May 10, 2025
DULUTH, MINN. – Sioux Falls' Emily Swanson was voted by the league coaches as the NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year in women's outdoor track & field. A native of Odell, Nebraska, Swanson is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Innovation & Marketing while holding a 3.83 cumulative grade point average.  

The "NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year Award" is presented to a NSIC student-athlete who participates at their institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to their team and the University. The NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year award was initiated in 2020-21 to honor an outstanding senior that exemplifies the attributes of the model NSIC student-athlete.

Swanson is the school record holder in the 60 hurdles, pentathlon, 100 hurdles, outdoor high jump, and heptathlon. 
She is a five time national qualifier and a three-time All-American in the pentathlon. She is a 13-time NSIC Championships placer and a four-time All-NSIC performer including a first place finish in the pentathlon. 

In the classroom, Swanson was named to the Dean's List for nine consecutive semesters. She is a six-time NSIC All-Academic team member and three-time Academic All-American. She graduated with two undergrad degrees in exercise science & business.

In the community she has volunteered for Trail Ridge Senior Living's yearly fitness assessments and at PlayEverything volunteer, an organization in the Sioux Falls area that serves underprivileged youth through sport and exercise. 

"Emily truly embodies what it means to be a collegiate athlete. Over the past four years, she has committed herself wholeheartedly to her growth and development, both on and off the track. Her dedication and perseverance have been clearly reflected in her remarkable athletic progression. Throughout her career, Emily has made significant improvements, consistently performing at a high level while also maintaining an outstanding GPA. She is a dependable leader and a key contributor at conference meets, scoring in multiple events year after year. Beyond athletics, Emily is a respected and recognizable presence on campus, widely regarded as a leader within the university community," said Head Coach Eric Chilson.
 

For all things USF Track & Field, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!