Nelson '97 sets Dartmouth Relays mark

Monday, January 21, 2002

Olympic silver medalist Adam Nelson '97 returned to his alma mater two weeks ago to compete in the 33rd Annual Dartmouth Relays at the Leverone Field House.

While an undergraduate at Dartmouth, Nelson was a three-time All-American in track and field, winning the NCAA outdoor title in 1997. Nelson holds the Dartmouth all-time shot put record with a throw of 65-feet 3-inches, a record he broke at this year's Relays.

While at Dartmouth Nelson excelled not only in track and field but on the gridiron as well; he was the first freshman to play varsity football at Dartmouth in 1993 after the Ivy League lifted its ban on first-year participation. He was also a member of Dartmouth's undefeated 1996 team. Nelson pulled off the best throw in the world in 2000 on his last try at the Olympic trials to move into the first slot ahead of some impressive competitors. His 72'-plus heave was an Olympics trials record.

According to one member of the Dartmouth track team who watched Nelson at work while he was here, 'he tore through each throw with a passionate burst of fury and energy.'

The photo on the left is from the U.S. National team, and the one on the right is courtesy of Dartmouth athletics.

Nelson '97 sets Dartmouth Relays mark

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