Career
He is a 2007 Big 12 Conference titleholder, a four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association All-American, and a runner-up at the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association Outdoor Championships. He also posted a personal best time of 8:17.27 by finishing eleventh at the 2011 Diamond League Meet in Monaco. In the same year, Nelson claimed his first ever career title at the United States. Outdoor Track & Field Championships, with a time of 8:28.46.
Nelson earned a spot on the United States. team for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, by placing second at the United States. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, with a time of 8:21.47.
He finished the race in eleventh place by six tenths of a second (060) behind Great Britain"s Andrew Lemoncello, with a time of 8:36.66. Nelson, however, failed to advance into the final, as he placed thirtieth overall, and was ranked farther below four mandatory slots for the next round.
Nelson earned a spot on the United States. team for the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South of Korea, by winning the Steeplechase event at the United States. Track & Field Championships. Nelson also sought to qualify for his second Olympics in London.
However, he finished only in eighth place at the 2012 United States. Olympic Trials, with a time of 8:32.21.
In 2014, Nelson decided to take his participation in Track & Field to the next level, by running for the Freedom of Leonard Peltier. He also wore the jersey at the United States of America Championships in Sacramento, California, where he place 12th overall. He works as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Cross Country/Track & Field programs at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.
