Vance Nilsson, Former Gilbert Star, Clinches NCAA 400m Hurdles Championship

Vance Nilsson, a standout from Gilbert, is making headlines in Arizona once again. The sophomore athlete from Florida secured the men's 400-meter hurdles title at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, held in Eugene, Oregon, on June 12, finishing with an impressive time of 48.06 seconds. This achievement comes just two years after Nilsson set the national high school record in the 300-meter hurdles, showcasing his remarkable talent.

Nilsson’s winning performance not only leads the NCAA for the current season but also places him at the ninth position in the all-time NCAA rankings. Reflecting on his aspirations, Nilsson shared with The Republic last week, "I want to win. And I know I can win." His confidence was bolstered by a supportive message from James Smith, one of his former coaches with the Arizona Flames, who encouraged him before the race.

“I texted him before the race and I told him he could win it,” Smith recounted. “He has always been a hard worker with internal drive. That is what sets him apart from normal athletes.” Running from Lane 9, Nilsson echoed his previous success at the 2024 Under-20 World Championships, where he triumphed from Lane 1.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Arizona, making Nilsson the first male athlete from an Arizona high school to claim an individual NCAA title since 2023, when Turner Washington won the discus event. “When Vance sees a path to victory, he commits to it relentlessly,” said Jayson Vazquez, another of Nilsson's coaches.

In a late-night FaceTime call, Vazquez spoke with Nilsson shortly after the race, highlighting the excitement and determination leading up to his win. “We all believed he could pull it off,” Vazquez noted. Nilsson’s triumph adds to a growing legacy of success for Arizona athletes, following last year’s NCAA title win by Cierra Jackson in the discus.