The Meet
South Dakota hosts the USD Early Bird this weekend at the Lillibridge Track Complex and Gottsleben Field in Vermillion, South Dakota. The two-day meet will be live streamed on The Summit League Network, available via the Midco Sports Plus app.
 
The Coyotes
South Dakota was picked second for both men and women in the Summit League Outdoor Track & Field preseason poll. The Coyote men are coming off their second-straight Summit League indoor crown.
 
The Coyotes opened the outdoor season last weekend in Texas. Fifth-year senior Gen Hirata is the reigning Summit League Peak Performer of the Week after clearing 14-1 ¼ (4.30m) in the university elite women's pole vault competition at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays. The height ranks sixth in the nation. South Dakota has 16 top-100 national rankings following the Coyotes' opening weekend. Senior Jacy Pulse is another athlete inside the top-20, ranking 14th in the 400-meter hurdles with a strong showing of 57.61 seconds at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.
 
The Competition
More than 30 teams will be in action this weekend at the USD Early Bird.
 
Up Next
South Dakota stays home to compete on back-to-back weekends. The South Dakota Challenge is scheduled for next Saturday, April 13, at Lillibridge Track Complex.