FREDRICK CRUSHES WEIGHT THROW RECORD

Three male weight throwers stand on the podium in front of school flags. The first and third-place finishers wear black, while the runner-up finisher is in dark green.

2/27/2026 10:10:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

THROWERS EARN THREE OF SIX SDSU MEDALS

By: Becca Ball

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — South Dakota State wraps up day one of the Summit League Conference Championships with six podium finishes. The men's team is currently runner-up with 47 points, while the women sit at fifth with 25 points at the conclusion of events Friday evening.

The throwers absolutely demolished the competition, as three of SDSU's six medals came from the weight throw events. On the men's side, Caiden Fredrick and Ethan Fischer finished first and third, respectively. Fredrick dueled with North Dakota State's Kaden Pastian as the pair exchanged first-place throws. Fredrick had the final attempt of the field and threw a whopping 69-01.25 (21.06m), besting Pastian's mark of 67-04.00 (20.52m). The junior also claimed the Jackrabbit program record, previously set at 68-11.75 by Colton Bender in 2018. Fredrick was joined on the podium by Fischer, who earned his bronze medal with a mark of 62-11.25. On the women's side, Josie Curry placed third with a mark of 61-08.50 (18.81m).

The women's distance medley relay had a phenomenal run to round out the night. The team, consisting of Nina Dawson, Vivian Dalton, Madalyn Childs and Eleni Lovgren, narrowly bested the University of South Dakota team to take gold. The four women posted a combined time of 11:32.56, demolishing the Jackrabbit record of 11:43.09 by over 10 seconds. The SDSU DMR time also bested the Summit League Indoor Championship meet record, which previously stood at 11:36.56, set by USD in 2024.

Cody Larson took the crown in the 3000-meter for the second year in a row. Larson held back at the beginning of the race, before dusting the competition in the final 200 meters to finish at 8:15.48 and defend his title. Will Lohr raced alongside Larson. Lohr battled USD's Isaac Ochoa for a spot on the podium before barely missing bronze by less than a second with a time of 8:20.75.

Johanna Pihl claimed bronze in the long jump. The freshman landed a mark of 18-11.75 to earn a spot on the podium and become the seventh-best performer in SDSU history.

Ryan Benson kicked off the meet with a bang. The senior posted several personal records across the four heptathlon events to finish runner-up in every event. Benson is currently second in the heptathlon with 3064 points. The men's heptathlon will continue competition tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. with the 60-meter hurdles.

Ellie Harris and Silja Gunderson continue to light up the track with phenomenal performances. Harris posted a 60-meter personal record of 7.53 to become the sixth-best performer in program history and advance to the finals tomorrow afternoon. Gunderson also earned a spot in the 60-meter finals with a personal record time of 7.54 to take the spot of seventh-fastest performer in SDSU history. Gunderson also made the 60-meter hurdles finals with a time of 8.59.

Harris claimed a spot in the 200-meter finals as well, as she posted a personal record time of 24.10. Maggie Madsen will join Harris in the finals as the senior finished the 200-meter dash with a qualifying time of 24.34. On the men's side, Griffin Fischer and Hudson Schroeder will compete in the finals after posting qualifying times of 21.67 and 21.82, respectively.

Brady Wallace and Carter Johnson earned a spot in the 60-meter hurdles finals. Wallace clocked 7.93, while Carter Johnson finished at 8.10.

Four 800-meter runners earned their place in the finals scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Reese Luze finished at 2:11.86 to become the seventh-best 800-meter performer in program history. Lindsey Rotz will accompany her in the finals as she qualified with a time of 2:12.52. On the men's side, Joe Dustin and Brandon Kampsen will be advancing after racing 1:52.60 and 1:52.62, respectively.

Jenna Johnson and Erika Kuntz will compete in the 400-meter finals. Jenna Johnson earned her spot in the finals with a time of 55.98, while Kuntz finished at 56.00. Cael Woods advanced on the men's side with a time of 49.08.

Competition will continue tomorrow morning with the men's heptathlon, followed by field events at 11:30 a.m., and track events at 1:00 p.m.

-GoJacks.com-