The Coyote women’s cross country team topped the field by 21 points at the NDSU Bison Open at the Rose Creek Golf course on Friday.
Junior Abby Ripperda was the first to cross the finish line for the Coyotes as she placed second overall in the competition. She broke the 4,000-meter record for USD, clocking in at 13:46.6.
Sophomore Maddie Lavin secured fourth overall as the second Coyote to place. Lavin finished with a time of 14:27.2, while senior Kianna Stewart came in just behind her at 14:27.4 for fifth overall. Juniors Laura Nelson and Kelsi Kearney were the fourth and fifth finishers for USD, clocking 14:38.4 and 14:46.5, respectively.
USD secured their victory in the team race with a tally of 30 points, beating out NDSU who scored 51 points.
The men’s team placed third at the event with freshman Clayton Whitehead leading the team in his first appearance for USD. He finished 10th at a time of 18:50.0 on the 6,000-meter short course.
Sophomore Merga Gameda crossed the line soon after Whitehead at 18:56.1 to place 11th. Senior Abdinasir Abdi came in at 18th with a time of 19:21.2.
USD competes next at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Friday, Sept. 6. The women race first at 8:30 p.m.
