For Immediate Release
Thursday, December 1, 2016
NSIC Media Relations

Minnesota State Selected as Preseason Favorite in NSIC Women's Indoor Track & Field Coaches' Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The defending NSIC Champions of Minnesota State University, Mankato were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason women's indoor track & field coaches' poll. The Mavericks received 12 first place votes and tallied 194 points, ranking them ahead of Augustana (176) and the University of Minnesota Duluth (164).  Augustana received two first place votes, while the University of Mary, which was picked fifth with 157 points, also received one first place vote. 

Winona State's Kaitlyn Long was selected as the preseason field athlete of the year while Minnesota Duluth's Emi Trost was named the preseason track athlete of the year. 

The 2016-17 NSIC indoor track & field season gets underway on Friday, December 2 with the regular season culminating on Friday-Saturday, February 24-25 at the NSIC Championship held at Myers Fieldhouse in Mankato, Minnesota, hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato.
 

2016-17 NSIC Women's IDTF Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Minnesota State (12)	194
2. Augustana (2)	176
3. Minnesota Duluth	164
4. Winona State	159
5. University of Mary (1)	157
6. St. Cloud State	112
7. Sioux Falls	108
Northern State	108
9. MSU Moorhead	107
10. Concordia-St. Paul	70
11. Southwest Minnesota State	67
12. Wayne State	55
13. Bemidji State	45
14. Minot State	36
15. Upper Iowa	17
First place votes in ( )

 
Emi Trost (Jr., Goodhue, Minn. / Cannon Falls HS)
Minnesota Duluth
- Reigning NSIC and NCAA II Central Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year
- High-point Scorer at last year’s NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships
- Won two individual titles (1000m (for the second year in a row) and the mile run) at the 2016 event and did both in a record-breaking conference time 
- Ran the 800-meter leg on UMD’s title-winning distance medley relay team 
- Went on to finish second in the mile at the NCAA II Indoor Track and Field Championships in a school-record 4:37.57
- Was part of a Bulldog distance medley relay unit that also placed second at the national indoors last March
- Has earned All-American indoor track status three times during his two years with the Bulldogs
 
Kaitlyn Long (Jr., Cottage Grove, Wis. / Monona Grove HS)
Winona State
- 2015 & 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor National Champion (Weight Throw)
- 2015-16 NSIC Indoor Field Athlete of the Year
- 2015-16 NSIC Indoor Champion - shot and weight
- Named USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week twice in 2015-16
- 2015 & 2016 USTFCCCA Indoor All-American
- 2016 USTFCCCA All-Region in Hammer and Weight
- 2016 NSIC All-Conference Indoor (shot put, hammer)
- 2015 USTFCCCA All-Region Indoor - weight

 

Augustana University Vikings

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
2nd	2nd
Team Preview
The Augustana women’s team is coming off of a second place finish at last season’s NSIC Indoor Championships and are looking to take that next step this season. Coach Tracy Hellman enters his 14th season as the Vikings head coach and will return nine All-NSIC honorees from last year’s indoor season. Highlighting the returners will be reigning NSIC Newcomer of the Year Olivia Montez Brown. Montez Brown earned All-American honors in the pentathlon and received All-NSIC and All-Region honors in the long jump. Leah Seivert returns after earning All-American honors in the 5000m last season. Other All-NSIC returners include Emma Anderson (1000m and DMR), Valerie Moos (4x400), Irene Almarcha (4x400), Carina Hofmeister (4x400), Brooke DeVos (DMR), Avery Selberg (DMR) and Annie Kruse (DMR).
Athletes to Watch
-  Olivia Montez-Brown (So., Great Britain, Jumps): reigning NSIC Newcomer of the year. Earned All-American honors in the pentathlon. Took first at the NSIC Championships in the pentathlon and the long jump -  Carina Hofmeister (Sr., Hamburg, Germany, Sprints): earned All-NSIC honors as a part of the 4x400m relay team. She broke the school record in the 200m with a time of 25.28 at the preliminaries of the NSIC Championships
First Event
Dec. 2-3 at SDSU Preseason

