Faribault Track & Field Facility to Bear Name of MSU Great Ted Nelson

Men's Track and Field | 4/21/2016 8:22:00 AM

Mankato, Minn. --- Faribault, Minn., officials have announced that the track & field complex at Bruce Smith Field will be named Ted Nelson Track.

Inducted into the Minnesota State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1982, Ted Nelson graduated from MSU in 1961 following a collegiate track and field career that saw him establish himself as one of the school's most all-time decorated student-athletes.

A four-year letter in college, Nelson captured national 800m championships at NAIA outdoor meets in 1958 and 1960 and his school record in the 800m (1:49.0) is the oldest standard in the MSU record books. He won 880-yard conference titles in four consecutive years (1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960) and was a member of MSU cross country teams that captured four consecutive league titles. He finished fourth at the national AAU meet in the 800m in 1960 and qualifyed and particpated in the 1960 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800m and mile. He established a world record in the indoor 800m in 1965 while competing at a meet in Berlin, Germany (1:47.4) that stood as an American record until 1969. He won the U.S. Indoor Championship in the 1000 yds in 1965 and 1966 and established a U.S. record (2:07.8) in the event in 1966.

Dedication of the facility in Faribault is scheduled to take place this afternoon (Thursday, April 21st) on the track at 4:00 p.m. with a high school track & field meet taking place following the ceremony. The address to Bruce Smith Field & Ted Nelson Track 1815 2nd NW Ave in Faribault.

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