Eastmark High's Bryson Nielsen reaching for the brass ring

Bryson Nielsen, 17, will be front and center watching tonight as the 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris kicks off an already exciting summer for the local All-American track and field athlete.

Nielsen kicked off his senior year at Eastmark High School this week after winning his heat and taking sixth nationally in the 800 meters at the 2024 Nike Outdoor Nationals and USA Track & Field U20 Outdoor Championships last month at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field in Eugene, where he turned in a personal best time of 1:51.30 in his heat of the GARMIN 800-meter championship. That time has him getting closer to making state history for the 800 meters.

Since seventh grade, Nielsen has been competing on the Firebirds track and field team, as well as the cross country team. He has quickly become one of Arizona's top track and field athletes.

Nielsen's mother, Andrea Nielsen, said that when her son placed sixth nationally, he earned a spot on the podium and that made him an All-American athlete. He had already earned All-State status after placing first in the 3200 meters for Arizona at the State Championship before heading to Nationals this summer.

"He qualified for all three (800 meters, 1600 meters and 3200 meters) and said he would be happy to do well in at least one, and he did. His dad and I are very proud of him and want him to love what he's doing, it should not be a chore (to compete)," said the proud mom. "We have always encouraged our (four) boys to be involved in something extracurricular at school, whether it be music or athletics. We don't put a lot of expectations on our kids other than to encourage them to stay committed to whatever they choose to pursue. We're hoping Bryson gets a scholarship, but not just an athletic scholarship, also an academic scholarship because he works really hard to maintain his grades. Some (colleges) have reached out, but he's taking his time."

Nielsen himself noted that while he hopes to participate in track and field competition at the collegiate level, he's also focused on academics and would like to major in either architecture, mechanical engineering or graphic design because he's enjoying his engineering and arts classes at Eastmark High School.

"I just want to take things step by step to get into college. Right now, I'm focused on getting back into shape because cross country is a fall sport and track and field is in the spring. I start at 5 a.m. and if I miss a morning, I run at night," he said. "With new freshmen coming in, I want to help get them interested in the sport and leave both teams as good as they are now during my senior year."

Nielsen started competing in track and field in elementary school physical education class.

"I got interested in track and field because I found it to be something fun I could do with my friends and I could do it without having to grab a lot of equipment," he explained.

When asked which competition he likes the most, Nielsen said, "all three are very different because the 800 is more of a full sprint race, the 3200 is all about timing the last two laps, and the 1600 is in between."

"Eastmark High School is very excited for Bryson and his recent accomplishment on a national stage. Bryson has worked extremely hard, and his accomplishment is a reflection of his dedication and training regimen. Bryson is extremely talented, and his work ethic matches that talent. He is a very special student-athlete," said Justin Monical, assistant principal and athletic director at Eastmark High School in the Queen Creek Unified School District. "Bryson races well on a very competitive stage. Arizona has a strong tradition in track and field. We are excited to become a part of that tradition at such an early stage in the history of Eastmark High School. Leadership takes many forms. Through his training and performance, Bryson leads by example. He is an inspiration for current and future Firebirds."

Monical expects Nielsen to continue to shine in his last year at Eastmark.

"Bryson is an extremely accomplished student. He puts his academic performance at the front of his decision making. We are supporting Bryson in his search for the university that best supports his career goals, and we believe he could contribute to the athletic and academic success of any institution that may consider Bryson as a potential student-athlete," added Monical. "Bryson has set a high standard for Eastmark athletics. His performance as a student-athlete is a model for all who compete with and follow him."