The 5-foot-11, 132-pound senior middle distance and distance talent earned All-American honors in the 800-meter run at Nike Outdoor Nationals, finishing fifth with a time of 1:49.87. Nielsen’s personal-best of 1:48.91 in the 800 earned him the gold medal at the AIA state meet and ranked No. 13 nationally among prep boys competitors this spring. He was unbeaten against in-state opponents in both the 800 and 1600-meter events.
Nielsen has maintained a 3.70 weighted GPA in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to compete at the University of Arizona this fall.
A member of his school’s chess club, Nielsen has volunteered locally with Feed My Starving Children and as a youth running coach. He has also donated his time to multiple community service initiatives through his church youth group.
