BROOKINGS, S.D. – The South Dakota Track and Field program is ready to get the 2024-25 season started Friday and Saturday in Brookings as the Coyotes will compete at the SDSU Holiday Invite. A majority of the action will be Friday, with Coyote pentathletes competing Saturday.
 
The Coyotes are competing in Brookings in the first of four indoor meets on the campus of South Dakota State this season. Action starts on the track at 2:40 p.m. with field events starting at 3 p.m. in the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex (SJAC) Friday. The Women's pentathlon starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.
 
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
The SDSU Holiday Indoor will have three separate video feeds available to view all of the action on the Summit League Network powered by Midco Sports Plus. There are individual feeds for throws, jumps, and action on the track. The action starts at noon on Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday.
 
GETTING STARTED
• The Coyotes compete in their first competition of the 2024-25 indoor season this weekend.
• The Coyotes have started the season in Brookings at the SDSU Holiday meet each season since 2018-19 except for the 2020-21 season.
• The Coyotes still started the year in Brookings in 2020-21, competing in South Dakota State Dual Meet.
• After competition this weekend, the Coyotes don't return to action until their home competition on January 18.
 
HOW THEY FARED
• The Coyote women recorded nine event victories (including three unattached event wins) at last season's SDSU Holiday Open.
• Erin Kinney (60-meters), Sara Reifenrath (600-meters), Danii Anglin (high jump), Cassidy Mooneyhan (pole vault), and Marleen Mülla (pole vault) won titles and will compete again this weekend.
• Lydia Knapp (discus, weight throw) won two events last season competing unattached and will compete for the Yotes Friday.
• Calli Davis, a transfer from Mount Marty, won the 400-meters as a member of the Lancers last December.
• The USD 4x400 team returns two of the four runners (Kinney, Reifenrath) from last year's winning squad
• On the men's side, USD won 3 events at last year's SDSU Holiday Open.
• All three USD event winners do not return, leaving opportunities for other Coyotes to step up.
• Joe Lynch (high jump), Spencer Buley (pole vault), Bennett Schwenn (long jump), Carsen Staehr (triple jump), and Brandon Vander Sluis (shot put) all placed runner-up in events at the SDSU Holiday Open last December, and they all return for the Coyotes this season.
 
YOTE NEWCOMERS
• Both USD preseason athletes to watch, Jaden Damiano and Anna Willis, are freshman who get their first chances to compete in a Coyote uniform.
• Damiano, one of nine freshman men competing, will compete in the 60-meters, 60-meter hurdles, and the 4x400 relay.
• Willis joins the illustrious USD pole vault crew and gets her first crack at collegiate competition Friday afternoon.
• Eight freshman women get their first chance to compete for the Coyotes this weekend.