November 9, 2022

SIOUX FALLS – The University of Sioux Falls Track & Field and Cross Country program, and head coach Doug Petersen, are excited to announce the addition of eight athletes on National Signing Day.

"We are excited with our current commits for the Cross Country / Track & Field team. They are top quality athletes that will be impactful and future team leaders. They are very dedicated in their event groups and it will be fun to see the progress they make here at USF."

-Coach Petersen on the 2023 signing class

The members of the 2023 class include: Mackenzie Everson, Tierney Faulk, Danielle Minsaas, Kamryn Wadsworth, Chase Henderson, Carson Pieper, Josiah Schroeder, and Ethan Schwankl.

Mackenzie Everson, Sprinter, Castlewood, SD / Castlewood High School

Mackenzie joins the Cougars from Castlewood, South Dakota. For the Warriors she participated in volleyball, basketball, track, and golf. In 2022, she was the DVC MVP in Track and was named to the First Team DVC All-Conference for both volleyball and basketball. Everson is also a three-time Castlewood High School record holder in Track for the 200m, 400m, and 4x100m. Everson holds a personal record of; 12.74 in the 100m, 26.84 in the 200m, and 59.89 in the 400m. Mackenzie is the daughter of Sandra and Travis, and plans to major in Elementary Education at USF.

Tierney Faulk, Hurtles/Horizontal Jumps, Yankton, SD / Yankton High School

Tierney comes to USF from Yankton, South Dakota where she attended Yankton High School. For the Gazelles she competed in volleyball, gymnastics, and track and field. Faulk holds a 100m hurdle personal record of 16.03; 300m hurdle of 46.7; long jump 17'3.75'; and triple jump of 36'0". Tierney is the daughter of Marie and Dustin, and she plans to major in Biology.

Danielle Misaas, High Jump, Chili, WI / Marshfield High School 

Danielle comes to USF from Chili, Wisconsin where she attended Marshfield High School. For the Tigers she participated in the high jump for track and field while also playing basketball. Danielle is the daughter of Vivian and Marty, and she plans to double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science this fall.

Kamryn Wadsworth, Shot Put/Discus, Hayti, SD / Hamlin High School

Kamryn joins the Cougars from Hayti, South Dakota where she attended Hamlin High School. For the Chargers, she participated in basketball, volleyball, cheer, and track and field. Wadsworth was a three time discus state place winner, and a two time shot put state place winner. Her junior year, Wadsworth hit a personal record of 42'5 in shot put and 141'11 in the discus. Kamryn is the daughter of Michelle and Travis, and she plans to study Elementary Education at USF.

Chase Henderson, Distance, Sioux Falls, SD / Lincoln High School

A local star, Chase is joining the Cougars and staying home here in Sioux Falls. He attended Lincoln High School where he ran both cross country and track. Henderson received the Bell-Ringer Award as a freshman and the Katie Patrick Award as a senior. At the 2022 AA State Track & Field Meet, Henderson took 8th individually. Chase is the son of Laura and Tom, and he plans to follow a Pre-Med track with hopes to one day becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

Carson Pieper, Distance, Byron, MN / Byron High School

Carson joins the Cougars from Byron, Minnesota where he attended Byron High School and competed in cross country and track. Pieper was awarded cross country HVL All-Conference Honors in 2020, 2021, and 2022. His 5k personal best is 17:17, and he was a top-10 finisher at the 2021 MSHSL Section 1AA XC meet. Pieper was also a two year varsity cross country captain. He received HVL All-Conference honors for track in 2021 and 2022. His 400m personal record is 57 seconds; 800m is 2:02; 1600m is 4:44; 3200m is 11:05. Carson is the son of Kelly and Steve, and is undecided in his course of study at USF.

Josiah Schroeder, Distance, Marion, SD / Canistota High School 

Josiah comes to USF from Marion, South Dakota. He attended Canistota High School and was a three sport athlete. For the Hawks, he competed in cross country, track, and basketball. For cross country, he won the Corn Belt Conference Title four times, the Region Title three times, and the State Title once. He was also named to the Academic All-State Team once. On the track, Schroeder won the mile Conference Title three times, the two mile title three times. He placed 4th in the state mile race. Regionally, Schroeder won the one and two mile titles twice throughout his track & field career. Josiah is the son of Susie and Brad, and plans to major in Media Studies and English in the fall.

Ethan Schwankl, Distance, Cottonwood, MN / Lakeview High School 

Ethan joins the Cougars from Cottonwood, Minnesota where he attended Lakeview High School. As a four sport standout, Schwankl competed in cross country, basketball, track and golf. During his time as a Laker, he picked up many accolades. Schwankl was a cross country captain for four years. For three years straight, he was named to the All-Conference team, selected as the Most Valuable Teammate and the Most Valuable Runner. For track, Schwankl was the 2021 Rookie of the Year and in 2022 was voted the Distance MVP as well as named to the All-State Academic Team and led his team to Conference Champions. At the 2022 MN State Meet, he placed 8th in Class A in the 800m and 13th in the 1600m. He boasts PR's of; 1:58.4 in the 800m, 4:34.2 in the 1600m, 10:23 in the 3200m, and a 16:43 5K time. Ethan is the son of Jen and Eric, and plans to major in business at USF.