career. He owns South Dakota's indoor and outdoor pole vault records.