The Meet

South Dakota men's and women's track and field open the indoor track and field season this weekend at the SDSU Holiday Open inside the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings, S.D. The two-day meet begins at 12:15 p.m. Friday afternoon.
 

The Coyotes

South Dakota was picked second in both the men's and women's Summit League Indoor Track and Field Preseason Poll. The Coyotes have five individuals and one relay returning as Summit League Champions, headlined by second-year freshman Sara Reifenrath. The Summit's Newcomer of the Championship swept the gold in the 400 meters, 200 meters and 4x400-meter relay. Fifth-year senior Holly Gerberding and third-year sophomore Madison Jochum joined her on the relay. Gerberding has also won back-to-back pentathlon titles indoors. Third-year sophomore Gen Hirata captured the Summit pole vault title and was a second-team All-American. On the men's side, third-year sophomore Brithton Senior won his second-straight Summit crown in the 60-meter hurdles and garnered second-team All-America accolades. Fourth-year junior Jack Durst was the Summit's high jump champion last indoor season. In addition, the freshman quartet of Jayden Green, Ken-Mark Minkovski, Marleen Mülla and Anna Robinson were all named Summit athletes to watch.
 

The Competition

South Dakota State serves as the host to 17 teams and more than 500 athletes.
 

The History

This marks the fifth-straight year of South Dakota opening up the indoor season in Brookings. Last year it was a dual with the Jackrabbits, but the previous three were the SDSU Holiday Open.
 

One Last Thing

This weekend is the Coyotes' only indoor track and field meet this calendar year. USD resumes action at the Black & Gold Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa, held Jan. 14-15.