2020-21 NSIC WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD PRESEASON COACHES' POLL

12/21/2020 11:00:00 AM

University of Mary claims top spot in NSIC Women's Indoor Preseason Coaches' Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The three-time defending NSIC Champions of the University of Mary were picked to win the NSIC in the preseason women's indoor track & field coaches' poll. The Marauders received 10 first place votes and tallied 191 points, ranking them ahead of the Minnesota State University, Mankato (179) and Augustana (179) that tied for second. Minnesota State picked up four first place votes while Augustana had the other first place vote.

Minnesota State's Makayla Jackson (track) and Augustana's Elizabeth Schaefer (field) were voted by the coaches as the preseason athletes of the year. Jackson was the NSIC Indoor Champion and record holder in the 60m and Long Jump as freshmen and was named NSIC Newcomer of the Year. Schaefer earned USTFCCCA All-America honors in the pentathlon and won the pentathlon at the NSIC Championships as a true freshman with a score of 3,692 points.

The 2020-21 NSIC Indoor Track & Field season gets underway in January with the regular season culminating on Friday-Saturday, February 26-27 at the NSIC Championship held at Myers Fieldhouse in Mankato, Minnesota, hosted by Minnesota State University, Mankato.

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Makayla Jackson (Sprints/Jumps, So., Milwaukee, Wis. / Milwaukee King HS) - Minnesota State University, Mankato

NSIC Indoor Champion and record holder in the 60m and Long Jump as freshmen
Was named NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2020
Was named NSIC All-American in the 60m, 200m and Long Jump

Makayla is the returning NSIC Newcomer of the year. She broke NSIC record in 60m and Long Jump as a freshmen where she went on to win two conference titles and runner up in the 200m. She qualified in three events for the NCAA Indoor Championships (60m, 200m, Long Jump).

Head Coach Mike Turgeon

Elizabeth Schaefer (Multi/Hurdles, So., Rapid City, S.D. / Rapid City Stevens HS) - Augustana University

Earned USTFCCCA All-America honors in the pentathlon
Won the pentathlon at the NSIC Championships as a true freshman with a score of 3,692 points
Qualified for NCAA Indoor Championships in the pentathlon
Earned USTFCCCA All-Central Region honors in the pentathlon

Elizabeth had an outstanding freshman campaign and now has more experience entering her second season. She also has a range of talents and can compete in various events over the course of a meet to help the team. She is a rising star and it will be exciting to see her race during the upcoming track season.

Head Coach Tracy Hellman

NSIC TEAM PREVIEWS & ATHLETES TO WATCH

AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY

Last season, the Vikings finished their indoor track & field season second in the NSIC and were ranked 23rd in the USTFCCCA poll before the national championships were canceled. Augustana has added nine newcomers and returns 39 athletes, including eleven seniors. At the NSIC Championships last season, Carly Rahn placed second in the 800m. The Vikings also broke the conference DMR record of Carly Rahn, Mariah Beckius, Emily Tromp, and Patty Jo English. Now-sophomore Elizabeth Schaefer took the victory in the heptathlon, senior Olivia Montez Brown took runner-up honors just ten points behind Schaefer and now-sophomore Kaye Paschka rounded out the scorers placing fourth. Schaefer, and the now graduated Montez Brown, had qualified for the national championship along with Carly Rahn in the 800m. Augustana returns 17 of the 19 point scorers from last year’s NSIC Championships squad that tallied 143.66 points to place second.

Our women's team is very deep and experienced, and the coaching staff is excited to see what we can do when given opportunity. A majority of team points from last year are back, and we have added some talented freshmen that look to add to our team depth.

Head Coach Tracy Hellman

Nicolette Schmidt (Distance, Jr., Sioux Falls S.D. / Redfield HS) - Augustana University

Placed second in 5,000m at the NSIC Championships with a time of 17:17.21
Placed second in the 3,000m at the NSIC Championships with a time of 10:02.69
Earned USTFCCCA All-Central Region honors in the 3,000 meter and 5,000 meter

Nicolette has steadily improved each season and is in a great position for success this indoor season. She has been very consistent with her training, and positive results are showing within her training. The coaching staff is excited to see what she can do this upcoming track season.

Head Coach Tracy Hellman

Elizabeth Schaefer (Multi/Hurdles, So., Rapid City, S.D. / Rapid City Stevens HS) - Augustana University

Earned USTFCCCA All-America honors in the pentathlon
Won the pentathlon at the NSIC Championships as a true freshman with a score of 3,692 points
Qualified for NCAA Indoor Championships in the pentathlon
Earned USTFCCCA All-Central Region honors in the pentathlon

Elizabeth had an outstanding freshman campaign, and now has more experience entering her second season. She also has a range of talents and can compete in various events over the course of a meet to help the team. She is a rising star and it will be exciting to see her race during the upcoming track season.

