NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its regional awards Tuesday and Gustavus hurdler Birgen Nelson (Jr., Edina) was selected as the Division III North Region Women’s Track Athlete of the Year.
Nelson’s regional track athlete of the year honor comes on the heels of being awarded with the MIAC Outstanding Track Athlete and MIAC Outstanding Performance of the Meet. Nelson is ranked first nationally in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.71 and fourth nationally in the 400-meter hurdles at 1:00.64. She scored 25 points at the MIAC Outdoor Championships with a clean sweep of the hurdling events and anchoring both the winning 4×100 and 4×400 relays. Both of her seasonal bests came at the conference meet.
Nelson will compete in both the 100- and 400-hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships this week in Geneva, Ohio.