NEW YORK, N.Y. ­— Two Coyote alums and soon to be Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame inductees placed inside the top two at the United States Track and Field Championships in New York, New York this weekend.
 
Chris Nilsen won his seventh United States Championship in the men's pole vault Sunday afternoon and his fourth outdoor National Title. He cleared 19-1 (5.82-meters) on his first attempt while national runner-up Sam Kendricks cleared in on his second attempt. Both vaulters were unable to clear 19-5, making Nilsen the National Champion for a seventh time.
 
Emily Grove matched her season's best by clearing 15-5 (4.70m) to place runner-up Saturday. She earned runner-up finishes in both the Indoor and Outdoor U.S. Championships this season.
 
Also competing in the women's pole vault Saturday was three-time all-American and USD sophomore Anna Willis. She tied for sixth Saturday by clearing 14-3 ¼ (4.35m). She was the youngest competitor in the field and was competing at her first United States Championship meet.
 
A fellow Coyote alum competed on the track Friday afternoon. Sara Reifenrath, a 23-time Summit League Champion for the Coyotes, competed in the 400-meters, placing 13^th in a time of 52.67. Reifenrath competed in her second U.S. Championships this weekend.
 
A volunteer assistant coach for USD, Maggie Ewen placed seventh in the women's shot put Saturday afternoon, throwing 59-8 ½ (18.20m).



 
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