NEW ORLEANS, La. – Birgen Nelson (Sr., Edina) has been selected the USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week after her record-setting performance at the University of Minnesota Ice Breaker Open last Friday. Competing in her first meet since winning the 2022 NCAA outdoor national title in the 100-hurdles and taking second in the 400-hurdles, Nelson won the 60-hurdles prelims in a field of Division I, II, and III athletes. Nelson set the NCAA Division III record in the 60-hurdles with a time of 8.38, breaking the previous record of 8.44 set by Adriana Wright of Lehman in 2015. An hour later, Nelson won the 300-meter with a school record time of 40.03, marking the third fastest time in Division III history. Nelson finished her impressive season opener with another first place finish, this time in the 200-meter with a time of 25.21. Racing in another field of athletes across Division I, II, and III, Nelson’s time in the 200 broke her own school record and ranks second in Division III this season. This is the first time in program history that a female athlete from Gustavus has been named National Athlete of the Week during the indoor season.
Nelson was also selected the MIAC Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.