SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota's track and field squad combined to win eight events – four men's and four women's – Friday at the 94^th running of the Howard Wood Relays.
 
Two Relays records were broken in the process. Sophomore Jonna Bart won the steeplechase in 10 minutes, 25.63 seconds, besting the mark set last year by teammate Madeline Huglen. Huglen and junior Kianna Stewart finished third and fourth, respectively, in Friday's race. Huglen finished in 10:44.74 while Stewart clocked a career-best time of 10:48.75.
 
USD alumna Emily Grove shattered her previous record in the women's pole vault. Her winning height of 14-feet-11-inches broke her 2017 mark by nearly 10 inches. Grove currently boasts the sixth-best mark in the world at 15-1.5.
 

??New Meet Record at the @DakotaRelays??

Former @SDCoyotesXCTF Emily Grove vaults 14'11.25" unattached to capture the ?? #HowardWood record!#MidcoSN | #DakotaRelays pic.twitter.com/xpE7lTDIgz

— Midco Sports Network (@MidcoSN) May 4, 2019

The Coyotes swept the top four spots in the event. Junior Helen Falda placed second with a height of 14-5.25, a career best that ranks seventh nationally. Freshman Deidra Marrison turned in a season-best clearance of 13-9.25 for third place. Sophomore Landon Kemp placed fourth at 13-3.5.
 
Juniors Chris Nilsen and Ethan Bray finished 1-2 in the men's pole vault. Nilsen's winning mark was 18-10.5, and he took three tries at 19-4.25. Bray cleared 17-9.75. Freshman Sean McClellan tied for fifth with teammate Kaleb Ellis with a season-best mark of 16-4.
 
Other men's winners include senior Ben Hammer in the discus (176-0), junior Zack Anderson in the high jump (6-10.75), and senior Brennan Schmidt in the 400-meter dash (48.25s). Schmidt ran his fastest time this season. The Coyotes swept the top three spots in the discus and the top four spots in the high jump.
 

Your winner of the U/C mens DISCUS THROW is Ben Hammer from @SDCoyotesXCTF His winning toss was 176-00! pic.twitter.com/RPEAvVDeUr

— Dakota Relays (@DakotaRelays) May 3, 2019

Senior Karina Dufoe won the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.79s. Sophomore Holly Gerberding took bronze in the event with a career-best time of 25.13s. Sophomore Macy Heinz crossed the line in 2:10.32 to win the 800-meter run.
 
Silver medalists included senior Lara Boman in the hammer (197-9), freshman Liberty Justus in the triple jump (season-high 36-5.75), and junior Hannah Draayer in the 400 (career-high 57.63s). Placing second for the men were junior Kino Dunkley in the discus (174-7), freshman Jack Durst in the high jump (6-10.75) and junior Abdinasir Abdi in the steeplechase (9:39.74).
 
A weather delay paused things momentarily in the afternoon. Seven Howard Wood Relays records were broken in all when you combine collegiate and high school marks. Competition resumes Saturday at 9 a.m.