T&F opens outdoor season in Arkansas

Friday, March 24

Fayetteville, Ark.

South Dakota State University

Arkansas Spring Invitational

3/23/2017 11:51:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

Performance List Schedule of Events Live Results ESPN3 Live Stream Schedule of Events

Jacks return 16 All-League Performers from last year

The South Dakota State track and field program will kick off its 2017 outdoor campaign this weekend when it travels to John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark., for the Arkansas Spring Invitational.

The men's and women's hammer throw and women's discus throw are the only events that will take place on Friday night, with the men's hammer throw scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. and the women's hammer throw to follow at 5:15 p.m. The women's discus throw is set to begin at 6:45 p.m. On Saturday, field events will begin with the women's long jump at 1:30 p.m., while running events are scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. with the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase.

The meet will be streamed live on the SEC Network+ and can also be seen through Watch ESPN. Live results are available at FlashResults.com.

The Jackrabbits' return 16 all-league performers—11 men, 5 women—from a year ago.

On the men's side, the Jacks return all-league performers Bo Arnold, Adam Belhaj, Kyle Burdick, Ayub Kassim, Dru Kenny, Cal Lawton, Joel Reichow, Brendan Sage, Alejandro Sanchez, Zach Schroeder, and Riley Sears. Joel Reichow (5,000-meter run) and Alejandro Sanchez (800-meter run) each have Summit League titles to defend during the outdoor season.

The Jackrabbit women return 5 of 11 all-league performers from last season, including Savannah Dolezal, Sandra Gramer, Vanessa Lane, Kayla McDonald and Cailyn Schreurs.

Men picked second, women third in coaches poll
The South Dakota State men's track and field team tied for second, and the women's team was picked to finish third in The Summit League outdoor track and field preseason poll. The North Dakota state men and women were each selected as the league's preseason favorite.

The Jackrabbit men tied South Dakota for second with 19 points in the preseason poll, with the Jackrabbits receiving a first-place vote. North Dakota State received 25 points and the remaining five first-place votes. North Dakota State has won the past seven Summit League outdoor track and field championships.

South Dakota State's women's team received 37 points, finishing behind North Dakota State (49 points) and South Dakota (43 points). North Dakota State received seven first-place votes, while South Dakota received one. North Dakota State has taken home the past nine Summit League titles.

Up Next
The Jackrabbits will travel to Texas for two meets beginning March 29. Part of the team will compete at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, while other team members will compete at the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos, Texas.

-GoJacks.com-