Vance Nilsson (born 7 November 2005) is an American hurdler. He won the gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships.[1]

Vance Nilsson
Personal information
NationalityUnited States
Born (2005-11-07) 7 November 2005 (age 19)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventHurdling
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)400m hurdles: 49.26 (Lima, 2024)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  United States
World U20 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2024 Lima 400m hurdles

Early life

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From Arizona, he attended Gilbert High School.[2] In 2024, he was named the Gatorade athlete of the year for Arizona and signed a letter of intent to study at the University of Florida.[3]

Career

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In May 2024, Nilsson ran 34.83 seconds in the 300 metres hurdles to set a new national high school record at the AIA State High School Track & Field Championships in Mesa, Arizona.[4] It was the first time an American high school athlete has gone under 35 seconds in the event.[5]

He won the USATF U20 Championships in the 400 metres hurdles in June 2024. That month, he competed in the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon where he ran 49.77 seconds, the fourth-fastest time by an American high schooler.[6]

In August 2024, he ran a 49.26 personal best to win the gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru.[7][8]

References

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  1. ^ "Vance Nilsson". World Athletics. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. ^ Stanley, Logan (28 June 2024). "Gilbert's Vance Nilsson finishes 11th at Olympic Trials, misses final by 2 spots". azcentral. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Vance Nilsson Gatorade 2023 - 2024: Player of the Year Boys Track & Field". Gatorade.com. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  4. ^ Mull, Cory (12 May 2024). "Vance Nilsson, High Schooler, Becomes First Under 35 Seconds In 300mH". flotrack. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Gilbert's Vance Nilsson breaks national high school record in 300M hurdles". azcentral. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  6. ^ Grundy, William (29 June 2024). "Vance Nilsson Runs US No. 4 All-Time 400H At Olympic Trials". Mile Split. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  7. ^ "World U20 Championships". World Athletics. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Fayisa flies to 1500m gold for Ethiopia on day five in Lima". World Athletics. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.