South Dakota pole vaulters Emily Grove and Chris Nilsen have been named the Summit League Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week for the period ended April 23 as announced by the league office Tuesday.
The duo put South Dakota at the top of the NCAA standings in the men’s and women’s pole vault with a pair of personal bests at the Sioux City Relays on Friday.
Grove, a senior from Pontiac, Ill., became the ninth collegiate woman in history to clear 15 feet in the pole vault. Grove soared over 15 feet, 1 inch, to take the top spot in the nation. The height is a lifetime best and improves her South Dakota program record by four inches. Grove moves to fifth in the world (IAAF) this season. Grove is a five-time All-American in the event with a top finish of second at the 2014 NCAA Indoor Championships.
Nilsen, a freshman out of Kansas City, Mo., took sole possession of the top of the NCAA standings by improving his personal best to 18-9 ½. The freshman had cleared 18-8 ¼ twice the week prior to tie for first in the NCAA. Nilsen’s height ranks him at third in the world (IAAF) this season. Nilsen captured South Dakota’s second Division I title at the 2017 NCAA Indoor Championships.
