SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota junior Abby Ripperda has been named the Summit League Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the period ended Oct. 20. This marks the fourth time this season that Ripperda has received the honor from the league.
 
After making her season debut at 6,000 meters this weekend, Ripperda owns the fastest times in the Summit League for both 5,000 and 6,000 meters this fall. She won the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday with an impressive clocking of 20 minutes, 49.9 seconds. She topped the field by 14 seconds.
 
Ripperda is one of two Coyotes to capture an individual title at the Bradley "Pink" Classic, joining alumna Amber Eichkorn (2015). In addition, only Eichkorn and Ramsey (Kavan) Fitzsimmons have run faster than Ripperda at the distance in South Dakota's Division I history.
 
South Dakota returns to action at the Summit League Championships held Saturday, Nov. 2, in Fargo, North Dakota.