[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 120 (Friday, July 9, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING CHRIS NILSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUSTY JOHNSON

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, July 9, 2021

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate University of South Dakota alum Chris Nilsen for placing 
first in the pole vault at the U.S. Olympic Trials and qualifying for 
the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
  During the Trials, Chris made his first six attempts, clearing both 
the Olympic standard and the championship clinching height without a 
miss. He currently ranks fifth in the world heading into the Games. His 
success at the Trials is just one of the many impressive feats in his 
pole-vaulting career.
  As a Coyote, Chris was a three-time NCAA Champion and seven-time All-
American. He was also named USTFCCCA National Field Athlete of the 
Year. He graduated from USD in 2020.
  This is not the first time Chris Nilsen will represent USD and the 
U.S. on the big stage. In 2019, he won gold at the Pan American Games. 
He also represented the U.S. at the 2017 World Championships and 
qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials at the age of 18.
  I want to congratulate Chris on winning the event and punching his 
ticket to Tokyo. I look forward to cheering him and the rest of Team 
USA on at the Olympic Games.

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