Coyote runners prepare for Tim Young Invite

The University of South Dakota cross country teams will be hosting the Tim Young Invitational on Oct. 13.

Despite the increase in competition stemming from  the move to Division I, both the men and women’s teams have been performing well this season.

The Coyotes are hoping to continue that success into the final regular season meet of the year.

First-year Katie Wetzstein attributes the Coyotes’ success to the team camaraderie this season.

Junior Joe Mettler said the key to placing well is consistency.

“Distance running is all about consistency and building it and building it,” Mettler said. “Everything has been coming together over the past couple years and now we are almost to the point where we want to be.”

Mettler is no stranger to hardware this season, having been named Men’s Summit League Athlete of the Week in Sept.

The Tim Young Invite is a long-standing Vermillion  tradition, and runners from both the men’s and women’s teams are excited to be running at home in front of all their fans.

“It’s nice having all the support we have when we run in our host town,” Wetzstein said.

“There’s a big fan base here, and having parents, friends and alumni all come to cheer on the team makes it a lot easier to run,” Mettler said.

Not only is there the advantage of the crowd when running at home, but there is also an advantage of course knowledge.

“We know the course that we will be running on, which is a huge advantage for us, said senior Carol Miller.

The meet will begin at 10 a.m. with the Women’s 5K, followed by the Men’s 8K beginning at 10:45. Following those races, the Open 3K will begin at 11:30 with both the men’s and women’s teams competing.

“We know all the hills and the different troublesome spots, so we are hoping that it works out for the best,” Miller said.

Following the Tim Young Invitational, the Coyotes will begin preparations for postseason meets, including the Summit League Championships Oct. 27.