By: Madie Brink
March 17, 2023
BURNSVILLE – The NSIC released their men's and women's Outdoor Track & Field Preseason Poll today along with their Athletes to Watch list. The USF women's team sits fourth in this season's poll while the men sit 9th.
During the indoor season, the women's team took fourth place at the NSIC Indoor Championships. USF saw one athlete qualify for the NCAA National Championships of which Emily Swanson finished 12th as well as with Second Team All-American honors.
"Our women's team had a very good indoor season and we look to continue the momentum into the outdoor season. We have place scorers in many events and that will help bring more balance to our team. We are a young team that is working hard and is getting better each day."
-Head Coach Doug Petersen
Khot Juac was named this season's track Athlete to Watch after setting three career bests throughout the indoor season. Juac also helped lead the Sioux Falls Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team to not one, but two school records. She personally broke the 3,000m school record and currently sits in second for the USF women's mile.
"Khot had her best season of running at USF. She recorded NCAA Provisional Qualifying Marks in the Mile and the 3,000m. Khot was part of the school record setting DMR that also posted an NCAA Provisional Qualifying Mark. She placed in all three of those events at the NSIC Meet, earning All-Conference Honors in the DMR and the 3,000m."
-Head Coach Doug Petersen
Natalie Meyers was also named this years Athlete to Watch in the field category for the women. Meyers finished her indoor season with a career best in the long jump with a jump of 5.71 meters, which was an NCAA Provisional Mark.
"Natalie is coming off an excellent indoor season. Natalie placed in the NSIC Indoor Championships in the Long Jump and is No. 3 on the USF Honor Roll in her Long Jump event."
-Head Coach Doug Petersen
With their 9th place finish at the NSIC Indoor Championship meet in February, the Cougars are looking to climb the ranks throughout the outdoor season.
"We had a successful indoor season with our team. The team scores were very bunched up from sixth to ninth place. Our men work very hard and are highly motivated to get to the next level. We are more of an outdoor team so we are looking forward to adding some points in other event areas to raise our team scores."
-Head Coach Doug Petersen
David Ecker picked up another honor as this seasons track Athlete to Watch. Ecker finished the indoor season with a 4th place finish in the 3,000 and 5,000 meter at the 2023 NSIC Indoor Championships.
"Dave had a very good indoor season. His indoor personal bests have him No. 4 in the 5,000m, No. 6 in the 3,000m, and No. 8 in the Mile at USF. He is also the school record holder in the 3,000m Steeple Chase and had an NCAA Provisional Qualifying time last year."
-Head Coach Doug Petersen
Tyler Hiatt also picked up preseason honors as this seasons field Athlete to Watch. Hiatt set a USF school record while finishing third in the weight throw at the 2023 NSIC Indoor Championships with a throw of 18.52 meters.
"Last year Tyler was a National Qualifier in the discus and the shot put. He also placed in those events at the NSIC Outdoor Championships last season. This indoor season he placed in both the Shot Put and Weight Throw, earning All-Conference Honors in the WT. Tyler also holds the Indoor school records in the Shot Put and Weight Throw at USF."
-Head Coach Doug Petersen
Women's Rankings
1. Minnesota State (14) 196
2. Augustana 181
3. Winona State (1) 160
4. Sioux Falls 147
5. University of Mary 144
6. Minnesota Duluth 127
7. Wayne State 110
8. Concordia-St. Paul 108
9. Northern State 107
10. St. Cloud State 73
11. MSU Moorhead 68
12. Bemidji State 64
13. Minot State 38
Southwest Minn. State 38
15. Upper Iowa 14
Men's Rankings
1. Minnesota State (10) 120
2. Augustana (2) 112
3. MSU Moorhead 91
4. University of Mary 88
5. Wayne State 76
6. Minnesota Duluth 70
7. Concordia-St. Paul 66
8. Northern State 53
9. Sioux Falls 48
10. Minot State 34
11. Soutwest Minn. State 22
12. Upper Iowa 12
Sioux Falls looks to open their outdoor season next weekend at the Wildcat Outdoor Classic in Wayne, Nebraska pending the weather.
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