WAYNE, Neb. – The University of Sioux Falls men's and women's indoor track & field teams put together another strong day of competition on Saturday at the WSC NCAA Showdown, highlighted by multiple personal records, two Division II nationally ranked marks, and a pair of event podium finishes in the throws.

The Cougars' women were led by a standout performance from junior Emma Thomas in the 800 meters. Thomas placed third overall with a time of 2:17.03, setting a dome record in the process while also earning a new Division II national ranking (No. 45) and a personal best. In the throws, junior Delanie VanDriel continued her strong start to the season with a pair of top-four finishes. VanDriel placed third in the weight throw with a personal-best 16.56m, good for a new DII No. 46 mark, and added a fourth-place finish in the shot put at 12.66m, which also landed on the national list (New DII No. 81). Faith Rustad added another solid result for the Cougars on the track, finishing 12th in the 800 meters (2:28.41).

On the men's side, the highlight came in the weight throw as junior Andrew Edwards captured the event title with a massive 19.00m, reaching NCAA Division II provisional standard in one of the top throws in the region this season. Edwards also had a strong day overall in the throws group, supported by freshmen Jackson Gacke and Landen Schmidt, who both delivered solid marks in the weight throw and shot put.

USF also saw encouraging development on the track, as Jackson Drew placed second in the 600 meters with a personal-best time of 1:26.25. Freshman Jaylen Palmer followed closely behind with another PR in third (1:29.47). In the distance events, Ethan West posted a personal-best 9:31.76 in the 3000 meters, while Jace Cofer turned in a season-best 4:53.79 in the mile.

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Full Results (Finals Only)

Men

600m
2. Jackson Drew – 1:26.25 (PR)
3. Jaylen Palmer – 1:29.47 (PR)

800m
14. Guta Buta – 2:09.04 (PR)

1 Mile
12. Jace Cofer – 4:53.79 (SB)

3000m
20. Ethan West – 9:31.76 (PR)

Shot Put
14. Jackson Gacke – 12.52m
15. Landen Schmidt – 12.43m
Andrew Edwards – FOUL

Weight Throw
1. Andrew Edwards – 19.00m (NCAA DII Provisional)
18. Jackson Gacke – 13.74m
19. Landen Schmidt – 13.37m

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Women

800m
3. Emma Thomas – 2:17.03 (PR, Dome Record, New DII #45)
12. Faith Rustad – 2:28.41

Shot Put
4. Delanie VanDriel – 12.66m (SB, New DII #81)

Weight Throw
3. Delanie VanDriel – 16.56m (PR, New DII #46)
18. Raygen Diede – 13.00m (SB)

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Up Next

The Cougars will head to Mankato, Minnesota on January 30–31 to compete at the Mark Schuck Open and Multi, continuing the indoor season slate as USF builds toward the championship stretch.

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