Bemidji State University Beavers

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
14th	13th
Team Preview
Under second-year head coach Kevin Kean, the Bemidji State indoor track and field team looks to continue to build in 2016-17. The team features several newcomers including veteran collegiate transfers Vanessa Rae Lopez and Alexandria Coleman in addition to a young, experienced team. Colman, an accomplished multi-event and long jump competitor, will also look to lead the Beaver hurdling core, while Lopes will headline a group of mid-distance runners. BSU’s throwers, one of the strengths of its 2016 team, returns the bulk of its lineup including Samantha Velde and Samara Tobeck, who came on strong in the throwing events last spring.
Athletes to Watch
Field - Alexandria Coleman (Sr., Dayton, Ohio) - A newcomer to the BSU track and field team, Coleman will be a multi-event/long jump/hurdles participant with the ability to lead BSU and earn team points in all three events. - Has a career-bests of 5.41 meters in the long jump, 9.25 in the 60-meter hurdles and 2,890 in the pentathlon. - Before transferring, was a member of the Tiffin 4x400-meter relay team, which was an NCAA qualifier with a 3:52.36.
Track – Vanessa Rae Lopez (Sr., Los Angeles, Calif.) - An elite miler, Lopez used cross country to prepare for the track and field season - Will compete in the mile, 800-meter run and could play a role in the Beavers’ 4x400-meter relay team. - Led the Beavers’ cross country team in four of five events this fall, including a 22:19 in the NSIC Championships to place 32nd individually. - As the fastest miler on one of the best distance teams in the nation, the California native also competed for Adams State University in 2014-15, where she placed 13th in the 1,500-meter run at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a personal-best time of 4:32.
First Event
Saturday, Dec. 3 at The Opener

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
11th	10th
Team Preview
The Golden Bears women’s team wrapped up an 11th place finish last season in the NSIC Indoor Championships and head into this season with nearly all of their top producers returning this season. The squad will once again be led by CSP’s solid trio of multi-event athletes as Wakpor Ighovojah, Erica Young and Kalle Burney are all back for another season. Ighovojah is fresh off taking home a fifth place finish in the pentathlon in the NSIC Indoor Multis to set the school record in the event while Young and Burney both made major strides and could figure into the points this season. Sprinter Gloria Williams also returns after being a key cog on the team last season on the track. She led all scorers on the team with six points as she took home a third place finish in the 60m. Marianna Kramer and Gretchen Feilen also return after a big season in the pole vault as Kramer grabbed a point in the indoor championships.
Athletes to Watch
- Wakpor Ighovojah (Pent., 5-4, Jr., Woodbury, Minn. / Woodbury HS) - Gloria Williams (Sprints, 5-5, Sr., Minneapolis, Minn. / Roosevelt HS)
First Event
Friday/Saturday, Dec. 2-3 at MSU Preseason Open & Multi (Minnesota State)

University of Mary Marauders

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
5th	5th
Team Preview
After capturing four of the previous five NSIC indoor team championships, the University of Mary slipped to fifth. Ranked 10th in the country in the USTFCCCA preseason poll, the Marauders look to rebound this season behind All-American’s Davina Carr and Tonie-Ann Pandohie. Carr placed third in the pole vault at the NSIC indoor championships before placing 3rd nationally. The three-time All-American improved to second in both categories last spring. Pandohie, who earned All-American honors at the 2015 NCAA outdoor championships as a member of Mary’s 4x100 meter relay team, had an impressive NSIC indoor championship in 2016. She placed in the top three of three events: second in the 60 meter dash and third in both the 200 meter dash and the 60 meter hurdles. The junior qualified for the NCAA championships in the 60 hurdles. Also five-time All-American Alexis Zeis, the defending conference 3,000 meter champion, is back for Mary.
Athletes to Watch
Davina Carr (Pole Vault, Sr., Nine Mile Falls, Wash.) - Three-time All-American - Placed third in the pole vault at 2016 NSIC and NCAA indoor championships - Claimed second in the pole vault at both the 2016 NSIC and NCAA outdoor championships Tonie-Ann Pandohie (Sprints/Hurdles, Jr., Kingston, Jamaica) - Three-time All-NSIC performer in the 60 meter dash, 200 meter dash and the 60 meter hurdles at the 2016 conference indoor championships - All-American member of the 2015 outdoor Marauders 400 meter relay team
First Event
December 2, 2016, at NDSU Dakota Duels in Fargo, N.D.

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
3rd	3rd
Team Preview
UMD welcomes back 38 letterwinners from a year ago, including reigning NSIC and NCAA II Central Region Indoor Track Athlete of the Year Emi Trost, and fellow All-American Breanna Colbenson (the 5,000-meter run champion in 2016). The middle distance events should once again be a strong suit for a UMD club which will be one of the youngest Joanna Warmington has had in her seventh years at the head coaching helm. She looks for Wisconsin high school state champions Allyssa Kavajecz (high jump) and Elizabeth Kyes (800 meters)  and Savannah Rivard (400 meters) to have an immediate impact.
Athletes to Watch
Emi Trost  - Was the top point-producer at last year’s NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships …Won two individual titles (1,000 and the mile) and did so in record-breaking time at the 2016 event as a sophomore. … Also ran the 800-meter leg on UMD’s title-winning distance medley relay team  … Went on to place second in the mile at the NCAA II Indoor Track and Field Championships.  Liz Brunner – Placed third in the triple jump with a leap of 38’-11.75” in her NSIC indoor debut last February
First Event
Dec. 3  at the Opener (College of St. Scholastica)