Head Coach Tracy Hellman

BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY

The Bemidji State women’s indoor track & field team begins the 2020-21 season after seeing several program records fall last season en route to an 11th place finish at the 2020 NSIC Indoor Championships. BSU ranked among the top 30 in the nation in three events and the top 40 in four events. During the 2019-20 indoor season, seven records were broken while 43 top-10 marks were set. BSU’s Field Athlete to Watch, Zoe Christensen, became just the second All-American thrower for the program since 2002, was named to the USTFCCCA NCAA DII All-Region Team, and earned All-NSIC after finishing second in the shot put. Not only did she excel in the shot put, but she also set seven of BSU’s all-time top-10 weight throw marks, including the program record with a throw of 59-05.00. BSU’s Track Athlete to Watch, Faith Beck, finished fifth in the 60m hurdles at the 2020 NSIC Indoor Championships, which set the BSU’s indoor record. She recorded five 60m hurdle times that ranked among the top 10 all-time at BSU.

Head Coach Kevin Kean, entering his sixth season leading Bemidji State, helped the squad earn 12 2019-20 Winter NSIC All-Academic Team selections, including 10 on the All-Academic Team of Excellence.

The talent we have on our roster right now makes me so happy, these ladies have a lot to be proud of. From our returners and the new additions, our team has made tremendous leaps and bounds in the last few years. Throws, Sprints, Jumps/Multis, and Distance have all grown in roster size and talent, a true testament to the efforts of our coaching staff and wisdom of our upper classmen. The group we have worked with this Fall wants to make an impact this season and has a lot to show the track world once we get to compete. The Bemidji beavers are going to be a fun team to watch this year.

Head Coach Kevin Kean

Faith Beck (Hurdles, R-So., Dickinson, N.D. / Dickinson Trinity HS) - Bemidji State University

Earned a BSU record time of 8.94 and a fifth-place finish in the 60m hurdles at the NSIC Indoor Championships
Her 60m hurdle time ranked seventh in the NSIC and tied for 19th in the NCAA Central Region
Recorded five 60m hurdles times that ranked among the top 10 all-time at BSU
Set a personal record in the pole vault twice with a mark of 10-6

Faith is an outstanding student athlete who maintains an instinctive drive for perfection. Coming to us as a North Dakota state champion hurdler, our staff and team knew we had a great one in Faith. After her red shirt freshman season, Faith has already claimed the top spot of the Bemidji State all time 60m hurdle list. Scoring points for the team last year was a great step and with her attention to detail and competitive spirit, Faith now has her sights set on a top 3 finish at the NSIC championships. It is truly a joy to work with such a focused student athlete who takes time to understand her technical training and comes to the track ready to develop.

Head Coach Kevin Kean

Zoe Christensen (Throws, Jr., Glencoe, Minn. / Glencoe-Silver Lake HS) - Bemidji State University

Earned All-NSIC honors in the shot put with a toss of 47-01.75 and a second-place finish at NSIC Indoor Championships
Set the ninth-best shot put in program history with a throw of 48-09
Ranked second in the NSIC, fifth in the NCAA Central Region and 12th in the NCAA in the shot put
Hit the NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the shot put five times and in the weight throw three times
Set the BSU indoor program record in the weight throw with a toss of 59-05.00

Zoe is a hard worker. She wants to be better and puts in a lot of time to get stronger in the weight room and to stay fit during our holiday breaks. Zoe can be the person we build around going forward as a program since she has now been to the National Championships and has pushed her own marks so far already. I really like the way she expects to be better every week while following the ebbs and flows of a season’s unpredictability. The model for success at a very high level in the throws has been a long-standing tradition of BSU, and now is the era of Zoe.

