SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota track and field was picked third in both the men's and women's Summit League Indoor Preseason Polls, voted on by the conference's head coaches ahead of the 2025-26 season.
 
The Coyote men were picked third individually, placing behind North Dakota State and South Dakota State. The Bison received five of the seven first place votes with the Jackrabbits receiving the other two. USD received 26 points in the poll, ahead of North Dakota (19) and St. Thomas (14).
 
The Coyote women were picked in a tie for third in the preseason coaches poll, receiving the same number of points (36) as South Dakota State. North Dakota State (47 points) and North Dakota (41) were the top two teams in the poll. The Bison received five first place votes, the Fighting Hawks two, and the Jackrabbits one.
 
Athletes to watch for the Yotes include four freshmen. For the Coyote men, sprinter Braxton Smith and pole vaulter Caelan Harland were named athletes to watch. For the Coyote women, jumper Kenya Harris and sprinter Kali Ringstmeyer are athletes to watch.
 
Harland comes to USD with national accolades in the pole vault, placing runner-up in the USATF Under 20 competition over the summer. A four-time state champion from Excello, Missouri, Harland holds a personal best of 17-6, and cleared 17-5 at the U-20 competition over the summer. Smith was a three-time state champion for Waverly (Neb.) High School. He's a two-time 400-meter champion and won the 200 once. Smith holds personal bests of 21.29 in the 200 and 48.84 in the 400.
 
Harris is a school record holder in the triple jump at Sioux Falls Lincoln, and competed in five events for the Patriots. Holds the Howard Wood Dakota Relays record in the triple hump at 39-8 ¼ and has a personal best of 40-1 ¼. Ringstmeyer is a four-time state champion for Pierre. She swept the 100 and 200-meter titles as a senior and holds personal bests of 11.77 in the 100 and 24.49 in the 200.
 
The Coyotes open their season at the SDSU Holiday on Friday in Brookings.
   
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