SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota junior Abby Ripperda and sophomore Merga Gemeda have been named the Summit League Women's and Men's Cross Country Athletes of the Week for the period ended Sept. 22.
 
Ripperda receives the honor for the second time of the season and of her career. She finished runner-up at Saturday's 30th annual Woody Greeno Invitational in Lincoln, Nebraska, to pace the Coyotes. Ripperda completed the 5,000-meter course in 17:16.6. The time is her second-fastest on the grass circuit followed by her 16:47 clocking at the Augustana Twilight. Ripperda now owns both the fastest and third-fastest 5,000-meter times in the Summit League this fall.
 
Gemeda garners his first career athlete of the week honor. Gemeda placed 21st at the Woody Greeno Invitational with a time of 25:30.6. He clocked the fastest time by a Coyote on the Mahoney Golf Course in the two years the meet has been held there. Gemeda also owns the fourth-fastest 8,000-meter time in the Summit League this fall.
 
South Dakota cross country next toes the line at the Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Oct. 5.