By: Madie Brink
MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Sioux Falls track & field teams wrapped up competition at the NSIC Indoor Championships with strong team finishes and multiple All-Conference performances. The Cougar men placed fifth overall, while the women finished eighth in the two-day championship meet.
USF was led by a pair of individual conference champions, as Tamia Horton and Andrew Edwards each claimed event titles and earned All-NSIC honors.
Horton continued her historic indoor season by winning the 60 meters in a personal-best and school record of 7.35, a mark that ranks sixth in NCAA Division II this season. After qualifying first in prelims (7.43), the senior delivered in the final to secure the conference crown and 10 team points.
On the men's side, Edwards captured the weight throw title with a mark of 19.96 meters (65-6.00), earning 10 team points and All-Conference honors. He also added a seventh-place finish in the shot put to contribute additional team scoring.
Jonny Cheney pieced together a runner-up finish in the heptathlon with 5,212 points to earn All-Conference honors, highlighted by event victories in the 60 meters (7.05), 1000 meters (2:43.19), and high jump (2.01m). The performance added significant points to the men's team total while also setting a USF school record that was set in 2017 by Theodore Frid.
The men's 4x400 relay team of Micah Holien, Jensen Hyronimus, Brandon Stark, and Jonny Cheney also secured All-Conference honors with a runner-up finish in 3:18.55, earning eight team points in the final event of the championship.
Delanie Van Driel delivered a strong championship performance in the women's throws, earning All-Conference honors with a third-place finish in the weight throw (17.19m). She also placed fifth in the shot put. Peyton Hanson added points in the pole vault, while Kendra King contributed in the triple jump.
Brandon Stark placed third in the 600 meters, Bryson Canton added points in the 800 meters, and Owen Janiszeski scored in both the mile and 5000 meters. Camden Janiszeski chipped in a point in the 3000 meters.
Highlighting the academic excellence of the championship weekend, Collin Dingsor earned his second NSIC Elite 18 Award, recognizing the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing at the championship site.
With multiple All-Conference honors and two individual champions, the Cougars now await potential national qualifiers for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.
COACHES CORNER
"I'm incredibly proud of what our student-athletes were able to accomplish this indoor season," stated head coach
Eric Chilson. "Their commitment to compete for each other showed up consistently. The growth we saw individually and as a team sets a strong foundation moving forward and is a testament to their character, work ethic, and belief in the process."
Final Results (Finals Only)
Women
60m
800m
1000m
High Jump
Long Jump
Pole Vault
Shot Put
Triple Jump
Weight Throw
4x400 Relay
Men
600m
800m
1 Mile
3000m
5000m
Shot Put
Weight Throw
Heptathlon
Distance Medley Relay
4x400 Relay
Up Next
USF will wait to hear who qualifies for the NCAA National Championships held March 13-14th at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va. National Qualifiers will be announced March 3rd.
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