VERMILLION, S.D.—South Dakota senior
Helen Falda captured the pole vault with the nation's fifth-best height this spring to highlight day one action from the South Dakota Challenge at Lillibridge Track Complex and Gottsleben Field.
Falda vaulted a season-best of 14-1 ¾ (4.31m) to move into a tie for fifth in the NCAA. She ties with fellow Coyote
Gen Hirata, who cleared the same height earlier this season at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. Hirata finished runner-up Friday afternoon with a make of 13-9 ¾ (4.21m). Redshirt-sophomore
Deidra Marrison vaulted a season best 13-5 ¾ (4.11m) to sweep the podium and move into the NCAA's top-30. Freshman
Jaidyn Garrett took fourth by clearing 12-10 (3.91m) on her first attempt.
Redshirt-sophomore
Josephine Starner won the javelin with a throw of 146-10 (44.75m).
Friday marked the first day of the multi-event competitions. Senior
Kamberlyn Lamer leads the women's heptathlon through day one with 3,123 points. Redshirt-sophomore
Liberty Justus sits in fourth with 2,691 points. On the men's side, redshirt-freshman
Will Stupalsky enters day two in fifth with 3,331 points.
The lone track event of the evening was the men's and women's 200 meters.
Freshman
Sara Reifenrath finished runner-up in 24.45 seconds. Her clocking of 24.09 seconds last weekend leads the Summit League this spring.
A trio of Coyotes finished in the top-five on the men's side, led by redshirt-freshman
Dylan Kautz in second with a time of 21.79 seconds. Redshirt-freshman
Ardell Inlay and freshman
Virgil Steward were third and fourth, respectively. All three men are a part of the Coyotes' league-leading 4x100-meter relay.
Redshirt-junior
Leah Dusterhoft launched the discus a personal best of 155-6 (47.40m) on her first throw of the competition. She finished in third place of the field. Redshirt-freshman
Lydia Knapp took fifth with a throw of 152-4 (46.45m). Both athletes cracked the Coyote Top 10 list with the marks.
Redshirt-sophomore
Jessie Sullivan took third in the discus with a throw of 174-11 (53.33m). Senior
Armand Khan sent the javelin 157-9 (48.08m) for fifth place in the field.
South Dakota returns to action Saturday at 10 a.m. with the men's decathlon. Field events will begin at 11 a.m. and running events kick off at noon.
