SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (USD) — Coming off the program’s first-ever Summit League indoor title, South Dakota women’s track and field was picked as the Summit League preseason favorites as announced by the league office Thursday. The Coyote women tallied 47 points with six of the eight first-place votes in the preseason voting by the league’s head coaches. North Dakota State collected the other two first-place votes and 44 points. South Dakota’s last outdoor title was shared with North Dakota State in 2018, coincidentally the last time the meet was held at Oral Roberts. The Summit League Championships return to Tulsa May 12-14.
Sophomore Sara Reifenrath was the Summit’s 2021 Most Outstanding Championship Performer and the Newcomer of the Championship on the women’s side. Reifenrath swept the 200 meters, 400 meters and anchored the winning 4×400-meter relay at the championship meet. Other returning champions on the women’s side include Holly Gerberding in the 400-meter hurdles, Gen Hirata in the pole vault and Carly Haring in the high jump. Gerberding and Reifenrath joined Madison Jochum and Jacy Pulse on the championship 4×400-meter relay.
In addition, Coyote freshmen Danii Anglin, Moe Bridgen, Jayden Green and Ken-Mark Minkovski were all named Summit League athletes to watch by South Dakota Director of Track and Field Lucky Huber.
Summit League Women’s Outdoor Preseason Poll
1. South Dakota, 47 (6 first-place votes)
2. North Dakota State, 44 (2 first-place votes)
3. South Dakota State, 38
4. Oral Roberts, 29
5. North Dakota, 26
6. St. Thomas, 19
7. Western Illinois, 12
8. Omaha, 9
