By: Madie Brink
December 2, 2022
BURNSVILLE – The NSIC released their men's and women's Indoor Track & Field Preseason Poll yesterday followed by this seasons 'Athletes to Watch' list. The USF men's team picked up a 9th place projection as the women's team came in 6th.
"Our motivation this season is going to be to finish higher in the NSIC team standings than the preseason polls. My staff and I think we have the athletes and the talent to place higher come the end of the indoor season."
-Director of Track & Field, Doug Petersen
The Cougars had four athletes named to this seasons watch lists with Ben Mandel and Tyler Hiatt earning the honors on the men's side and Khot Juac and Emily Swanson for the women.
Last Season
Ben Mandel returns to the Coo as the second fastest 60m hurdler for USF. Last season Mandel tagged 13 top-10 finishes along with a personal best of 8.26 in the 60m hurdles.
Tyler Hiatt qualified for the NCAA National Championships as a freshman in the shot put and currently holds the school record in both indoor and outdoor settings. Hiatt picked up 14 top-10 finishes last season and five 1st place finishes.
Khot Juac was a member of the school record setting DMR that placed at the NSIC Indoor Championships and also had an NCAA provisional time. Juac set personal bests in the 1000m, 3000m and the mile last season while picking up seven top-10 finishes.
Emily Swanson is a returning NSIC place winner in the pentathlon and the high jump. Last season she hit an NCAA provisional mark in both events and set the school record in the high jump as a sophomore. Swanson picked up 33 top-10 finishes last season with personal bests in the shot put, pentathlon and high jump.
"We're looking forward to the indoor season getting started at SDSU this weekend. Both of our squads have had a good fall of training and we always like to see where everyone is at. We have a nice blend of returning athletes and freshman that will allow for more depth in our events."
-Petersen on the upcoming indoor season
Sioux Falls will open their season today and tomorrow at the SDSU Holiday Invitational & Multi in Brookings, SD with events starting at 12:00 p.m.
