Chris Nielsen

Chris Nielsen burst onto the Track and Field scene during his sophomore year and went on to have an outstanding track and field career at MHS. During that sophomore campaign, Chris was a member of the Gold Medal 4x200 meter Championship relay team. The “Gold Medal” is given to the individual or relay team with the best time out of ALL CLASSES during that respective year. Chris was also part of the 3rd place 4x200 team and placed 8th in both the 200-meter and 400-meter dash that year.

As a junior, Chris won another Gold Medal – this time as State Champion in the 400-meter dash. He also placed 2nd in both the 4x100 meter relay and 200-meter dash in 2011. During his senior season, Chris rounded out his MHS career (2012) with yet another outstanding performance at the State T&F Meet. Chris was a State Champion in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes. He also anchored the 4x200 meter relay team to a State Championship and yet another Gold Medal. He was named the “Outstanding Performer” of the 2012 Class A Track and Field meet and led his boys team to the 2012 Class A Track and Field State Championship.

Chris still holds MHS School records for his times in the 200-meter dash, the 4x100 meter relay team and the 4x200 meter relay team. He is 2nd All Time in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes and 3rd overall in the 4x400 meter relay team. Chris also lettered in cross country, football and powerlifting at Madison High School.

Chis went on to compete in Track & Field at the University of South Dakota. During his four years there, Chris was a part of 4 Conference Championships. During his freshman year, he was named “Newcomer of the Championship” for both the indoor and outdoor Conference Meet. He was a 2-time Conference Champion in both the 200m and 400m dash and was a part of several relay championships. Chris was also an All-American in the 200m dash during his junior year.

Chris is currently finishing up his Bachelor of Science in Nursing after switching careers in late 2019. Upon completion of his boards, he will be working at the Sanford Heart Hospital and Intensive Care Unit in Sioux Falls.