NEW ORLEANS—South Dakota's men's and women's track and field teams were recognized as All-Academic teams and 12 Coyotes earned All-Academic individual honors as announced Thursday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Coyote women boast a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.65, the highest reported team GPA since the transition to Division I in 2011. The women's GPA ranks 24th nationally. South Dakota's men carry a 3.23 cumulative team GPA.
Both teams have earned USTFCCCA All-Academic recognition every year since 2011. To be recognized as a USTFCCCA All-Academic team, a program must carry a combined cumulative grade-point average above 3.00.
Twelve Coyotes also earned USTFCCCA All-Academic individual honors, a prestigious award requiring a student-athlete to carry a cumulative GPA above 3.25 and meet stringent athletic standards. Due to the cancellation of the outdoor season, only indoor accomplishments were recognized and student-athletes must have ranked nationally in the top-96 of an individual event during the indoor season.
Name Qualifying Event(s) Major
Zack Anderson high jump Physical Education
Ethan Bray pole vault Criminal Justice
Kaleb Ellis pole vault Kinesiology and Sport Management
Helen Falda pole vault Spanish
Holly Gerberding pentathlon Medical Biology
Callie Henrich weight throw, shot put Biology
Gen Hirata pole vault Chemistry, Criminal Justice
Landon Kemp pole vault Sport Marketing and Media
Deidra Marrison pole vault Kinesiology and Sport Management
Abby Ripperda 5,000 meters Medical Biology
Brithton Senior 60-meter hurdles Kinesiology and Sport Management
Emilee Shostrom weight throw Masters of Business Administration
