Results

VERMILLION, S.D. - The South Dakota track and field teams got the 2012 indoor season off to an impressive start Saturday with 15 victories at the annual Graphic Edge Alumni Meet. The day was highlighted by seven performances that were the best in the Summit League so far this season.

For the women, several individuals shined, including freshman Emily Grove (Pontiac, Ill.), who was making her Coyote debut. Grove won the pole vault with an effort of 13-5 1/4 -- the best in the Summit League and the third-best in all of NCAA this season. Senior Emma Ladwig (Gayville, S.D.) also had strong season debut, winning the 800 meters with a time of 2:14.48 - best in the Summit League and 21st best in all of NCAA.

Senior Kenna Wolter (Santa Maria, Calif.) claimed a pair of wins on the day. She won the triple jump at 37-4 1/2, the best mark in the Summit League this year, and added a victory in the long jump at 18-2 1/2. Freshman Analisa Huschle (Bagley, Minn.) won the 60 meters at 7.69, best time in the Summit League this season. Her teammate, Gabriel Williams (Sioux City, Iowa) was second at 7.71, second-best mark in the Summit League this year. Huschle added a runner-up finish in the long jump (18-1 1/4) and a third-place finish in the high jump (5-6).

Also earning wins for the Coyote women were Britni Waller (Lincoln, Neb.), who captured the 1-mile at 5:09.95 and the South Dakota 4 x 400 relay, which won at 4:01.10.

The South Dakota men had several strong performances on the day. Sophomore Jeff Mettler (Eureka, S.D.) won the 3,000 meters at 8:26.9, the best mark in the Summit League and the 28th best in all of Division I. Junior Michael Burrus (Papillion, Neb.) won the 60 meters at 6.85, best mark in the Summit League and 34th best in Division I.

Freshman Kyle McKelvey (Beresford, S.D.) made an immediate impact in his first official meet as a Coyote, winning the shot put with a throw of 54-8 1/4 -- best mark in the Summit League and 40th distance in Division I. Junior Kyle Ballew (West Hills, Calif.) won the pole vault at 16-1 1/4, second-best in the Summit League and 36th best effort in the NCAA. Junior Casey Shade (Brandon, S.D.) won the 1,000 meters at 2:26.22, the second-fastest time in school history.

Also adding wins for the Coyote men were a pair of freshmen, Lukas Bernard (Watertown, S.D.) and Taylor Huseman (Manson, Iowa). Bernard won the 400 at 50.63, while Huseman claimed the 800 at 1:59.70. The Coyotes' 4 x 400 relay also was victorious.

The Coyote teams return to action Jan. 20-21 at the Jack Johnson Classic in Minneapolis, Minn.