JACKS HUNT FOR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Thursday, May 15

Vermillion, S.D.

South Dakota State University

Summit League Championships

5/14/2025 11:36:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

By: BECCA BALL

BROOKINGS, S.D. — South Dakota State is on the hunt for a conference title at the Summit League Outdoor Championships this weekend, hosted by the University of South Dakota.

THE MEET
Information | Schedule

The Jackrabbits will be looking to make waves this weekend at the Summit League Outdoor Championships, hosted by USD in Vermillion, S.D. at Lillibridge Track Complex. The competition will begin on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. with decathlon and heptathlon events and the women's javelin throw. Track events will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the 200-meter trials, and wrap up with the 10,000-meter finals. Friday begins with the multi events at 11:00 a.m., followed by field events at 2:00 p.m., and track qualilfying runs at 4:00 p.m. Saturday will be the last day of the conference meet, beginning with field events at 11:00 a.m. and track finals following at 1:00 p.m.

ATHLETES TO WATCH

Cody Larson has been making waves this season. Last season, the junior made his way to the NCAA West First Round in the 3000-meter steeplechase, where he finished 33rd at 9:12.07. This year, Larson clocked the 11th-fastest time in the nation at 8:30.96, breaking a nearly 35-year-old program record by 13 seconds. Larson also clocked the 33rd-fastest time in the nation in the 5000-meter race at 13:34.46.

Hunter Wallster will be returning this year as the former hammer throw champion of last year's outdoor conference championship. This past indoor track season, the senior clutched gold in the weight throw with a personal record of 68-00.05 (20.74m) and will undoubtedly be interesting to watch in his final run as a Jackrabbit.

James Pierce will be one to watch this season as the sophomore was the Summit League Outdoor Track and Field 400-meter champion in his first year of collegiate competition. Pierce also clutched gold in the 400-meter during the conference championship this past indoor season and assisted the men's 4X400-meter relay team to a new program record.

Caiden Fredrick saw an outstanding start to the outdoor season. The sophomore dominated the discus throw at the USD Challenge with a mark of 187-00 (57.00m) to win the event and set a new South Dakota State program record. Fredrick's mark of 57.00m is currently the 38th-best mark in the nation.

Brielle Dixon will be one to keep an eye on this year as the senior enters the outdoor season as a former all-league finisher in the 100-hurdles and an NCAA West First Round qualifier. Along with her successful run last season, Dixon turned heads throughout this past indoor season as she steadily improved her 60-hurdle time, resulting in an 8.16 60-hurdle personal record, a top-25 time in the nation. Dixon clocked her record at the Summit League Indoor Conference Championship, where she won the event and set a new meet record.

Madison Kizer has seen a solid senior season and will undoubtedly be looking to round out her collegiate career with a trip to the NCAA Regionals. Kizer finished 10th in high jump at the Summit League Outdoor Championships last year, but managed to move on to the NCAA Regionals where she finished 43rd in the prelims with a leap of 5-05.25 (1.66m). This season, Kizer has been consistently jumping 5-07.00 (1.70m) or higher, and has won three times this season, and finished third at the Steve Scott Invitational at UC Irvine with a jump of 5-08.00 (1.73m). Kizer's best mark came from the Mount Marty Twilight, where the senior tied the SDSU program record with a leap of 5-10.75 (1.80m). Kizer's record is currently tied for 18th-best in the West Region and is the second-best leap in the Summit League behind Arienne Birch of North Dakota State who has cleared 6-01.25 (1.86m).

Jessica Lutmer will be looking to cap her senior season with a trip to the NCAA West First Round. Last year, Lutmer took bronze in the 10,000-meter race with a time of 35:44.41. This year, Lutmer posted a 10,000-meter time of 34:00.53, which is currently the 41st-best time in the West Region. Lutmer's time is also the second-fastest in the Summit League this season behind North Dakota's Jadyn Keeler's time of 32:06.70.

LAST TIME OUT

Grayson Ring had an incredible showing at the USD Twilight as the junior won the high jump competition by tying Ben Jasinski's program record of 7-01.00 (2.16m). Ring's jump is currently tied for 17th in the West Region and tied for 26th in the nation.

Over in throws, Nora Peterson took silver in javelin with a mark of 135-10.00 (41.41m). Ryann Moline competed as well, finishing fourth with a throw of 133-01.00 (40.56m).

On the track, Brielle Dixon won the 100-meter hurdles at 13.59, while Katelyn Darnell finished at 14.44 to take second.

Maggie Madsen finished runner-up in the 200-meter at 24.61, while Ellie Harris cruised in behind her at 24.80 to take bronze.

In the distance events, Emma Gonzalez won the 1500-meter with a time of 4:39.31. Nicole Swanson competed as well, taking third at 4:42.12.

Josh Becker kicked off competition for the Jackrabbits at the Cyclone Twilight with a dub in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Becker crossed the line at 8:50.81 to become the fourth-best performer in SDSU history.

Brandon Kampsen saw an amazing 800-meter performance as the sophomore placed fourth with a time of 1:48.91 to become the second-best performer in program history behind Head Coach Rod DeHaven's program record of 1:48.67 (1986).

On the women's side, Claire Beckman finished fourth in the 800-meter at 2:07.68 to move up to the fourth-best performer in program history.

Grace Waage competed in the Lever Women's 1500-meter competition, finishing ninth at 4:27.15.

Jackson Dutcher represented the Jackrabbits in the Fitness Sports Men's 1500-meter race. Dutcher finished ninth with a time of 3:46.50.

RANKINGS

USTFCCCA released its conference and regional rankings on Tuesday. The men's Jackrabbit squad held its position at first in the Summit League and 12th in the Midwest. The women's team dropped to third place in the conference and held steady at 16th place in the region.

-GoJacks.com-