By: Clint Neumann
YANKTON, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls men's and women's track & field teams turned in a productive day of competition on Saturday at the Mount Marty Opener inside the Ruth Donohoe Fieldhouse, stacking podium finishes, season bests, personal records, and nationally ranked marks as the indoor season continued to take shape.
The Cougars were led by standout performances across all disciplines, including event wins in the field, multiple runner-up finishes on the track, and several marks that landed inside the NCAA Division II national rankings. The meet showcased USF's depth and balance early in the season, with strong contributions from both veteran leaders and first-year competitors.
On the women's side, the middle-distance and field events paced the effort. Junior Emma Thomas finished second in the 800 meters with a time of 2:22.20, earning a new Division II ranking of No. 49. Sophomore Chloe Aanenson followed closely behind in sixth at 2:25.75, a personal best that also cracked the DII rankings. In the field, Peyton Hanson continued her strong indoor start by winning the pole vault at 3.70 meters, hitting the NAIA automatic standard while also posting a Division II No. 22 ranking and a personal best.
USF's women also found success in the throwing events, as Tobi Peterson placed second in the shot put with a mark of 13.02 meters, earning a new DII No. 41 ranking. Delanie VanDriel added a pair of podium finishes, taking third in the shot put and second in the weight throw with a personal-best 16.01 meters, good for a DII No. 51 ranking.
The men's team was highlighted by dominant efforts in the throws and strong depth in the jumps. Junior Andrew Edwards delivered one of the top performances of the meet, winning the weight throw with a massive 19.10 meters to secure the NAIA automatic qualifying mark. Edwards also placed second in the shot put, while freshman Herbert Pimentel and Jackson Gacke both recorded personal bests in the event.
In the jumps, Jonny Cheney finished second in the high jump with a clearance of 2.00 meters and added a runner-up finish in the long jump. Zarek Khan claimed the men's pole vault title with a season-best mark of 4.20 meters, while Luther Nesheim and Davieian Williams contributed solid finishes in the triple jump.
On the track, freshman Micah Holien continued to impress, placing fourth in the 60 meters and adding a third-place finish in the 200 meters. The men's distance group also delivered strong results, with Ethan Schwankl finishing second in the 1000 meters and Gage Grohs placing third in the 800 meters.
Both programs capped the day with competitive relay performances, as the women's 4x400 relay placed third with a Division II ranked time, while the men posted third- and fourth-place finishes with their 'A' and 'B' squads.
Individual Results (Finals Only)
Men
60m
4. Micah Holien – 7.06
60m Hurdles
2. Collin Dingsor – 8.50
7. Chase Lindeman – 9.41
200m
3. Micah Holien – 22.89
4. Sabas DeHaan – 22.96
12. Carter Friske – 24.08
600m
4. Hayden Karli – 1:29.45
5. Mikele Walu – 1:31.27
6. Jaylen Palmer – 1:31.61
7. Jackson Drew – 1:33.55
800m
3. Gage Grohs – 2:04.70
6. Chase Henderson – 2:08.76
8. Guta Buta – 2:17.96
1000m
2. Ethan Schwankl – 2:42.74
3. Parker Hahn – 2:51.37
1 Mile
5. Hunter Hart – 4:49.68
7. Jace Cofer – 4:57.83
3000m
8. Dylan Saur – 9:39.32
10. Josiah Schroeder – 9:49.93
11. Ethan West – 10:03.06
High Jump
2. Jonny Cheney – 2.00m
3. Luther Nesheim – 1.90m
Long Jump
2. Jonny Cheney – 6.30m
3. Paul Rhodes – 6.22m
Pole Vault
1.
Zarek Khan – 4.20m
5.
Chase Lindeman – 3.75m
6.
Jonny Cheney – 3.75m
8.
Ean Minnaert – 3.45m
Shot Put
2. Andrew Edwards – 15.18m
4. Herbert Pimentel – 13.63m
6. Jackson Gacke – 13.12m
Triple Jump
3. Charles Brands – 12.06m
5. Luther Nesheim – 11.62m
6. Davieian Williams – 11.45m
Weight Throw
1.
Andrew Edwards – 19.10m
7.
Landen Schmidt – 12.78m
8.
Herbert Pimentel – 12.09m
4x400 Relay
3. USF 'A' – 3:43.23
4. USF 'B' – 3:50.73
Women
60m
6. Gabriella Duval – 8.12
7. Paige Haack – 8.19
60m Hurdles
1.
Piper Hanson – 9.08
2.
Tierney Faulk – 9.32
3.
Kendall Anderson – 9.43
8.
Augusta Papik – 10.56
200m
4. Tierney Faulk – 27.06
6. Paige Haack – 27.58
8. Gabriella Duval – 27.67
17. Makenzie Weber – 29.29
19. Augusta Papik – 29.47
800m
2. Emma Thomas – 2:22.20
6. Chloe Aanenson – 2:25.75
9. Faith Traphagen – 2:29.00
11. Lillian McCone – 2:31.23
12. Brooklyn Koll – 2:31.78
1 Mile
5. Mallory Salazar – 5:35.96
3000m
5. Anjalie Aho – 11:34.29
6. Olivia Babler – 12:06.15
High Jump
2. Erika Imdieke – 1.56m
3. Kendra Hall – 1.56m
4. Hailee Stich – 1.56m
5. Cadence Nuttbrock – 1.56m
6. Piper Hanson – 1.51m
Long Jump
3. Tierney Faulk – 5.09m
4. Kendra King – 5.06m
5. Gabriella Duval – 5.05m
6. Cadence Nuttbrock – 5.05m
Pole Vault
-
Peyton Hanson – 3.70m
-
Janna Roberts – 2.85m
-
Alivia Dawson – 2.55m
Shot Put
2. Tobi Peterson – 13.02m
3. Delanie VanDriel – 12.14m
Triple Jump
2. Kendra King – 11.17m
3. Kendra Hall – 11.09m
4. Lyndi Koosman – 11.00m
Weight Throw
2. Delanie VanDriel – 16.01m
3. Tobi Peterson – 15.44m
14. Raygen Diede – 11.69m
4x400 Relay
3. USF 'A' – 4:24.85
Next Up
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, January 17, competing at the USD Alumni Meet in Vermillion, South Dakota.
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