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Vance Nilsson continues to etch his name further into Arizona history.
Nilsson, a Gilbert alum who is now a sophomore at Florida, won the title in the men's 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on June 12, running 48.06 seconds. The NCAA title comes just two years after Nilsson set the-then United States high school national record in the 300-meter hurdles. The time is an NCAA lead for this season and moves Nilsson up to No. 9 all-time in NCAA history.
Last week, Nilsson told The Republic: "I want to win. And I know I can win."
Just before the race, James Smith, one of Nilsson's personal club coaches with the Arizona Flames during his record-breaking high school career, sent him a message.
"I texted him before the race and I told him he could win it," Smith said. "It’s been a journey for him going from high school to college, but he has weathered the storm and came out on top. He has always been a hard worker with internal drive.
"That is what sets him apart from normal athletes. He is not afraid to just bear in himself and his body and go for it. I am extremely proud of Vance and what he has done. Repping AZ Flames Track Club and Arizona hurdlers."
Nilsson won the race from Lane 9, reminiscent of his effort from the 2024 Under-20 World Championships in Peru when Nilsson (at 18 years old) won the world title from Lane 1. Up until this season, Nilsson had yet to run a personal best since 2024 due to injuries and adjusting to the college level.
Now, he's the first Arizona high school alum on the men's side to win an individual NCAA title since 2023 when Oro Valley Canyon Del Oro alum Turner Washington won the discus as a senior with ASU.
"When Vance sees a path to victory, he commits to it relentlessly," said Jayson Vazquez, one of Nilsson's club coaches. "The outcome speaks for itself."
Late last night, Vazquez received a FaceTime call from Nilsson. It was 1:40 a.m. local time for Vazquez, who is in Puerto Rico as his son and daughter compete in the Puerto Rico National Championships. Vazquez answered right away.
"He was wired up believing he could seriously win out of Lane 9," Vazquez said. "We spoke for a while and by the time we hung up we all believed he could pull it off. Great thing he did."
Nilsson's win marks the second consecutive year that an Arizona high school alum has won an NCAA title at the national championships after former Chandler thrower Cierra Jackson took home the discus.
With his 48.06, Nilsson is ranked No. 3 in the United States for the 2026 season.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert alum, Arizona record holder wins men's NCAA 400m hurdle title
Continue reading...
Nilsson, a Gilbert alum who is now a sophomore at Florida, won the title in the men's 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on June 12, running 48.06 seconds. The NCAA title comes just two years after Nilsson set the-then United States high school national record in the 300-meter hurdles. The time is an NCAA lead for this season and moves Nilsson up to No. 9 all-time in NCAA history.
Last week, Nilsson told The Republic: "I want to win. And I know I can win."
Just before the race, James Smith, one of Nilsson's personal club coaches with the Arizona Flames during his record-breaking high school career, sent him a message.
"I texted him before the race and I told him he could win it," Smith said. "It’s been a journey for him going from high school to college, but he has weathered the storm and came out on top. He has always been a hard worker with internal drive.
"That is what sets him apart from normal athletes. He is not afraid to just bear in himself and his body and go for it. I am extremely proud of Vance and what he has done. Repping AZ Flames Track Club and Arizona hurdlers."
Nilsson won the race from Lane 9, reminiscent of his effort from the 2024 Under-20 World Championships in Peru when Nilsson (at 18 years old) won the world title from Lane 1. Up until this season, Nilsson had yet to run a personal best since 2024 due to injuries and adjusting to the college level.
Now, he's the first Arizona high school alum on the men's side to win an individual NCAA title since 2023 when Oro Valley Canyon Del Oro alum Turner Washington won the discus as a senior with ASU.
"When Vance sees a path to victory, he commits to it relentlessly," said Jayson Vazquez, one of Nilsson's club coaches. "The outcome speaks for itself."
Late last night, Vazquez received a FaceTime call from Nilsson. It was 1:40 a.m. local time for Vazquez, who is in Puerto Rico as his son and daughter compete in the Puerto Rico National Championships. Vazquez answered right away.
"He was wired up believing he could seriously win out of Lane 9," Vazquez said. "We spoke for a while and by the time we hung up we all believed he could pull it off. Great thing he did."
Nilsson's win marks the second consecutive year that an Arizona high school alum has won an NCAA title at the national championships after former Chandler thrower Cierra Jackson took home the discus.
With his 48.06, Nilsson is ranked No. 3 in the United States for the 2026 season.
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert alum, Arizona record holder wins men's NCAA 400m hurdle title
Continue reading...