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
1st	1st
Team Preview
The Mavericks are hoping to keep the momentum they gained after capturing the 2016 NSIC Indoor Track & Field Championship.  Minnesota State, which has won two NSIC titles (the other championship was in 2009), will look to five individuals who return with NCAA meet experience to lead the way. Senior Haley Kruger earned All-America honors after finishing seventh in the national indoor meet in the 800m last year Senior Brooke Foreman placed second in the 60m hurdles at the 2016 NSIC meet. Sophomore Afure Adah won last year’s NSIC 200m title, and Ariel Thomas, who is the returning NSIC 60m champion, qualified for the NCAA indoor championship in the triple jump after claiming the conference indoor title.
Athletes to Watch
-  Khadiya Hollingsworth (HJ, So., Brookfield, Wis.) was an NCAA Outdoor TF Championship national qualifier and won the NSIC Outdoor high jump championship (5-7.75) - Altoniece Williams (60m hurdles, Jr., Miami, Fla.) won last year’s NSIC indoor title in the 60m hurdles and was an All-American in the event at the NCAA meet with a second-place finish
First Event
Dec. 2-3, Chuck Petersen Open, Mankato, Minn.

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
9th	9th
Team Preview
Senior Alissa Mears was All-NSIC in the 800 indoors while junior Bailey Reiner was All-NSIC in the long jump. Junior Caroline Jansen returns in the multi events for the Dragons, who also return experience in the distance and throwing events.
Athletes to Watch
Field: Caroline Jansen (Multis, Jr., Bertha, Minn./Brandon-Evansville HS) - finished fourth at the NSIC Outdoor Championships in the heptathlon - finished sixth at the NSIC Indoor Championships in the pentathlon Track: MaKenzie Smith (Distance, Sr., Donnelly, Minn./Morris Area HS) - finished sixth at the NSIC outdoor meet in 10,000 meters and placed ninth in 5,000 - won 3,000 meters twice during season
First Event
Friday, Dec. 2, Bison Classic, Fargo, N.D.

Minot State University Beavers

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
T12	14th
Team Preview
Minot State finished tied for 12th overall at the 2016 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championships. MISU will be bolstered by the addition of sophomore transfer Jana Warrick, who finished 75th overall the NCAA Division II Central Regional Cross Country Championships and 51st overall at the NSIC Cross Country Championships to pace the Beavers at both races. She will be joined by senior Randii Widmer who finished 16th overall in the triple jump last season at the NSIC Outdoor Championships. Minot State’s strong suit should be its distance team as joining Warrick is senior Samantha Huether and juniors Emily Westlake and Patience Albertson. The four were MISU’s top four runners in cross country and have formed the nucleus of the distance group for three seasons. MISU also returns sprinter/hurdler Erin Winterton who finished in the top 30 in the 60-meters and the 60 hurdles at last year’s NSIC Indoor Championships.
Athletes to Watch
-  Randii Widmer (Sr., Jumps, Devils Lake, N.D. / Devils Lake / Lake Region State) -  Jana Warrick (So., Distance, Eastvale, Calif. / Eleanor Roosevelt / Southern Utah)
First Event
Friday, Jan. 11 at South Dakota State Jim Emmerich Invite

Northern State University Wolves

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
6th	t-7th
Team Preview
The Northern State University women’s indoor track and field team opens the 2016-17 season with 12 new faces. The Wolves return All-NSIC performers Sasha Hovind and Hanneke Oosterwegel. Hovind won the 5000m run with a national qualifying time of 16:46.74. Hovind placed eighth in the event at the indoor championships earning All-American status and will enter the season as Northern’s track athlete to watch. Oosterwgel finished third in the 400m dash with a time of 58.41. In the field events, Autumn Schulz was nabbed as the athlete to watch after finishing 12th in the shotput with a throw of 11.43m. The women’s sixth place finish from the championships was their highest for the program since 2006.
Athletes to Watch
- Autumn Schulz (Throws, Sr., Wall, S.D. / Wall HS) - Sasha Hovind (Distance, Sr., Stirum, N. D. / North Sargent HS)
First Event
Friday, December 2nd at SDSU Holiday Open and Multi

