Hawk Item — Finished his career ranking fourth in UI record books in 100 breast (53.91) and sixth in 200 breast (1:59.16)… competed at the 2016 USA Olympic Team Trials in 100-meter breast.
2015-16 — Posted an NCAA “B” qualifying time in 100 breast (54.57)… ranked third on team in 200 breast (1:59.81) and swam season-bests in 50 free (21.44) and 200 IM (1:57.88)… swam a collegiate-best in 100 free (49.98)… member of the team’s second-fastest 400-medley relay (3:16.66)… scored in two events at the Big Ten Championships, placing 19th in 100 breast (54.57) and 24th in 200 breast (2:01.12)… won the 100 breast in the season-opening dual at Illinois Chicago (9/26)… recipient of the team’s Jim Marshall Award… Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
2014-15 — NCAA Championships qualifier, serving as an alternate… posted NCAA “B” qualifying times in the 100 and 200 breast… swam a collegiate-best time in the 200 breast (1:59.16)… recorded team’s second-fastest 100 breast (54.34) and 200 breast times (1:59.16)… ranks sixth all-time in 200 breast… member of team’s fourth-fastest 200 medley relay (1:29.81) and fifth-fastest 400 medley relay (3:27.67)… posted 11 top-five finishes… honorable mention CSCAA Scholar All-American… named Academic All-Big Ten… Dean’s List honoree for the spring semester… letterwinner.
2013-14 — Swam collegiate-best time in the 200-breast (2:00.04) at Big Ten Championships, and 200 IM (1:53.78) and 50-free (21.77) at the Hawkeye Invitational… 200-breast time ranks ninth-best in program history… swam season-best 100-breast (55.50) at Hawkeye Invitational… registered seven top-10 times this season and swam on three relays that posted top-three finishes… Academic All-Big Ten… letterwinner.
2012-13 — Posted an NCAA “B” qualifying time in the 100 breast (53.91)… swam collegiate best time in 50 free (21.86) at the Hawkeye Invitational and 100 (53.91) and 200 (2:01.30) breast at the Big Ten Championships… finished 12th in the 100 breast and 27th in the 200 breaststroke at the Big Tens… posted a pair of top-five finishes… letterwinner… advanced to the finals in the 50-meter breaststroke at the 2013 Phillips 66 National Championships and World Championships Trials, finishing 13th in 28.71 seconds… posted a time of 28.59 — the ninth-fastest time — to advance to finals… also placed 25th in the prelims of 100-meter breast (1:04.33).
High School — Two-time individual state champion, four-time state team champion… earned All-American and All-Arizona team honors as a senior after winning the 100 breast at the state meet… earned second team All-Arizona honors in the 100 breast as a junior… team co-captain as senior… Olympic Trial qualifier in the 100 breast… named the Phoenix Swim Club’s Most Spirited honoree as a junior and the MVP in 2012… two-time recipient of the Spencer Logan Black Cap Award, which epitomizes strong moral character… posted meet records at the Western Zone Speedo Champion Series in the 200 and 400 medley relays… best times are 55.02 (100 breast) and 2:05.41 (200 breast)… named a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American and a Brophy College Preparatory Scholar-Athlete… member of the National Honor Society and on the Spanish Honor Society executive board… coached by Garrett McCaffery and Danny Nichols.
Personal — Born Nov. 15, 1993… son of Jeff and Vicki Nelson… has two older siblings, Adam and Krista… majoring in psychology.
Nelson’s Collegiate Bests
| Event | Time | Meet | Date |
| 50 Free | 21.33 | Hawkeye Invitational | 12/6/13 |
| 100 Free | 49.98 | at Purdue | 11/6/15 |
| 200 Free | 2:01.30 | at Big Ten Championships | 3/2/13 |
| 100 Breast | 53.91 | at Big Ten Championships | 3/1/13 |
| 200 Breast | 1:59.16 | Big Ten Championships | 2/26-28/15 |
| 200 IM | 1:53.78 | Hawkeye Invitational | 12/6/13 |