NEW ORLEANS—The South Dakota track and field program is ranked in the top 15 percent of programs sponsoring NCAA Division I track and field by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) entering the 2019 season.
 
The Coyote women are ranked 36th out of 329 women's programs, while the Coyote men sit 38th out of 278 men's programs.
 
South Dakota's women are the top-ranked Summit League program with North Dakota State sitting behind them in 41st. Three Coyotes score for the women with junior Samara Spencer's long jump mark of 21-1 ¼ sitting fourth among returners. Junior Helen Falda's height of 14-0 ¾ in the pole vault and senior Lara Boman's weight throw of 66-6 ½ add to USD's score.
 
The Coyote men are one of two Summit League programs ranked in the top-50, joined by North Dakota State. Among the athletes scoring for the Coyotes are a pair of junior pole vaulters in Chris Nilsen and Nick Johnson. Nilsen holds the top indoor mark among returners at 19-0 ¼. Junior Zack Anderson's high jump height of 7-1 ½ from December and senior Ethan Fenchel's weight throw of 66-5 ¼ from last season also score for USD.
 
South Dakota begins 2019 with a trip to Iowa City, Iowa, for the Hawkeye Invitational on Friday and Saturday.