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
8th	t-7th
Team Preview
Multi-time All-Americans and NSIC women’s pole vault champions Kimberly Peterson and Courtney Crandall lead the University of Sioux Falls Women’s Track & Field team into the 2016-17 season. Peterson was runner-up at the 2016 NSIC Indoor Championships, and she won the 2015 conference title. Peterson and Crandall, who redshirted during the previous indoor season, were the top two qualifiers at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships and each earned All-American finishes. Senior Rachel Huffman led her team to a sixth-place finish in the distance medley relay at last year’s NSIC Championships and is coming off a career-best cross country season. Jada Carr was third in the long jump at last year’s NSIC Indoor Championships and narrowly missed the NCAA Championship cut. Sarah Troescher leads a talented group of freshmen in the sprints and jumps.
Athletes to Watch
- Sarah Troescher (Fr., Sprints, Arcadia, Calif./Arcadia HS) - Courtney Crandall (Sr., Pole Vault, Rapid City, S.D/Rapid City Central HS)
First Event
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3 at Chuck Peterson/Minnesota State Open

Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
10th	11th
Team Preview
The Southwest Minnesota State track & field team opens its fourth season since the program restarted in 2014. SMSU returns several athletes that earned points at last season’s NSIC Championships. Senior Hannah Palmeter placed sixth in the 1-mile last year with a school record time of 5:05.58. Senior Eisha Oden recorded a fourth place time in the 400m at 58.49, while senior Rylee Armstrong finished fifth in the long jump and eight in the high jump. Junior Kim Shabino placed eighth in the 200m with a time of 25.59.
Athletes to Watch
- Senior Rylee Armstrong is back for her fourth season. Finished fifth at the 2016 NSIC Championships in the long  jump with a mark of 5.5m. Also placed eighth at the NSIC Championships in the high jump with a mark of 1.63m. - Junior Kim Shabino placed eighth at the NSIC Championships in the 200m with a time of 25.59.
First Event
Friday, Dec. 2, SDSU Open

St. Cloud State University Huskies

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
7th	6th
Team Preview
The Huskies women’s indoor track & field program will be led by seniors Patience Yalarati and Sam Sunstrom this season. Yalarati was All-NSIC in both the long jump and the triple jump after placing second in both events last indoor season during the conference meet. Yalartai also qualified for NCAA Nationals last season in the triple jump where she placed 16th overall. She placed in top three in either the long or triple jump in nine times last season. Sunstrom finished fifth in the 3,000m last indoor season at the conference meet, but placed in the top five in the mile,  3,000 or 5,000m a total of five times last season. She also earned All-American status during the outdoors season in the 10,000m and during the 2016 cross country season.
Athletes to Watch
-  Sam Sunstrom (Distance, Sr.,  Sauk Rapids, Minn.) -  Patience Yalarati (Triple Jump / Long Jump, Sr.,  Bloomington, Minn.)
First Event
Friday, Dec. 2 – SDSU Holiday Open – South Dakota State - Brookings, S.D.   Saturday, Dec. 3 – Chuck Peterson Open – Minnesota State – Mankato, Minn. Saturday, Dec. 3 – The Opener – St. Scholastica – Duluth, Minn.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
15th	15th
Team Preview
- Upper Iowa enters its second season of indoor track and field after bringing the program back to campus in 2015 - The Peacocks have seen their roster grow to 17 members and will be participating in more events this season - UIU returns 12 players including seniors Mekenzie Coppage and Chandra Smith as distance runners, as well as sophomores Cami Pickett and Erica Kelly as sprinters
Athletes to Watch
- Shay Lierman, Multi (So., Benton, Wisc.) - Kortney Lightfoot, Hurdles (Fr., Dubuque, Iowa)
First Event
Saturday, Dec. 3 at Chuck Peterson Open – Mankato, Minn.

Wayne State College Wildcats

2015-16 NSIC Championship Finish	2016-17 Preseason Poll
Tie 12th	12th
Team Preview
The return of All-American thrower Michaela Dendinger boosts the Wildcat women’s team for the 2016-17 indoor season.  Dendinger was a medical redshirt last year with a foot injury after placing fourth in the weight throw and shot put as a sophomore in the 2015 season.  The Wildcat roster is young with just two seniors and three juniors on a team with 18 total.  Seniors Melissa Kroll and Mary Alderson will lead the Wildcats in the sprints.  Depth in the throws will be strong for the Wildcats with the return of Dendinger along with junior Tessa Ives, sophomore Kes Burke and redshirt freshman Tia Jones.
Athletes to Watch
-  Michaela Dendinger, Jr. Coleridge, Neb. (Hartington HS) Throws - Melissa Kroll, Sr., Dunlap, Iowa (Boyer Valley HS) Sprints
First Event
Friday, December 2 at SDSU Holiday Open in Brookings, S.D.

Winona State University Warriors