Track teams set for outdoor Dakota Duals
The University of South Dakota track and field season is in full stride and the team is preparing for their Dakota Duals meet this Friday in Yankton.
Women’s track head coach Lucky Huber said everyone is excited for the upcoming meet.
“The (Dakota) Duals is always really exciting,” Huber said. “Being able to compete outside as well as compete versus South Dakota State (University) will be very fun and exciting.”
The Coyotes’ last two-day event was on Mar. 30 and 31 where the team competed in the Wildcat Classic, a meet in which USD did not disappoint.
Junior Benson Langat recieved first place for all men in the mile and 5,000-meter run with times of 4:22 and 15:53, respectively. Sophomore Adam Mikkelsen got first place in the high jump with a height of 6’8”.
The men’s squad also picked up first place finishes from freshman Kyle McKelvey in the shot put, sophomore Cody Snyder in the discus throw and senior Tanner Willard in the pole vault.
For the women’s team, freshman sprinter and jumper Analisa Huschle got first place in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.96 as well as first place in the triple jump with measure of 38-6.
Huschle wasn’t the only star, as the Coyotes also had first-places finishes in the 400-meter dash, 800-meter run, 4×100 meter relay, 4×400 meter relay and shot put.
USD is looking to have similar success this Friday, though they know it won’t be an easy task.
“SDSU has great athletes so we’re going to need great efforts out of everybody,” Huber said. “It’s going to be a fun time and it will be a good challenge
for us.”
Huber also said this meet will be enjoyable to watch because the team won’t be split up.
“For the past few weeks people have been split, so it will be fun seeing more people compete,” Huber said.
Men’s head coach Dave Gottsleben also agrees it will be a good challenge.
“We’re going to have to perform well and I really believe we can,” Gottsleben said.
After the Dakota Duals the Coyotes next meet will come on April 13 and 14 as the squad travels to Sioux City for the Sioux City Relays.
