WALNUT, Calif.—South Dakota fourth-year junior Merga Gemeda blew past a 22-year-old school record in the 10,000 meters Thursday night at the distance carnival of the 62nd annual Mt. SAC Relays held at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
 
Gemeda completed the 25 laps in 29:18.51 to finish ninth overall in the competitive field. He was the top Summit League finisher on the night. The time was a 41-second personal best for Gemeda.
 
The previous record was set in 2000 by Coyote Hall of Famer Matt Hoyt with a clocking of 29:24.60. At the 2000 NCAA Division II Championships, Hoyt placed in the top-five of three of the most grueling distance events in track and field (second, 10,000m; third, 5,000m; fourth, 3,000m steeplechase). The performance earned him the 2000 Division II Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Hoyt held school records in all three events until 2014 when alumnus Jeff Mettler broke his steeple record. Gemeda has now topped the 10,000-meter record with only his 5,000-meter school record standing.
 
Third-year sophomore Helen Gould clocked 10:45.95 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at Mt. SAC, a second shy of her personal best from a year ago.
 
South Dakota resumes action Friday at both the Mt. SAC Relays and the Beach Invitational.