Tiger Alum Vance Nilsson Races to an NCAA National Championship
Tiger Alum Vance Nilsson Races to an NCAA National Championship
Gilbert High School
Photo by MJ Holloway
Over its century-long history, Gilbert High School has seen thousands of students walk through its doors, each leaving their own mark on our community. From those generations of graduates, former Tigers regularly go on to achieve extraordinary things, carrying our tradition of excellence into the world. The latest example comes from a Class of 2024 Track and Field athlete, Vance Nilsson.
Vance is now an NCAA National Champion, capturing the title in the 400-meter hurdles for the University of Florida.
Before he wore the blue and orange at Florida, Vance was a standout student-athlete at Gilbert High. He was named a 2024 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, advanced to the semifinals at the 2024 US Olympic Trials, and became the World U20 Champion in Lima, Peru. He also holds the high school national record in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 34.83 seconds - becoming the first American high school student to ever run the event in under 35 seconds.
At Gilbert High, our goal is to prepare students to successfully navigate the challenges of life after high school, and Vance’s journey from our local track to a national championship is a strong reflection of that commitment.
Whether our students are pursuing elite athletics, managing advanced academic programs, or finding their unique niche on our campus, our families, teachers, and staff work to give every student the foundation they need to thrive.
We are incredibly proud of Vance, and we look forward to supporting the next generation of Tigers as they discover their own paths to excellence.
Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger! To learn more about athletics at Gilbert High, visit GilbertSchools.net/Athletics.