NEW ORLEANS—The preseason USTFCCCA Regional Rankings are out and the South Dakota women's cross country team has been picked 12th in the Midwest Region. The Coyotes were the only Summit League team to be ranked on the women's side.
 
South Dakota has won five-straight Summit League Championships in women's cross country and posted back-to-back top-10 finishes at the NCAA Midwest Regional. The Coyotes finished sixth at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Peoria, Illinois, last fall.
 
The Coyotes return a pair of all-Summit League runners in junior Jonna Bart and senior Kianna Stewart. Junior Kelsi Kearney was also a regular in the Coyotes' scoring five a year ago. Last week, the Summit League announced junior Abby Ripperda as a "Runner to Watch" after a breakout spring campaign.
 
South Dakota opens the season Friday evening at the NDSU Bison Open on Rose Creek Golf Course in Fargo, North Dakota.