ELMHURST, Ill.—South Dakota sophomore pole vaulters Makiah Hunt and Chris Nilsen each garnered Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards for the period ended April 29.
 
Nilsen garners the award for the 15th time of his career while Hunt earns the honor for the first time of her career.
 
Hunt captured a Drake Relays title in the women's pole vault after clearing a five-inch personal best of 13 feet, 9 ¼ inches, in a jump-off with NDSU's Lauren Gietzsen. She cleared up to 13-3 ½ without a miss in the competition. Hunt's height ties for 19th in the NCAA. One of three Coyotes to win a Drake Relays title over the weekend, Hunt helped bring USD's total to 21 Drake Relays titles in history. Earlier in the week, she vaulted a then-personal best of 13-4 ¼ to finish runner-up at the USD Twilight.
 
Nilsen placed second in the Drake Relays elite pole vault for the second-straight season to 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Sam Kendricks. Nilsen was the only collegian in the field, topping several professionals including the Canadian and Argentine record holders. He vaulted 18-11 ½ for the highest mark by a collegian in 109 years of the Drake Relays. Earlier in the week, Nilsen won the USD Twilight with a height of 18-8 ¼. He holds the NCAA lead this season with a jump of 19-0 ¼.
 
The Coyotes are slated to compete at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays beginning at 10:30 a.m. Friday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.