May 12, 2014
VERMILLION, S.D. -- The University of South Dakota awarded degrees to more than 1,200 candidates at the 127th annual spring commencement on Saturday, May 10 in the DakotaDome. Brendan Johnson, a 1998 USD graduate and the 40th United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota, was the keynote speaker. Among those receiving their diplomas were 37 South Dakota student-athletes. The men's and women's track and field teams led the way with 15 graduates, 10 women and five men. The football program followed with eight graduates.
Here is a list of the 37 student-athletes with their names, sport and degree earned:
| Name |
Sport |
Degree |
| Earv Archambeau |
Football |
BS-Psychology |
| Lindsey Boyd |
Softball |
BBA-Management |
| Christine Broders |
Softball |
BS-Psychology |
| Megan Chmielewski |
Women's Swimming & Diving |
BS-Health Sciences |
| Tansha Clarke |
Women's Track & Field |
BA-Criminal Justice |
| Jilanne Doom |
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BA-Political Science/Contemporary Media and Journalism, Journalism specialization |
| Michelle Elkin |
Women's Tennis |
BS-Criminal Justice |
| Katie Ferguson |
Women's Track & Field |
BS-Biology, Molecular Biology and Physiology specialization |
| Jerrod Freidel |
Football |
BGS-General Studies |
| Trevor Gruis |
Men's Basketball |
BS-Health Sciences |
| Megan Hilson |
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BS-Kinesiology and Sports Science, Excercise Science specialization |
| Alex Hohenthaner |
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BS-Kinesiology and Sports Science, Excercise Science specialization |
| Breanna Janovy |
Women's Track & Field |
BGS-General Studies |
| Josee Jansen |
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BS-Health Sciences |
| Afton Keiser |
Women's Soccer |
BS-Health Sciences |
| Austin Koch |
Football |
BS-Kinesiology and Sports Science, Sports Management specialization |
| Brandon Kovash |
Men's Track & Field |
BS-Psychology |
| Kassie Loe |
Softball |
BS-Health Sciences |
| Jeff Mettler |
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BS-Kinesiology and Sports Science, Excercise Science specialization |
| Marc Murtha |
Football |
BA-Criminal Justice |
| Steve Nelson |
Football |
BBA-Marketing |
| Cody O'Neill |
Football |
BSED - Physical Education |
| Paige Policky |
Softball |
BS-Psychology |
| Karim Rowson |
Men's Basketball |
BGS-General Studies |
| Casey Shade |
Men's Track & Field |
BSED-Physical Education |
| Hailey Sheldahl |
Women's Golf |
BBA-Accounting |
| McKenzie Shroyer |
Women's Swimming & Diving |
BA-Criminal Justice |
| Kristin Steffen |
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BS-Kinesiology and Sports Science, Excercise Science specialization |
| Denton Stephens |
Men's Track & Field |
BS-Health Sciences |
| Britni Waller |
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field |
BS-Contemporary Media and Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations specializations |
| Natalie Walseth |
Volleyball |
BA-Contemporary Media and Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations specialization |
| Corey Wannamaker |
Women's Swimming & Diving |
BA-History |
| Maddy Warder |
Women's Tennis |
BA-Political Science |
| Tricia Watson |
Women's Track & Field |
BS-Psychology |
| Kate Wellensiek |
Women's Track & Field |
BS-Addiction Studies, Treatment specialization |
| Tyler Wilhelm |
Football |
BBA-Management |
| Anthony Williams |
Football |
BS-Criminal Justice |