SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota pole vaulter Gen Hirata has been named the TicketSmarter Summit League Female Peak Performer of the Month as announced Monday by the conference office. It is the first such honor for Hirata, who hails from Fredericksburg, Virginia.
 
Hirata captured the bronze at the NCAA Championships in the women's pole vault with a clearance of 14-5 ¼ (4.40m). She earned first-team All-America accolades for the performance. Hirata was also the Summit League pole vault champion. She vaulted past 14 feet in the last four finals of the season.
 
Hirata was named the Summit League Field Athlete of the Year last week.
 
South Dakota took home six of the nine women's monthly awards from the Summit League in 2022-23. Volleyball player Elizabeth Juhnke won three consecutive months from September through November, women's basketball player Grace Larkins won in January and fellow pole vaulter Marleen Mülla earned the nod in February. Swimmer Mack Sathre was the lone male honoree for USD, receiving recognition in November.