University of South Dakota Athletics

Don Maryott, originally of Bassett, NE, was a track and field specialist when he starred at South Dakota from 1970-74. He excelled in both the long jump and as a standout sprinter. Maryott was a two-time all-American and there weren't many in the nation who possessed his ability. At the 1978 Howard Wood Dakota Relays, Maryott made state history in setting an all-time South Dakota intercollegiate record with an eye-popping jump of 25-5 1/2 and the performance still stands as a USD record. A few weeks later at the national outdoor meet, Maryott challenged the mark and again crossed 25 feet by going 25 feet, 3/2 inches. Maryott's career consisted of a number of highlights. He placed fourth at the prestigious Drake Relays in 1976 and he was second at the Kansas Relays in 1977. When he finished he also held records in the triple jump and he ran on the recorded-setting spring medley, 880 sprint and 440-yard relay teams. He finished sixth at the NCAA Division II nationals in the long jump in 1975 and 1977.