Head Coach Kevin Kean

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL

The Concordia-St. Paul women’s track and field team is coming off a 2020 indoor season that saw them finish fifth at the NSIC Indoor Championship in Mankato with a total of 41 points. The Golden Bears will return three All-NSIC performers from the 2020 indoor season in Arika Robinson, Christabelle Mulcahy, and Toni Canfall. Robinson placed third in high jump at the 2020 NSIC Indoor championship in Mankato after clearing 5'4.25". Mulcahy placed second in the 60m hurdles at the 2020 NSIC Indoor Championships with a time of 8.78 seconds. CSP’s track athlete to watch for the 2021 season is sprinter Toni Canfall. The senior broke the school record in the 60m with a time of 7.44 seconds, landing her in second place at the 2020 NSIC Indoor Championship. Canfall also broke the school record in the 200m in the same weekend with a time of 24.73 seconds. The Golden Bear to watch in the field this season will be Sofia Dodge. The sophomore pole vaulter won the pole vault twice during her first season as a Golden Bear, including setting a personal record in the pole vault after clearing 11'5.75" at the Minnesota State Invitational. Dodge placed fourth at the NSIC Indoor Championships with a mark of 11'2.5". This year’s team also includes four new freshmen.

This women's team returns almost everyone from a team that surprised many people last year at the indoor conference championships. The women are more focused, more confident and understand to not take any opportunity for granted after having a season taken away from them last spring.

Head Coach Sam Johnson

Toni Canfall (Sprints, Sr., St. Petersburg, Fla. / Boca Ciega HS) - Concordia University, St. Paul

Ran a school record 60m dash with a time of 7.56 in 2020
Ran a school record 100m dash with a time of 11.84 in 2019
Earned All-NSIC honors in both 2018 and 2019

Toni returns to us this year with unfinished business on the track after an indoor season last year where she established herself as one of the top competitors in the conference and country. She has proven that she has the ability to rise to the occasion on a big stage. This year, she has an even better understanding of what it takes to be consistently great, week-in and week-out.

Head Coach Sam Johnson

Sofia Dodge (Pole Vault, So., Chisago Lakes, Minn. / Forest Lake HS) - Concordia University, St. Paul

Set a personal record in the pole vault after clearing 11-5.75 at the Minnesota State Invitational where she took first place
Won the pole vault twice during her freshman campaign
Placed fourth at the NSIC Indoor Championships with a mark of 11-2.5

After a promising start to her freshman indoor season last year, Sofia ran into some injuries that kept her from achieving her goals. Now, with another year in training and a healthy start to the season, we are excited for Sofia and her potential in the pole vault.

Head Coach Sam Johnson

UNIVERSITY OF MARY

The three-time defending Northern Sun indoor track & field champion University of Mary Marauders are the favorites to again win the conference title. Overall the Marauders own nine NSIC indoor championships in the 14 seasons since UMary joined the conference in 2006-07. A pair of All-Americans headline the Marauders efforts this winter. The reining NSIC Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, D’Andra Morris is a two-time All-American in the jumps and has qualified for four straight NCAA championships. The senior won both the NSIC 2020 indoor high jump and triple jump championships and placed 5th in the long jump to earn 25 points for UMary. She is the two-time defending NSIC champion in the high jump and also won the indoor triple jump crown as a freshman in 2018. Taylor Hestekin keys the Marauders efforts on the track. The junior mid-distance runner is a three-time All-American who has qualified for five NCAA championship events. The defending NSIC champion in the 1000 meter run, Hestekin additionally finished second in the mile. Junior Courtney Dembrowski and sophomore Elizabeth Acheson also qualified for last winter’s ill-fated NCAA indoor championship. Acheson won the NSIC title in the 600 meter run and Dombrowski placed 3rd in the 800. Other returning All-NSIC indoor track performers for UMary include Starlynn Costa (3000), Ava Grimm (600) and Kayla Ogle (Distance Medley Relay). Head coach Dennis Newell owns three straight NSIC Indoor Coach of the Year honors and owns ten conference coaching citations in his career.

Our program is excited for the possibility of moving forward with our training and competition in the future.

Head Coach Dennis Newell

Taylor Hestekin (Distance, Jr., Scranton, N.D. / Scranton HS) - University of Mary

Three-time All-American
Defending NSIC champion in the 1000 meter run and the runner-up in the mile
Qualified for five NCAA championship events

Taylor has consistently stepped up for our team in big moments and we expect her to continue to lead this team with her character and her athletic performances.

Head Coach Dennis Newell

D’Andra Morris (Jumps, Jr., Kingston, Jamaica / Camperdown HS) - University of Mary

Defending NSIC Indoor Field Athlete of the Year after winning both the triple and high jumps and scoring 25 points
Two time defending indoor high jump champion and owns two indoor triple jump championships in her career
Two-time All-American who has qualified for four NCAA championship events

D'Andra brings a great energy to our program and we are excited to see D'Andra motivate her teammates to achieve more than they thought was possible.

