EUGENE, Ore. — Former University of Oregon runner Nikki Hiltz qualified for their first Olympics, after running a time of 3:55.33 during the 1,500-meter race in the Eugene Olympic Trials.
Hiltz, who uses they/them pronouns, came out as transgender and nonbinary in 2021. They have always run with the LGBTQ+ community in mind.
Nikki Hiltz's career began at Oregon, where with the Ducks, they were a member of the 2015 NCAA Outdoor National Championship winning team. Hiltz placed eight in the mile run with a time of 4:34.57.
After the 2015 season, Hiltz transferred to Arkansas. With the Razorbacks, Hiltz had a productive career, including placing fifth in the 2016 Distance Medley Relay at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
It was the 2018 season where Hiltz soared to the top of collegiate running, where they were named a first team All-American in the 1,500-meter race and also placed third in the mile run at the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
In 2018, after their senior year, Hiltz turned pro, signing with Adidas and The Golden Coast Track Club.
Since then, Hiltz has won numerous events, including the 1,500 meters at the 2023 USA Track and Field Outdoor National Championships, and more recently receiving the silver medal in the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, in the 1,500-meter race.
This was not Hiltz's first Olympic Trials, as Hiltz participated but did not qualify for the 800 meters and the 1,500-meter race in the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Trials.
Now, Hiltz will be headed to their first Olympic games after qualifying at the Olympic Trials in Eugene.
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