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William Andrew Nelson (born September 11, 1984, in Bakersfield, California, attended Taft Union High School) is an American steeplechase runner.[2] He is a two-time (2007 and 2008) Big 12 Conference steeplechase titleholder, a six-time NCAA All-American, and a runner-up at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships.[1] He also posted a personal best time of 8:17.27 by finishing eleventh at the 2011 Diamond League Meet in Monaco.[3] In the same year, Nelson claimed his first ever career title at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships, with a time of 8:28.46.[4][5]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | William Andrew Nelson |
| Nickname | Billy |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | September 11, 1984 Bakersfield, California[1] |
| Height | 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country | USA |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Event | 3000 metres steeplechase |
| College team | Colorado |
| Coached by | Mark Wetmore[1] & Heather Burroughs |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Olympic finals | 2008, steeplechase |
| World finals | 2011, steeplechase |
| National finals | 2008 Olympic Trials Runner Up 2011 USA Champion |
| Personal best | 1500 m: 3:41.57 (2012) 3000 m steeplechase: 8:17.27 (2011) |
Nelson earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, by placing second at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a time of 8:21.47.[6] He competed as a member of the U.S. track and field team in the men's 3000 m steeplechase, along with his teammates Anthony Famiglietti and Joshua McAdams. Nelson ran in the second heat against thirteen other athletes, including Famiglietti, and France's Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad, who later won the silver medal in the final. He finished the race in eleventh place by six tenths of a second (0.60) behind Great Britain's Andrew Lemoncello, with a time of 8:36.66. Nelson, however, failed to advance into the final, as he placed thirtieth overall, and was ranked farther below four mandatory slots for the next round.[7]
Nelson earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, by winning the steeplechase event at the U.S. Track & Field Championships.
Nelson also sought to qualify for his second Olympics in London; however, he finished only in eighth place at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, with a time of 8:32.21.[8]
In 2014, Nelson decided to take his participation in Track & Field to the next level, by running for the freedom of Leonard Peltier. He ran in a "Free Leonard Peltier" jersey in four races, including the Payton Jordan Invitational, where he won the steeplechase in a time of 8:28.40. He also wore the jersey at the USA Championships in Sacramento, CA, where he placed 12th overall.[9]
Nelson currently resides in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife Alisa, and four children: Arabella Kennedy, Noah Andrew, Lonnie Jack and Wyatt Watkins. He works as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Cross Country/Track & Field programs at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
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