Head Coach Dennis Newell

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH

The University of Minnesota Duluth women’s indoor track and field program looks poised to be another solid squad this year in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Bulldogs finished in sixth place last season at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships, with two top-4 finishers, including a first-place victory. The athlete who got that victory was junior Haleigh Reindl (one of UMD’s athletes to watch this season), who won the 800-meter run with a time of 2:11.44. She was the lone Bulldog who qualified for NCAA DII 2020 Indoor Track and Field Championships. Reindl also won individual titles at the Twin Ports Invitational (mile-run, 5:14.52), and UW-Stout Bowlus (600-meter run, 1:38.67, mile-run, 5:10.37), while finishing second at the Jim Emmerich Invitational (800-meter run, 2:12.22) and NSIC Challenge (800-meter, 2:13.30). Reindl was also named NSIC Indoor Track Athlete of the Week last season on Jan. 28. Senior Lindsay Maruska is the other Athlete to watch for UMD. Maruska, a stellar triple jumper, is coming off of a solid junior year. She was able to place first at “The Opener” (36'-02.00"), Twin Ports Invitational (36'-10.50), Lake Superior Challenge (35'-10"), third place at Jim Emmerich Invitational (38'-3.5") and sixth place at NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships (38'-04.25"). Maruska also finished first at the Lake Superior Challenge in the 60-meter dash (7.92).

This fall the entire team constantly impressed me with the amount of work they were able to put in during a really challenging time. They have been able to come together and continue to work towards their goals and haven't lost sight of those. We were really starting to build momentum and confidence back in February/March and the women have been able to stay focused on that and stay positive. I know as soon as they are given the opportunity to compete they are all going to make tremendous improvements and be rewarded for the work they've put into this sport.

Head Coach Laura Harmon

Haleigh Reindl (800/Mile/4x400, Jr., Waterford, Wis. / Waterford HS) - University of Minnesota Duluth

Was named NSIC Indoor Track Athlete of the Week on Jan. 28th, 2020
Placed 1st in both 600m (1:38.67) and the mile (5:10.37) at the Warren Bowlus Open (UW-Stout)
2nd place (2:13.30) at NSIC Challenge in the 800m
Placed 1st in the 800m with a time of 2:11.44 in the NSIC Indoor Championships
Qualified NCAA DII Indoor Championships in the 800m with the 7th fastest time of 2:09.95-converted among the 19 runner field
Received USTFCCCA All-Region Honors

Haleigh has gained a great amount of confidence over the past year and is becoming an even more versatile runner at all distances. After losing the opportunity to compete at the NCAA meet in 2020 she is fired up and ready to make some even bigger breakthroughs.

Head Coach Laura Harmon

Lindsay Maruska (Jumps, Sr., Big Lake, Minn. / Big Lake HS - University of Minnesota Duluth

Placed first in the triple jump with a distance of 36’-02.00’ at St. Scholastica’s “The Opener”
At the Lake Superior Challenge, placed 1st in the 60m dash with 7.92 and TJ with 35’-10”
At the NSIC Indoor T&F Championships, placed 6th in TJ with a distance of 38’-04.25”
Made Winter & Spring 2019-20 NSIC All-Academic

Lindsay put together an incredible summer and fall of training. She has gained a lot of speed and strength even during unpredictable times. I know Lindsay is on track to have her best season as her last one competing as a Bulldog.

Head Coach Laura Harmon

MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO

The Minnesota State women’s indoor track and field program has been picked to finish second in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning four first-place votes, behind only defending conference champion U-Mary. The Mavericks finished last years NSIC Indoor Championship with four first place finishes including a pair of wins, and conference championship records, for Makayla Jackson in the long jump and 60m dash. Jackson enters her sophomore season as the NSIC pre-season track athlete of the year after qualifying for three events, the 60m dash, the 200m dash and the long jump, at the NCAA DII National Championship last season. Also returning for MSU are Samiya Abu-Youm, Rose Gaye, Mackenzie Woodard, Ja'Cey Simmons, and Katie Taylor who all earned NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field All-Region honors last season.

Our women’s team is lead by a strong sprints squad returning multiple All-Americans in the short sprints. We are bringing back a talented jumps, throws, vault group and excited about our freshmen distance class. We are looking forward to seeing the impact our 31 new freshmen and transfers have in the conference.

Head Coach Mike Turgeon

Makayla Jackson (Sprints/Jumps, So., Milwaukee, Wis. / Milwaukee King HS) - Minnesota State University, Mankato

NSIC Indoor Champion and record holder in the 60m and Long Jump as freshmen
Was named NSIC Newcomer of the Year in 2020
Was named NSIC All-American in the 60m, 200m and Long Jump

Makayla is the returning NSIC Newcomer of the year. Makayla broke NSIC record in 60m and Long Jump as a freshmen where she went on to win two conference titles and runner up in the 200m. Makayla qualified in three events for the NCAA Indoor Championships (60m, 200m, Long Jump).

