NEW ORLEANS—South Dakota women's cross country remains ranked No. 15 in the Midwest region by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings.
 
The Coyotes sent a limited squad to the Augustana Twilight to open the season and finished fifth in the team race.
 
Fifth-year senior Abby Ripperda and third-year sophomore Abrielle Jirele led the way with top-five individual finishes at the meet. Ripperda completed the 5,000-meter course in 17:38.62. Other scorers in week one were third-year sophomore Renee Thompson, fourth-year junior Helen Gould and fourth-year redshirt-sophomore Haley Miller.
 
South Dakota returns to action Friday at the Coaching Tree Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana.