Dylan Nelson '20 Recruiting Profile

SIGNED NLI TO TROY UNIVERSITY ON 1/31/2020

Currently I am a 4 time National Champion and 5 time AAU All American in Track and Field (2X National Champion in the 2k Steeplechase in 2017 and 2018, and Jr Olympic Champion in 2018) and also in Cross Country.  In addition to the AAU titles, I was the National Champion in the 2k Steeplechase at the USATF Youth National Championships in 2018, achieving All American Status as well.  In Cross Country I have made the All South team at Foot Locker the last 2 years   

I started running as an offshoot from competing in triathlons (since age 9).  As an 8th grader, I ran Middle School Cross Country meets unattached (my school didn't have a team) and won the title of North Florida Middle School Male Champion.  I have also been recognized as the 2016 Male Youth Runner of the Year for North Florida.  

As a Freshman runner, I was the #1 runner on my Varsity Cross Country team, and set 2 school records in a successful first season. During the Outdoor Track season I was also the #1 distance runner on the Varsity Team competing in the mile and 2 mile.

My Sophomore Year was successful as well, in Cross Country I lowered my school record 3 times during the season. I was also 1st team all conference, County, and District, and 3rd team all Region.  I placed 5th at the AAU National Cross Country Championships at McAlpine Park in Charlotte and earned AAU All American status to wrap up my  Sophomore Year of Cross Country. I also lowered my road PR in the 5k to 16:09 at a local road race. During the Outdoor Season I broke the School Record in the 3200 3 times and advanced through Regionals with a time of 9:58. I earned several post season and 1st team recognitions as well.

My Junior year in Cross Country, I have lowered my school record twice going into Regionals to 16:08, I have been named to numerous All Star teams including All Conference, County, District, Regional, and 2nd team All State. At the Florida State Championships I placed in the top 20 in the states largest school classification.  At Foot Locker I finished 13th in the Jr Class Race and made the All South 2nd team.  In track I lowered my school records in the 3200 and Steeplechase, and again was all county, district and region.

Senior Year in Cross Country I have won 3 meets and been top 8 in two others. I have steadily been dropping times and will be shooting for high placings in the Championship Season upcoming. My Goal is a top  5 at States and a mid 15' time.

I have been fortunate enough to compete in the AAU Junior Olympics and Club Championships for six years and am a 12 time Club Championship individual medalist. In 2017 and 2018, I was the AAU Club National Champion in the 2k Steeplechase, and followed that up with a Bronze Medal at the 2017 AAU Jr Olympics at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti MI where I ran a then PR time of 6:34.14. In the summer of 2018, I won the National Title in the 2k steeplechase at the USATF Youth National Championships in June, and was able to repeat my title win at the AAU Nationals in a time of 6:33. And most recently went back to the AAU Jr Olympics and won the 15-16 AG in the steeplechase, dropping my then PR to 6:28.

I have maintained Honor Roll throughout school, taking honors English and Science classes as they've been available, and added AP courses to my schedule as a Sophomore.  As a Junior I took 2 AP courses and a AICE Science Course. I am also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. In Middle School, I was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and asked to be a 2-year member of my school's Peer Mentoring program.  

Music has been part of my life since I was six.  I was the first sixth grader to make the Drumline for my Middle School.   As a member of the Concert, Jazz, and Pep Bands in Junior High I had the fortune of being a member of one of the state's top bands and was honored to be selected to the County Honor Band.  As a freshman, I was once again the school's youngest member of the marching band Snare Line. As a Sophomore I was the 2nd snare in the drum line. As a Junior I was the center snare and Drum line Captain. As a Senior I am the Center Snare, and Drum Line Captain again, along with being a Percussion Section Leader in the Marching Band, and also a Percussionist in the Wind Ensemble.

I have been involved in Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts since first grade.  I just proudly earned my Boy Scout Eagle Scout Rank last year.  

After volunteering at CORA Riverside Rehabilitation Clinic this summer, I am considering a career in Physical Therapy in addition to the consideration of First Responder/Emergency Medicine, Sports Psychology, Exercise Physiology, and Business are also Majors I have interest in.