Head Coach Mike Turgeon

Khadiya Hollingsworth (High Jump, Sr., Brookfield, Wis. / Brookfield East HS) - Minnesota State University, Mankato

Two-time NSIC Indoor High Jump Champion
2018 NCAA DII National Champion in high jump at outdoor championships
Set an MSU record at 6-0.5 during that outdoor championship

Khadiya is two time NSIC Indoor Champion in the high jump and 2018 Outdoor National Champion jumping 6-0.5.

Head Coach Mike Turgeon

MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY MOORHEAD

The MSUM women’s indoor track and field team will be led by seniors Rachel Schumacher and Anna St. Catherine. Schumacher, a transfer from Minnesota State, was a three-time All-NSIC honoree in the high jump and also was a national qualifier in the event. St. Catherine is a two-time All-NSIC honoree in the pole vault. Junior Anna Steadland will look to be a factor in the sprints while sophomore Lakyla Yazzie will be a factor in the distance events. The Dragons also have 12 freshmen looking to make an immediate contribution this season as well.

Our returners have done great work to bring along a talented group of freshman in preparation for the 2021 indoor season. I’m excited for this group to have the opportunity to compete. Once we’re able to get on the track I anticipate the we show significant competitiveness as a team.

Head Coach Ryan Milner

Anna Steadland (Sprints, So., Andover, Minn. / Andover HS) - Minnesota State University Moorhead

Top returning sprinter for MSUM women
Was part of 4 x 400 relay that finished 8th at NSIC Indoor
Had four top three finishes a year ago

Anna possesses an exceptional work ethic and a competitive drive that elevates our program. If there’s a silver-lining to the pandemic for our team, it’s that she’s be able to spend more time with us on the track this Fall. Her training has been exceptional and she’s poised for a breakout season.

Head Coach Ryan Milner

Rachel Schumacher (High Jump, Sr., Bismarck, N.D. / Bismarck HS) - Minnesota State University Moorhead

National qualifier in high jump
Three-time All-NSIC in high jump
Career best of 5-7.5 in high jump

Rachel has had such a positive impact our program, I’m excited for her to finally have the opportunity to compete in Dragon uniform. She’s been a multi-time All-NSIC performer, a qualifier for the NCAA National Championships, and has been putting in the necessary work to compete at that level again.

Head Coach Ryan Milner

MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY

After signing the largest class in the tenure of Head Coach Mark Del Monaco with 29 signees in July of 2020, the Beavers return a talented and deep roster to the track for the 2021 Track and Field season.

On the women’s side of the track, multiple record-holders return to a stacked team including sophomore Whitney Hanson who notched DII records in cross-country and track in field in 2019-20.

Hanson posted to the third-fastest time in the mile (5:15.50), set the school record in the 600m (1:38.81), and a school record in the 800m (2:18.06) in Beavers division II recorded history. She was named All-Conference in cross-country, marking the only one in program history (male or female). Hanson was a NSIC medalist in the DMR.

Junior Lauren Reeves also had a banner year in 2019-20, notching the fourth-fastest time in the mile (5:20.43) in program history, the ninth-fastest time in the 1000 meters (3:23.76). She has the third-fastest time in the 3,000m, and fourth-fastest time in the mile in the DII era.

Talented newcomers that Head Coach Mark Del Monaco believes will have an immediate impact are: Linda Perez (Fy., Mader, Calif.); Ashley Miller (Jr., Indian Hills CC); Tori Nygard (Fy., Wolf Point, Mont.); Peyton Lammerding (Fy. Arlee, Mont.)

The Beavers have been preparing with excitement for the upcoming season and are ready for the challenges that lie ahead. In a year full of uncertainty, the MSU women’s track & field team have made its work ethic a consistency with the goal of climbing to the top of the NSIC in 2021.

This is the largest our women's track & field team has been since I have arrived so I finally feel as though we have the depth to compete and compete well in numerous events in the conference. Our women's distance squad had a fantastic fall campaign despite it being untraditional with competitions being canceled. Both our sprints and throws groups have been preparing everyday this Fall and are itching to get out and get back to competition.

