MINNEAPOLIS—South Dakota junior Helen Falda vaulted an indoor personal best of 14 feet, 2 inches, to win the pole vault at the Jack Johnson Classic on Friday night.
 
The height moves Falda into sixth in the nation this season. She vaulted past the 14-foot barrier three times during her sophomore season, her first at USD after transferring from UT Arlington. Falda captures South Dakota's 26th event title at the Jack Johnson Classic since 2012, the third title in the women's pole vault.
 
The Coyotes swept the top-three in the women's pole vault with senior Kimmy Peterson and sophomore Landon Kemp taking second and third, respectively. Peterson, a graduate transfer from the University of Sioux Falls, vaulted an indoor personal best of 13-6 ½ to move to 23rd in the NCAA. Kemp cleared a season-best 13-2 ½, an inch shy of her career high, for third place.
 
Sophomore Holly Gerberding finished eighth in the pentathlon with 3,297 points.
 
Through four events, senior Deshonn Brown sitting second in men's heptathlon with 2,675 points. Brown is competing in the multi-event for the first time at USD. He moved into second place after winning the high jump in a season-best height of 6-9 ¾ to wrap up day one.
 
The Coyotes return to action in Minnesota at 10 a.m. Saturday.