Meet Results

IOWA CITY, Iowa–Three South Dakota program records fell at the Hawkeye Challenge, the Coyote track and field season opener, by a trio of newcomers. The Coyotes won seven events at the meet.
 
Junior thrower Jacob Barents, freshman jumper Samara Spencer and freshman pole vaulter Chris Nilsen were each victorious in their respective events as they topped the Coyote record books.
 
Spencer doubled her winnings with a pair of victories in the long and triple jumps. It was in the long jump where she crushed Elena Swan's 19-year-old school record by more than a foot. Spencer leaped 21 feet, 1 ¼ inches. She also reached 40-7 ¾ in the triple jump, which is the fourth best mark on USD's all-time list.
 
A transfer from Iowa Western CC, Barents broke a 16-year-old record in the weight throw with a launch of 62-7 ¾. Dean Gillen's record of 61-0 ¾ had stood since 2001. Junior Ethan Fenchel threw a five-foot personal best to finish runner-up in 60-10.
 
Nilsen led the pole vault sweep with a school record leap of 17-10 ½. The previous record of 17-4 ½ was held by Kyle Ballew from 2012. Junior Jake David and freshman Ethan Bray both cleared 16-10 ¾ for second and third, respectively, based on misses. The height marks a personal best for both David and Bray, who are tied for fourth on USD's all-time list.
 
The Coyotes also swept the pole vault on the women's side. Competing unattached, five-time All-American Emily Grove cleared 14-5 ¼. Senior Madison Mills and junior Emily Brigham were the top two collegiates at 12-5 ½.
 
Senior Danielle Waldner captured the shot put in 50-4 ¾ and placed third in the weight throw in 56-5 ¾.
 
Two-time defending Summit League high jump champion senior Tyler Frank leaped over 6-11 to win his season opener. Freshman Zack Anderson cleared 6-9 ¾ to tie for second.
 
Junior Lindsay Joyce clocked a personal best 4:57.52 to place third in the mile. In her first meet back after redshirting last year's track season to injury, senior Amber Eichkorn finished right on Joyce's heels in fourth in 4:57.61.
 
Eichkorn also led a pack of Coyotes in the 3,000 meters. While Eichkorn placed third in 10:10.24, she was followed by sophomore Megan Billington, freshman Julia Noah and junior Erin Wetzstein. Junior Rachael Zeiger placed third in the 800 meters in 2:17.63.
 
Junior Gawain Williams placed third in the 60 meters with a clocking of 6.79 seconds.
 
Junior Brooke Ireland crossed the finish line in 58.35 seconds for third in the 400 meters.
 
Next up for the Coyotes is the Jim Emmerich Invitational in Brookings, S.D., on Saturday, Jan. 21.