The Meet

South Dakota men's and women's cross country races at the Briar Cliff Invitational held Friday, Oct. 1, at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D. The women's 5,000-meter race is scheduled for 3 p.m. followed by the men's 8,000-meter race at 3:40 p.m.
 

The Coyotes

South Dakota races for the third-straight week as the Coyotes travel down I-29 to the Briar Cliff Invitational. Fourth-year junior Merga Gemeda garnered his third Summit League Men's Runner of the Week award on Monday, finishing as the top Summit League athlete at the Roy Griak Invitational. He owns the fastest time in the league this fall – a clocking of 24:23.7 from the Woody Greeno Invitational. Third-year sophomore Ella Byers has been the top finisher on the women's side for two out of the first three meets. The Coyotes are one month out from the 2021 Summit League Cross Country Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
 

The Competition

In-state rival South Dakota State is scheduled to send a contingent of athletes, while the Coyotes will also see a number of other regional teams across divisions at the meet.
 

The History

This is the first time South Dakota will race at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve.
 

One Last Thing

A pair of Coyote cross country athletes call Sioux City, Iowa, home. Merga Gemeda, who has led the Coyote men in all three races to date this season, is a product of Sioux City North. Karlee Phillips graduated from Sioux City East.