Van Nelson

Van Nelson won the 5K/10K double at the 1967 Pan American Games, one of only two athletes to win that double through 2019 (Osvaldo Suárez (ARG) did it in 1955). In that same year Nelson was double silver medalist in the two distance events at the Universiade. He was AAU 6-mile champion in 1967 and finished third in the AAU 10K in 1968. At 3-miles/5K he was fourth in the AAU in 1966 and 1968 and third in 1967. He ran for St. Cloud State College, and while there won seven NAIA titles – the indoor 2-mile in 1966-68, and outdoors winning the 3- and 6-miles in 1967-68. At the Drake Relays he won the 3/6-mile double three years in a row, 1966-68.

Nelson later taught in the Edina School District in Minnesota, spending 41 years as a teacher, and coached track into the 2020s.

Personal Bests: Mile – 4:17.9 (1964); 2 miles – 8:39.2i (1967); 5000 – 13:39.4 (1967); 10000 – 28:48.20 (1967); 3000S – 9:22.4 (1966).