SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Both South Dakota indoor track and field programs were tabbed second in the Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll, announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon.
 
The South Dakota men, coming into the year off back-to-back indoor conference championships, were picked behind North Dakota State. The Bison received five of the seven first place votes, with both USD and South Dakota State receiving one first place vote each.
 
The Coyote women were picked second following a runner-up finish in 2024. The Bison received all but one first place vote on the women's side with USD receiving the other one. The Jackrabbits were picked third on the women's side as well.
 
The South Dakota men return a handful of conference standouts from last season.  Indoor long jump champion Bennett Schwenn returns for the Coyotes.
 
A quartet of conference runners-up return as well. Joe Lynch, the high jump runner-up in a jump-off from last indoor season is back for his senior season. Carsen Staehr (triple jump), Eerik Haamer (pole vault) and Derek Eidsness (heptathlon) return as the conference runners-up.
 
In total, The Coyotes also return three of the five top pole vaulters from 2024. Haamer is joined by Spencer Buley (fourth), and Tre Young (fifth) as the Coyotes look to continue their streak of eight straight Summit League pole vault champions.
 
A strong class of incoming athletes is highlighted by the Coyotes' athlete to watch, Jaden Damiano. Damiano, a freshman from Iowa Falls, Iowa, is a six-time Iowa state champion.
 
The preseason runner-up Coyote women return a handful of Summit League standouts for this season. Erin Kinney, last season's 60-meter champion, who also was a member of the champion 4x400 relay team and runner-up in the 200, returns this season.
 
Sara Reifenrath (400) and Daniella Anglin (high jump) are Summit League runner-up finishers a season ago who return for South Dakota. Reifenrath and Averi Schmeichel return with Kinney from the 4x400 championship squad. Madison Brouwer is the lone returner from the distance medley championship.
 
The Coyotes took the top seven places in the pole vault at last season's indoor championships and return five of the seven athletes for this season. Marleen Mulla tied for second at last season's indoor championship and is the top competitor returning for the indoor season. Alayna Falak, Cassidy Mooneyhan, Eliza Aitken, and Kailee Swart join Mulla as returners for USD.
 
The pole vault group also got stronger with preseason athlete to watch Anna Willis. Willis is a freshman from Colorado Springs who holds a personal best 13-10 and is a co-record holder in Colorado Class 3A.
 
The Coyotes are in action for the first time Friday at the SDSU Holiday Invite.
 
Summit League Men's Preseason Poll

Place	School	Points (1st)
1	North Dakota State	35 (5)
2	South Dakota	30 (1)
3	South Dakota State	28 (1)
4	St. Thomas	20
5	North Dakota	17
6	Kansas City	11
7	Oral Roberts	6

Summit League Women's Preseason Poll

Place	School	Points (1st)
1	North Dakota State	49 (7)
2	South Dakota	39 (1)
3	South Dakota State	37
4	North Dakota	34
5	St. Thomas	24
6	Kansas City	18
7	Omaha	12
8	Oral Roberts	11