Results

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Strong performances by their distance runner corps highlighted the first day of action for the South Dakota track and field teams as they began competition at the Kansas Relays Thursday in Lawrence, Kan. Several personal-best and season-best times were recorded on the day by the Coyote runners.

For the Coyote men, sophomore Alex Hohenthaner (Yankton, S.D.) was second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, running a time of 9:52.31 - shattering a previous personal-best by nearly 20 seconds. Sophomore Jeff Mettler (Eureka, S.D.) set a personal-best in the 5,000 meters with a runner-up time of 14:50.35.

Sophomore Travis Brenner (Yankton, S.D.) was sixth in the men's 1,500 meters with a season-best time of 3:55.08, just .06 seconds away from his personal best in the event.

Junior Benson Langat (Kapsabet, Kenya) ran a personal-best in the mile (4:22.50), while Tyler Sternhagen ran a personal-best of 1:57.18 in the 800 meters.

For the Coyote women, sophomore Ashleigh Giese (Marshall, Wis.) was fourth in the 1,500 meters with a personal best of 4:44.15. Junior Carol Miller (Mead, Neb.) ran a season-best of 4:47.32, while junior Kelsey Robish (Huron, S.D.) ran a personal-best of 4:50.10 in the event.

Junior Ali Gress (Papillion, Neb.) was fourth in the women's 10,000 meters at 39:04.35, which was a personal-best. Junior Jessica Brandli (Rapid City, S.D.) was ninth in the 5,000-meter run at 17:50.27, which was a season-best. Sophomore Britni Waller (Lincoln, Neb.) clocked 18:51.24 in the 5,000.

The Coyotes also had a pair of personal-best runs in the women's 800 meters, as freshman Kristie Mullen (Omaha, Neb.) was 10th in the event with a personal-best of 2:15.62. Senior Natalie Newman (Overland Park, Kan.), running in her home state of Kansas, ran a personal best of 2:16.02 in the event.

South Dakota will compete for a second day at the event on Friday. The Coyotes will also have a contingent of athletes competing at the famed Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., starting Friday.