Head Coach Mark Del Monaco

Abby McGee (Mile, Sr., Butte, Mont. / Butte Central Catholic) - Minot State University

In 2020, set program DII record in the 1000m (3:04.84)
In 2020, set program DII record in the mile (5:06.97)
In 2020, recorded fourth-fastest time 800m time in program history (2:20.99)

Abby has done a fantastic job leading our women's squad the last two indoor seasons. She had a breakout 2019-2020 indoor season breaking our D2 era school records in the mile and 1K along with finishing on the podium twice at the NSIC Championships. I am excited to see where this season takes her as she had a fantastic fall campaign.

Head Coach Mark Del Monaco

Breanna Johns-Oster (Shot Put / Weight Throw, R-Fr., Great Falls, Mont. / Charles M. Russell HS) - Minot State University

Red-shirted during the 2019-20 season
Named 2018 and 2019 Outstanding Female Thrower at Charles M. Russell High School in Black Eagle, Mont.
2019 Divisional Champion, 2018 Third-Place Montana State thrower, and 2019 Third Place Montana State thrower.
A dual sport athlete in high school that helped lead her high school girls basketball team to third place in the division in 2018.

Breanna redshirted the 2019-2020 indoor season but that not stopped her from putting in the work to get ready for this indoor season. She has continued to grow as a thrower and has looked very good throughout our fall pre-season training. We feel that her first year of competition is going to be a good one.

Head Coach Mark Del Monaco

NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY

The Northern State women’s track and field team took ninth at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2020. Shanice Burrell, Dakota Hutzler, and Kealy Hill tallied all-conference honors for the Wolves, while Hill won the first NSIC Championship of her career. Hill qualified for the NCAA Championship with her school record pole vault mark of 4.01m. In addition, Hutzler broke the school record in the pentathlon (3,400). The Wolves women return 23 student-athletes from the 2019-20 roster and welcome ten incoming freshman and transfers.

"Our ladies team has a lot of fresh, new talent this year. They will be big difference makers for our team. The ladies cannot wait to get back on the track to compete.

Head Coach Lynne Dingman

Shanice Burrell (60m Hurdles, Sr., Buff Bay, Jamaica / Buff Bay HS) - Northern State University

Took third in the 60m hurdles at the NSIC Indoor Championships, earning all-conference accolades
Tallied indoor personal bests in the 55m and 55m hurdles during the season

Shanice has been able to put in a ton of work this fall. She is extremely focused and in phenomenal shape coming into the indoor season.

Head Coach Lynne Dingman

Dakota Hutzler (Multis, Sr., Rio, Wis. / Rio HS) - Northern State University

Took third in the pentathlon at the NSIC Indoor Championships, earning all-conference honors
Broke the Northern State school record in the pentathlon with 3,400 points
Added personal bests in the 55m and 55m hurdles during the year

Dakota is an athlete with amazing perseverance. She competed last year with a torn meniscus. She is finally healthy and in the best shape of her life. Can’t wait to see what she can do on the track.

Head Coach Lynne Dingman

UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS

The University of Sioux Falls Women’s Indoor Track and Field Squad will be led by a pair of All-Americans in NSIC Athlete to Watch KaNya Henderson and senior thrower Emma Hertz as the Cougars look to better the seventh place projection of the 2020-21 NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll. Henderson, a two-time Academic All-NSIC performer from Utica, Miss., was All-American in 2020 after registering a school record 7.55 in the 60- meter prelims (fourth overall) at the NSIC Championships a year ago. USF should be strong in the throws with the return of Hertz of Sioux Falls, S.D., who earned her second All-American honor a year ago and had a best of 14.75 meters (48-4 ¾) in the shot put. Hertz, who has 25 top-3 finishes and 13 career titles, also earned second team NCAA DII Indoor All-American honors in 2018-19. She is joined in the throws by Kayla Anderson. The Cougars will also look to senior Emily Olson, who finished a personal-best fifth (3,157 points) in the pentathlon at the NSIC Indoor Championships a year ago. Another student-athlete who will be a key contributor indoor is Carolyn Bradley, a two-time Academic All-NSIC performer who was eighth in the pole vault at the NSIC indoors a year ago. She has won three individual pole vault titles. USF will also look for strong performances from sprinters Mercy Oyadare and sophomore Jailiah Brice-Moore, who will add strength in the 60-meter hurdles, 60-meter dash and relays. Oyadare, a four-time Academic All-NSIC honoree, has 31 career top-eight finishes. She was part of USF’s 6th place DMR a year ago at the NSIC Meet and contributor in 3 top-time all-time performances at USF.

Our women have not competed since last indoor season and have dedicated themselves to putting in the off season work needed to be successful. It will be fun to finally see our women back in action and competing against other teams.

