ALLENDALE, MICH. -- The University of Sioux Falls Track and Field Team will be sending three student-athletes, Tyler Hiatt, Emma Hertz, and Kamry Lindsey, to compete at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Outdoor Championships on May 26-28 at Grand Valley State Track and Field Stadium in Allendale, Michigan.

On Tuesday afternoon, the NCAA released its declared entries and the Cougars' three athletes qualified in three events total. Hertz, a five-time All-American, will compete in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw, Lindsey will throw the discus, and Hiatt will compete in both the shot put and discus. 

"Iti s a great opportunity for Tyler, Kamry and Emma. It will be fun for them to be able to compete at the DII nationals. We are certainly proud of their performances during this season and it is a great opportunity to be able to compete at nationals," said USF Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Doug Petersen. 

The NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Track and Field Committee has announced the participants for the 2022 NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships. A total of 754 participants, 377 men and 377 women, will compete in the championships. Student-athletes qualified for the championships by reaching a provisional standard established for each event. The complete list of qualifiers is available here. Heat sheets will be available at this same website by Monday, May 23.

The championships will be held May 26-28 in Allendale, Michigan at the Grand Valley State Track & Field Stadium. Grand Valley State University and the West Michigan Sports Commission will serve as co-hosts of the championships. The championships will be streamed live on NCAA.com. 

Hertz to throw shot, discus, and hammer
Hertz is currently the USF record holder in all five throwing events, including the three outdoor events she will compete in next week. In DII, Hertz is ranked in all three events, including a first place ranking in the discus (54.52m, 178'10"), a ninth place ranking in the hammer (58.76m, 192'9"), and a 10th place ranking in the shot put (14.70m, 48'2.75").  She set school records in the discus and hammer this spring at USF.

This spring, Hertz has set school records in the discus, hammer throw, and shot put. Hertz had an All-NSIC honor in the hammer throw at the NSIC Outdoor Championships for her sixth of her career with two NCAA DII provisional marks during the meet, helping lead the USF women's team to a fifth place finish. She was third in the shot put at the NCAA DII Indoor Championships earlier this year.

Lindsey to throw discus after outstanding NSIC Championship performance 
Lindsey, a true freshman for the Cougars, had a personal-best and earned her first All-NSIC honor with a second place throw of 48.27m - 158-04 in the discus at the NSIC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Her throw ranks second on USF's all-time list and was the NCAA DII provisional she needed to make it to nationals. Lindsey is currently ranked 13th in DII in the discus.

Hiatt to compete in shot and discus after stellar season
Hiatt, who transferred to USF after beginning his collegiate career at North Dakota State University, will compete in both the shot put and the discus at the outdoor national meet. He is ranked ninth in the discus at 55.13 meters - 180-10 and 13th in the shot put at 17.95 meters - 58-10.75. Both those marks by Hiatt set school records. At the NSIC Championships, he helped lead USF to eighth place in the men's standings with All-NSIC performances in the shot put and discus.  

The meet spans over three days, with each day holding a different throwing event. Thursday, May 26 features the hammer throw, Friday, May 27 hosts the discus, and Saturday, May 28 will be the shot put.