Coyote track team posts strong results in Texas meet, prepare for Nebraska invite
Over the weekend, the USD track and field team attended the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays and the Bobcat Invitational.
Many Coyotes had good showings in Texas, posting strong results for the team.
Senior Katie Wetzstein broke her own school record in the 1500-meter run with a time of four minutes and 21.05 seconds.
Senior Teivaskie Lewin came in second in two events, the 110-meter hurdles and the 4×100-meter relay. Other members of the relay team included junior Jack Thony, freshman Joe Reagan and sophomore Gawain Williams. They finished with a time of 41 seconds.
The meet’s location had a special meaning for throwing coach and three-time Olympian A.G. Kruger, who posted the third best hammer throw in Texas Relays history. His throwing was enough to qualify him for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Coming off of the meet, head coach Lucky Huber said he had positive thoughts about the rest of the season. With these just being the second meets of the season, the team is still taking shape. Huber said he’s making sure to get the athletes ready for the upcoming University of Nebraska meet.
Senior pole vaulter Emily Grove also believes the Coyote’s season is going well, as the team transitions from indoor to outdoor meets.
“The season is looking pretty good for us. We are just getting started for outdoor so things are just getting rolling and we are traveling to some nice meets that will be great for us,” she said. “Our team is really strong in the field events, we have numerous upperclassmen that are great leaders for our talented freshman to look up to in the jumps and throws.”
Grove also noted the runners’ improvements as the Coyotes get into the thick of the season.
“As far as the track, I think that our runners are stepping up and really starting to drop times and get going,” she said. “(That’s) another reason why this outdoor season is something to look out for.”
Grove took 11th place in the pole vault at the Texas Relays with a height of 13-3 1/2. The senior was recently named Summit League Indoor Field Athlete of the Year. As she competes in her final season, she said she has been able to look back at her growth and the growth of Coyote track overall.
“Being a senior is definitely interesting. It is neat to think back of how much this program has progressed across the board since my freshman year and also how far the other teammates have come over the years,” she said. “My eligibility flew by faster than I thought it would my freshman year.”
As outdoor events begin, Huber wants the athletes to focus on three goals, which he said stay the same from year to year.
“Our program has three main goals every year. One of them is to compete for conference title. Another is to get 30 people to the NCAA outdoor first round,” he said. “The third goal is to be an academic All-American Team.”
Huber said winning isn’t always everything, though.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete or a coach, you can always improve no matter where you’re at. Another one of my philosophies as a coach is to have the athletes understand that in track and field, it’s not about being the best, it’s about being the best that you can be,” Huber said. “Just trying to win in track and field will leave you unsatisfied.”
This weekend the team will travel to Lincoln, N.E. to participate in the Husker Spring Invite.