Head Coach Doug Petersen

KaNya Henderson (Sprints, Jr., Utica, Miss. / Clinton Christian Academy) - University of Sioux Falls

Earned All-American honors in the 60-meter dash at the NCAA DII Championships
Has won three titles with 12 top-3 finishes overall
Two-time Academic All-NSIC,
Owns USF’s record in the 60-meters after clocking a 7.55 in the NSIC Championships prelims before finishing fourth in the finals
Placed second in short sprints three times and third six other times

KaNya is the USF school record holder indoors in the 60m dash and 200m dash. She is a place winner in the 60m at the Indoor Conference Meet. KaNya was a NCAA D2 indoor national qualifier in 2020 in the 60 meter dash ranking 12th to earn All-American Honors.

Head Coach Doug Petersen

Emma Hertz (Throws, Jr., Sioux Falls, S.D. / O’Gorman HS) - University of Sioux Falls

Two-time All-American in the throws, who has broken four school records
Recorded 25 top-3 finishes and 13 career titles, also earned second team NCAA DII Indoor All-American honors in 2018-19
Recorded nine top-eight finishes, with one title, and three top-three finishes in 2019-20, qualified for DII Championships and was named USTFCCA All-American for a second time
At the NSIC Indoors, placed fifth in the shot put (14.00M/45-11.25) in the shot put and seventh (17.82M/58-5.75) in the weight throw

Emma has placed numerous times in the NSIC Conference meets. She is the school record holder in the Shot Put as well as one of the top 10 for USF in the Weight Throw. Emma qualified for Indoor Nationals the past two years earning All-American Honors both years.

Head Coach Doug Petersen

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

The Southwest Minnesota State women’s indoor track & field team, under the direction of second-year head coach Kirk Nauman, enters the 2021 indoor season with a strong mix of veteran leadership and a strong core of underclassmen and newcomers ready to push the Mustangs higher up the final standings at the NSIC Championship.

Senior Rebecca Manteuffel is one of the team’s top returners after earning All-NSIC honors and qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships last season in the weight throw. Manteuffel placed third at the NSIC championships with a toss of 18.45m in the weight throw and also placed eighth in the shot put at 13.56m.

Sophomore Isatu Shirek also returns after a strong rookie season in 2020, which included a 12th place finish in the 60 meter hurdles.

We have the opportunity to break a number of records this indoor season with returners and newcomers. I see us making progress from last year.

Head Coach Kirk Nauman

Caitlyn Regan (Mid-Distance, Jr., Wondonga, Victoria; Australia / Wondonga Senior Secondary College) - Southwest Minnesota State University

Transfer from North Iowa Area Community College
Competed at the 2018 NJCAA Division I national cross country meet
Also a member of the SMSU cross country team

Caitlyn has been a great addition to the team. She brings NJCAA National Meet experience and has nice range as an athlete.

Head Coach Kirk Nauman

Rebecca Manteuffel (Throws, Jr., Cologne, Minn. / Mayer Lutheran) - Southwest Minnesota State University

2020 NCAA All-American in the weight throw
Earned All-NSIC honors placing third in the weight throw at 18.45m at the NSIC Championships
Named USTFCCCA All-Region in the weight throw
Placed eighth at the NSIC Championship in the shot put at 13.56m

Becky is the complete athlete. She puts in the work and it shows. She does everything at a high level in and out of the circle.

Head Coach Kirk Nauman

ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY

The St. Cloud State women’s track and field team looks to continue its upward projection in the NSIC standings, as the team hopes to improve on its seventh place finish at the Indoor Track and Field Championships one year ago. Fueled by record breaking performances, the Huskies will be led by sprinter Emelia Burris (Wooddale, Ill. / Fenton) and multi specialist Faith Lubner (Reedsville, Wis. / Reedsville) in 2020-21. Already a two-time All-Conference honoree, Burris looks to end her St. Cloud State career on a high note, having finished third place in long jump at the Indoor Championships in 2019-20. Lubner also looks to add more to her trophy case after missing much of the 2019-20 indoor season due to injury. Like Burris, Lubner is a two-time All-Conference honoree, having finished in the top-3 in the 2018-19 Pentathlon (Indoor) and Heptathlon (Outdoor) competitions.

This year's team has a lot of talent and has shown that through out training this fall and winter. With everything going on, they have managed to stay focused and motivated during practices. This is testament to them and who they are as athletes and people. The work ethic and mindset they have consistently shown sets them up well for competition and as a coach I am both excited and thankful to be a part of it.

