SIOUX CITY, Iowa–South Dakota senior Emily Grove became the ninth collegiate woman in history to break the 15-foot barrier in the pole vault at the Sioux City Relays held at Olsen Stadium on Friday. The Coyotes tallied 10 victories on the first day of the meet.
 
Grove cleared a lifetime personal best and South Dakota program record 15 feet, 1 inch, to win on Friday evening. The mark, which she cleared on her first attempt, vaults her to the top spot in the NCAA this season and fifth in the world (IAAF). The height also gives her the qualifying standard for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London this summer. Senior Emily Brigham finished runner-up to Grove with a height of 13-1 ¾.

The Coyotes also posted an NCAA-leading mark in the men's pole vault with freshman Chris Nilsen clearing a new personal best and South Dakota program record of 18-9 ½, per Sioux City Journal. Nilsen entered the meet having made 18-8 ¼ four times in his freshman campaign. The new height moves him into sole possession of the NCAA's top mark and third in the world (IAAF).
 
Senior Tyler Frank was a quarter-inch shy of his outdoor best by winning in the high jump in 6-11 ½. Freshman Zack Anderson placed third with a clearance of 6-8. Anderson also finished runner-up in the triple jump with a leap of 43-11 ¾.
 
Competing unattached, Ashley Thompson captured the triple jump in 38-7 ½ and led a trio of Coyote freshmen in placing directly behind her for a sweep of the top four spots. Freshman Samara Spencer placed second in 37-5 ¾, Britny Kerr took third in 36-11 and Ivy Haines was fourth in 36-7 ¾.
 
Junior Jacob Barents was victorious in the shot put with a throw of 56-0 ½. Sophomore teammate Ben Hammer finished runner-up in 52-6 ½.
 
Three-time Olympian and current USD throws coach A.G. Kruger broke out his throwing shoes to capture the hammer throw in 223-3. Kruger's athletes finished right behind him in second and third. Junior Ethan Fenchel took second in 194-6 and Barents was third.
 
On the women's side, senior Danielle Waldner tied her own school record by launching the hammer 190-4 for third place. Junior Lara Boman took fourth in 164-7.
 
Sophomore Megan Billington led a Coyote sweep of the top three spots in the 5,000 meters. Billington won the event in 17:25.40. Junior Erin Wetzstein finished second in 17:33.02 and freshman Ellie Coyle took third.
 
Redshirt-junior Nicole Schmidt edged the competition in a photo finish in the 800 meters. Schmidt leaned across the line in 2:13.11 for the victory. Junior Lindsay Joyce, competing back in her hometown of Sioux City, Iowa, took third in a personal best of 2:13.46. On the men's side, sophomore Jacob Simmons finished runner-up in 1:54.03.
 
Junior Brooke Ireland won the 400 meters in 56.08 seconds. On the men's side, sophomore Mario Magana took second place in 49.14.
 
Sophomore Kari Dufoe captured the 200 meters in 24.86 seconds, just off her personal best of 24.50 from earlier this season. Freshman Tasheka Gordon placed third in 25.78.
 
A pair of Coyotes, junior Tomas Kamenik and sophomore Haley Bruggeman, finished runner-up in the men's and women's 400 hurdles. Kamenik crossed the line in 55.51 seconds and Bruggeman clocked 1:04.04.
 
Senior Meghan Dennis took third in the discus with a throw of 145-4.
 
Kerr added to her triple jump bronze by finishing third in the high jump with a clearance of 5-4 ¼.
 
The Coyotes resume action at 9 a.m. Saturday.