VERMILLION, S.D. – Two fresh faces in the South Dakota Track & Field program, one freshman and one graduate transfer, have made their impact on the Coyotes and the Summit League. Freshman Anna Willis and grad transfer Caleb Rivera swept the Kwik Star Summit League Peak Newcomer of the Month awards for the month of April, announced Thursday afternoon by the conference office.
 
Willis, a freshman from Colorado Springs, Colo., competed twice during the month of April, but made the best of both competitions. At the Mt. SAC Relays, Willis came away with an event victory, clearing 14-9 (4.50m), a personal best at the third best highest in USD outdoor history. That clearance ranks second in the Summit League and eighth in the NCAA. Willis has the top clearance of any freshman at the Division I level.
 
In her second competition of the month, Willis made her Drake Relays debut and was the top collegiate finisher at 14-0 ¾, placing runner-up overall.
 
Rivera, a grad transfer from St. James, Minn., brought home a white flag from the Drake Relays and set a school record during the month of April. Rivera competed at four meets during April, including a personal best in the 1,500-meters of 3:43.65, the second-best time in school history and the second best time in the Summit League this spring, at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
 
Rivera helped set the school record in the distance medley relay at the Drake Relays with a time of 9:37.21 and won the Drake Relays title in the 1,500-meters with a time of 3:45.62.