The Meet
South Dakota men's and women's cross country begins its 2022 season under the lights at the Augustana Twilight held at Yankton Trail Park on Friday night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The women's 5,000-meter race begins at 8:30 p.m. with the men's four-mile race to follow at 9 p.m.
 
The Coyote Women
Nine different women made into USD's scoring five last season with a balanced group. Six of those women return this season, highlighted by returning all-Summit League honorees Abby Ripperda and Abrielle Jirele. Other top returners include Ella Byers, who paced the Coyotes at four of seven meets last season, along with Helen Gould, McKenna Herrmann, and Melanie Pankow. USD's women also added five freshmen to the squad this season. Ripperda was selected as a Summit League Runner to Watch earlier this week. She finished runner-up at the Augustana Twilight a year ago.
 
The Coyote Men
Four returners and four newcomers make up South Dakota's eight-man roster. Fifth-year senior Merga Gemeda, a two-time all-Summit pick, paced the Coyotes at the first five meets of the season prior to a season-ending injury last fall. Gemeda was named a Summit League Runner to Watch earlier this week. He was runner-up at the Augustana Twilight last season. Charlie Babcock was USD's No. 2 runner at the first six meets last season, earning all-Summit League honors at the championship meet last fall. He went on to lead the way at the NCAA Midwest Regional. The Coyotes' newcomers include two freshmen and two transfers.
 
The History
South Dakota has won five-straight women's team titles at the Augustana Twilight. A Coyote won the individual women's title three times in six years.
 
One Last Thing
In addition to being the season-opener for the Coyotes, Friday night will be the first competition under new Coyote head coach Nolan Fife.