The Meet

South Dakota track and field is set to compete at the Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday and Saturday at the Fritz D. Pollard Jr. Athletic Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, on Friday and Saturday. The multi events begin at 9:30 a.m. each morning. Friday's field events begin at 3 p.m. and running events begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday's field events begin at 11 a.m. with track events beginning at 1 p.m.
 

The Coyotes

South Dakota's women have finished runner-up at the indoor championship meet for eight-straight years, while the Coyote men have taken third for the last five years. USD's men won three-straight Summit indoor titles from 2013-15. Third-year sophomore Brithton Senior is the two-time Summit League Track Athlete of the Year. He's won the 60-meter hurdles the last two years and owns the league's fastest time again this season. Senior qualified for the NCAA Championships in both 2020 and 2021. Second-year freshman Sara Reifenrath was the Summit's Newcomer of the Championship last season after winning the 200 meters, 400 meters and the 4x400-meter relays. In addition to racing for league individual and team titles, this weekend marks the final chance to qualify for the upcoming NCAA Championships. Second-year freshman Eerik Haamer is one of three Summit athletes currently in qualifying position. He's ranked eighth in the men's pole vault with a height of 18-1 (5.51m). Three more Coyote pole vaulters are just outside the top-16. Third-year sophomore Gen Hirata is tied for 16th in the nation at 14-2 ¾ (4.34m), but does not own the tiebreaker. Freshman Marleen Mülla is tied for 19th at 14-2 ½ (4.33m) and on the men's side third-year sophomore Marshall Faurot is tied for 18th with a height of 17-7 ¼ (5.37m).
 

The League Leaders

A Coyote leads the Summit League in eight of 32 events this indoor season.
 
Men's 60m Hurdles: Brithton Senior, 7.81 seconds
Women's 200m: Sara Reifenrath, 23.77 seconds
Women's 400m: Sara Reifenrath, 54.95 seconds
Women's 4x400m Relay: Moe Bridgen, Jacy Pulse, Sara Reifenrath, Anna Robinson, 3:43.12
Women's High Jump: Danii Anglin, 5-10 ½ (1.79m)
Men's Pole Vault: Eerik Haamer, 18-1 (5.51m)
Women's Pole Vault: Gen Hirata, 14-2 ¾ (4.34m)
Men's Triple Jump: Jacob Jenkins, 48-8 ¼ (14.84m)
 

The Defending Champions

Men's 60m Hurdles: Brithton Senior, 7.99 seconds
Women's 200m: Sara Reifenrath, 23.73 seconds
Women's 400m: Sara Reifenrath, 53.55 seconds
Women's 4x400m Relay: Madison Jochum, Holly Gerberding, Danielle Thompson, Sara Reifenrath, 3:46.46
Men's High Jump: Jack Durst, 6-10 ¼
Women's Pole Vault: Gen Hirata, 14-3 ¼
Women's Pentathlon: Holly Gerberding, 3,744 points
 

One Last Thing

In addition to chasing Summit League team titles, this weekend's meet is also worth two South Dakota Showdown Series points. The higher finisher between the Coyotes and the Jackrabbits in the men's and women's team races will earn the point. South Dakota currently leads the series 8-5.