A long journey with many hurdles in the way ended with a collegiate signing for Powell High School senior Caden Nelson, who will attend NCAA Division II Black Hills State University in the fall for track and field.

Getting on the track has been a difficulty in itself for Nelson, who was unable to compete his freshman year following health concerns.

“It’s kind of made me realize that life is too short, sometimes you’ve just got to take it a step at a time,” Nelson said. “Once I knew I wanted it, I might as well make it official … It just felt like this was going to be the best opportunity for me, so I didn’t want to waste any time with anything else.”

In the one season Nelson was healthy he made a major impact for the Panthers, winning the long jump with a school record 22 feet, 9 1/2 inches, while also placing second in the 200 meters with a time of 22.18 and third in the 100 meters with a time of 11.37 seconds.

“Sophomore year had a lot of ups and downs,” Nelson said. “That year I was able to claim the long jump title and break the school record and do well in the 100 and 200, those were definitely the highlights of my career.”

Following that season, Nelson was unable to compete in athletics once again his junior year, suffering a torn ACL during the football season which held him out.

“Some people look at an ACL tear as you’re done with everything, and some take it as an opportunity,” Nelson said. “I tried my best to take it as an opportunity, but it made some things harder. Some coaches look at someone with a torn ACL as risky, but coach [Alex] Kemp over at Black Hills looked at it as an opportunity to make me better and have a stronger mentality. That’s part of the reason why I chose them too, is he was taking the risk on me after all this.”

In his senior season Nelson has been back on the basketball court for the Panthers, recovering in order to play this year before heading out for the track season this spring.

“Coach [Chase] Kistler has helped out a lot, and he’s been there for me when I needed it. Coach [Mike] Heny especially too,” Nelson said. “My track coaches were always checking up and making sure everything was going all right … That all really helped drive me … All the coaches I’ve had were really big on this journey.”

Settling on Black Hills was important for Nelson as the smaller town feel helped drive his choice for Spearfish, South Dakota.

“I was looking at quite a few schools … It’s not too big, but just how close it is and how it reminded me of home, I’d say that’s what made me decide on it,” Nelson said.

Getting back on the track will be a big step for Nelson this spring, knowing there will be a lot of competition around the state his senior campaign.

“Jumps and sprints it’s going to be really close,” Nelson said. “I want to go out there and beat them. Knowing the level they’re at, it’s definitely improved my training thinking that I just need to be training harder than them at all times.”

Nelson plans to study business finance at Black Hills, “an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.”

He added that his parents and friends have been a big part of his journey through his time as a Panther, helping him reach that next level.

“My parents especially, putting up with me every day, having to help me out, they were a huge part of this journey,” Nelson said. “I can’t thank everyone who was a part of it enough, it was a lot of people. It’s nice seeing all the support, that’s what got me to where I am now.”