University of South Dakota Athletics

Gene Kluck, from Watertown, SD, played a key role in USD's North Central Conference track championship in 1961. It was the Coyotes first title since 1931. Kluck won the 880 in the 1:56.5 and ran third on the winning mile relay, which set a meet record of 3:21.1 to clinch the meet for the Coyotes. The captain of the 1961 track squad, Kluck finished third in the 440 at the Drake Relays. As a sophomore at the 1959 NCC meet, Kluck won the 440-yard dash (51.0) and ran on the winning mile relay (3:30.5). As a junior he finished second in the 440 at the 1960 NCC meet.