SIOUX CITY, IOWA - The University of South Dakota track and field team has built a tradition of outstanding pole vaulters. At the Sioux City Relays this weekend, South Dakota built on that tradition by winning both the men's and women's pole vault events. In fact, the USD women's team took the top four places in the vault led by senior Sandy Pelkofer, who established a new Sioux City Relays record. In all, the Coyote women's set two records during the relays. Overall, the Coyotes had several strong performances at the relays, including six individual titles. Pelkofer of Rapid City set a college division record at the Sioux City Relays, clearing 12'1. That mark bettered her mark of 12'0, which was set, last year at the Sioux City Relays. Pelkofer, a four-time All American, has won a national indoor pole vault title in 2001 and was the national runner-up this past indoor season. Pelkofer's personal best is 12'5, which she set outdoors and is a NCC record.

Aside from Pelkofer, Marci Miller (Rapid City, S.D.) finished second with a vault of 11'6 while Jaime Strong (McCook Lake, S.D.) finished third at 10'0. Jill Kurtenbach (Dimock, S.D.), who also finished 4th in the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.30) was fourth at 9'6 in the vault. Both Pelkofer and Miller are former South Dakota prep pole vault champions. On the men's side, Sam Pribyl of Webster, S.D., won the pole vault competition with a vault of 15'9. Pribyl is a three-time South Dakota prep champion. The record in the pole vault at the Sioux City Relays is 18'9 set last year by former USD standout Derek Miles, who is one of the best vaulters in the world.

Aside from Pribyl, three other USD men's team members finished in the top seven of the pole vault. Greg Bennett (Powell, Wyo.) was fifth (14'0), Eric Tarasewicz (Cottage Grove, Minn.) was sixth (14'0), and Jacob Diedtrich (Custer, S.D.) was seventh (13'0).

REVIEW OF WOMEN'S RESULTS

The other Sioux City Relays record was by Brianne Vette (Spearfish, S.D.), who finished first in the triple jump (37'11). Vette also finished second in the long jump (17'11 1/2) and was fourth in the 100 hurdles (:15.44). Other strong performances included a win by Jennie Buller (Yankton, S.D.) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:44.59). The women's 4x100-meter relay (:48.90) won a Sioux City Relays title and Tammie Christensen (Freeman, S.D.) finished first in the 800 meters (2:18.77) and third in the 400-meter dash (1:00.32).

Sarah Hoffman (Mitchell, S.D.), was second in the 400-meter hurdles (1:03.98) and sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (:15:56).

Mandy Muller (Schuyler, Neb.) won the hammer throw (167'07), finished second in the discus (141'02) and was sixth (39'6) in the shot put. Susan Chamberlain (Earling, Iowa) was fifth in the shot put (39'09) and fifth in the hammer throw (147'0). Kassidi Myrick (Winner, S.D.) was second in the hammer throw (162'02) and seventh in the javelin (108'02).

Aimee Dunlop (Woodbine, Neb.) was third in the 1,500-meter run (5:04.06). In the 100-meter dash Amanda Dykstra (Yankton, S.D.), was third (12.68) while Amber Bretschneider (Pierce, Neb.) finished fourth (12.86). In the 100 hurdles, Diana Scott (Norfolk, Neb.) was third in 15.44.

The Coyote women's team won the distance medley (12:57.60), finished second in the 4x200 meter relay (1:44.39) and fourth in the 4x400 relay, 4:10.25.

MEN'S RESULTS

Chad Rohde (Watertown, S.D.) finished second in the high jump (6'4) while Jesse Coy (Hill City, S.D.) was third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:01.58).

Vinnie Olson (Pierre, S.D.), who was third in the shot put (50'11), also placed finished fourth (138'0) in the discus. Chad Bell (Alexandria, S.D.) was fifth (137'5) in the discus and fifth in the javelin (173'05). Wayne Reynolds (Omaha, Neb.) finished second in the 400 meter hurdles (:56.21) and he was fourth in the 110 high hurdles (:15.35).

Shane Roder (McCook Lake, S.D.) was fifth in the 800-meter run (1:53.18) while Brendan Huber (Huron, S.D.) was fifth (33:06.60) and David Johannson (Ghent, Minn.), 6th (33:10.0) in the 10,000-meter run.

Jason Briggs (Mitchell, S.D.) was fourth (:57.44) and Chad Erling (Bellevue, Neb.), fifth (:57.63) in the 400-meter hurdles.

Harvey Coble (Council Bluffs, Iowa) finished sixth in the 1,500 meter run (4:08.77).

South Dakota won the sprint medley relay (3:33.27).