University of South Dakota alumnus Chris Nilsen breaks American indoor pole vault record
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University of South Dakota alum Chris Nilsen set a new American indoor pole-vault record at the 2022 Perche en Or — an elite international pole-vaulting meet — in Tourcoing, France.
Nilsen cleared a height of 6.02 meters, the first time that he's cleared six meters in his pole-vaulting career. The previous record was held by Sam Kendricks, who won an NCAA Championship with Ole Miss before qualifying for both the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo as Nilsen's Team USA teammate.
Kendricks was ruled out of the Olympic games due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Literally flying 🦅@ChrisNilsen2 🇺🇸 clears six metres for the first time in his career with an American indoor record mark of 6.02m to win in Tourcoing!
🎥 @FFAthletisme #WorldIndoorTourpic.twitter.com/tuHsKSv22w— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) February 5, 2022
6.02 meters is the same height that Nilsen failed to clear at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Summer 2021. Nilsen secured a silver medal for the United States, clearing a height of 5.97 before it was surpassed by Armand Duplantis.
Nilsen, just 23, is already one of the more celebrated South Dakota alums in the history of the athletic program. Nilsen was coached by former Olympian Derek Miles at USD. Miles qualified for three Olympics and secured a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
Follow Sioux Falls Argus Leader reporter Michael McCleary on Twitter @mikejmccleary.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Watch USD alum Chris Nilsen break American indoor pole vault record