The Meet

The University of South Dakota track and field program will send three alumni and an assistant coach to the U.S. Olympic Trials held June 21-30 in Eugene, Oregon. NBC holds the broadcasting rights to the Trials, with each days' competition televised nationwide on NBC or the USA Network and with the full field event competitions streamed on Peacock.
 

The Coyotes

Sporting South Dakota's red and white will be Coyote senior Jacy Pulse in the women's 400-meter hurdles. She posted a qualifying time of 56.17 seconds earlier this spring in winning the Mt. SAC Relays. A two-time All-American in the event, Pulse graduated in May with a degree in nursing.
 
Alumnus Chris Nilsen '20 earned a silver medal in the men's pole vault at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He's a four-time world medalist, five-time U.S. Champion and was a three-time NCAA Champion while competing for the Coyotes. He currently ranks third in the world in the men's pole vault. Nilsen is the defending champion in the event, having won the last three U.S. outdoor titles in the men's pole vault. He owns a personal best height of 19-10 ¼ (6.05m).
 
Alumna Emily Grove '15 '17 ranks 18th in the world in the women's pole vault. She won Pre's Classic at Hayward Field last month with a season's best height of 15-2 ¼ (4.63m). Grove was the NCAA runner-up in the pole vault in 2014 and was ranked No. 1 in the NCAA throughout her senior season. She owns a personal best of 15-7 (4.75m).
 
South Dakota throws assistant coach Maggie Ewen rounds out the group from Vermillion. Ewen currently ranks fourth in the world in the women's shot put. She's a three-time U.S. Champion in the shot put and the defending champion in the field. Ewen has placed in the top-eight at four World Championships. She holds a personal best of 67-1 ¼ (20.45m).
 

The Schedule

All times listed as Central.
 
Friday, June 21
7:50 p.m. Men's Pole Vault qualifying – Chris Nilsen (NBC or Peacock)
 
Sunday, June 23
7:45 p.m. Men's Pole Vault final – Chris Nilsen* (NBC or Peacock)
 
Thursday, June 27
8:49 p.m. Women's 400m Hurdles round one – Jacy Pulse (NBC)
 
Friday, June 28
7:55 p.m. Women's Pole Vault qualifying – Emily Grove (USA Network or Peacock)
9:15 p.m. Women's Shot Put qualifying – Maggie Ewen (NBC or Peacock)
 
Saturday, June 29
7:41 p.m. Women's 400m Hurdles semifinal – Jacy Pulse* (NBC)
7:50 p.m. Women's Shot Put final – Maggie Ewen* (NBC or Peacock)
 
Sunday, June 30
5:15 p.m. Women's Pole Vault final – Emily Grove* (NBC or Peacock)
7:29 p.m. Women's 400m Hurdles final – Jacy Pulse* (NBC)
 
*Must advance from qualifying round
 

Up Next

The U.S. Olympic Trials are a stepping stone to the sports' most-watched event: The Olympic Games. Athletes are competing this weekend to place in the top-three and earn their place on Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics set for Aug. 1-11 in France.