Head Coach Sam Kettenhofen

Emelia Burris (60m, 200m, Long Jump) Sr., Fenton, Ill. / Wood Dale HS) - St. Cloud State University

2x All-Conference honoree in long jump (2019 - outdoor; 2020-indoor)
Placed third in the event at the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships in 2020
2020 Spring Academic All-Conference honoree
Three-year qualifier for the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships; top-8 finisher in 60m dash, 200m dash and long jump throughout her career
Indoor career bests: 60m (7.69), 200m (25.32), long jump (5.68m)

Emmy has continued to develop her skills in the sprints and jumps. She is a multiple time finalist in each of her events and continues to achieve great things on the track. With her continued progress in training, I am looking forward to seeing her compete and improve.

Head Coach Sam Kettenhofen

Faith Lubner (Pentathlon, Long Jump, 60m Hurdles, Sr., Reedsville, Wis. / Reedsville HS) - St. Cloud State University

2x All-Conference honoree (2019 - Pentathlon; 2019 - Heptathlon)
Placed third in Pentathlon at the 2019 Indoor Track and Field championship
3x Academic All-Conference honoree
Three-year qualifier for the NSIC Indoor Track and Field Championships; top-8 finisher in pentathlon, 60m hurdles and long jump
Indoor career bests: 60m hurdles (8.86), 800m run (2:29.62), high jump (1.57m), long jump (5.50m), shot put (8.99m), pentathlon (3377)

Faith has shown a new level of focus in training this year. She approaches each day as an opportunity to get better and throughout training has seen a number of improvements in her events. Based on practice performances and her dedication to compete at a high level, I am very excited to see her compete this season.

Head Coach Sam Kettenhofen

UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY

Upper Iowa’s women’s indoor track and field team is looking forward to getting back into action in the New Year. The Peacocks placed 13th last season at the NSIC Championships led by senior Brinn Grunder’s individual title in the shot put and NSIC Athlete to Watch Cassiddy Wilson’s fifth place finish in the 600 meters. Wilson also ran as part of the 4x400 meter relay team that placed 11th at the Championships. Wilson holds the program’s record for the 600, which she set in the preliminary heat at the Championships in Mankato, Minn. UIU’s second NSIC Athlete to Watch this season is junior Brittiney Harris. Harris, a multi-specialist, did not compete due to injury last season, but is primed to get back on the track this year. In addition to Wilson and Harris, the Peacocks have quite a few returners back to lead the campaign including Madison Brownrigg, Serianna Dehmlow, Ashley Donovan, Ellie Loesch, Jade Martin, Jenna Ross, Sidney Schnor and Christonna Shafranski. Head Coach Nate Rucker, who is entering his ninth season at UIU and sixth as head track and field coach, continues to build the schedule in advance of the NSIC Championships scheduled for the end of February.

We have a good mix of newcomers and veterans that will combine into another solid group for us. We will look to continue building on past seasons’ successes.

Head Coach Nate Rucker

Cassiddy Wilson (Mid-Distance/Sprints/Hurdles, Sr., Delhi, Iowa / Maquoketa Valley HS) - Upper Iowa University

Placed fifth in the 600-meter race at the 2020 NSIC Championships
Set the UIU record for the 600-meter at 1:36.08 during the prelim heat at the NSIC Championships in 2020
Placed fourth in the 600-meter race at the 2019 NSIC Championships
Placed eighth as a member of the 4x400-meter race at the 2019 Championships

Cassiddy is a strong leader and the All-NSIC performer is ready to get back into the lanes for her senior season. She will lead our women's program to an improved finish in the conference standings this indoor season.

Head Coach Nate Rucker

Brittiney Harris (Jumps/Mulits, Jr., Fort Madison, Iowa / Fort Madison HS) - Upper Iowa University

Missed last indoor season due to injury
Played volleyball at Kirkwood Community College for two years
At Fort Madison Senior High School, earned 12 letters after four years of varsity action in track, volleyball and basketball

Brittiney has shown tremendous growth as a jumps/multi's specialist for us. She is looking to have a strong year after missing last indoor season due to injury.

Head Coach Nate Rucker

WAYNE STATE COLLEGE

Throws are expected to be the strength again this season for the Wayne State College women’s indoor track and field team under 21st year head coach Marlon Brink. Junior Mckenzie Scheil is the reigning NSIC indoor champion in the weight throw and is a two-time national qualifier in the event. She also earned All-NSIC honors last year with a third place finish in the shot put. Back for the Wildcats this season is redshirt junior Jadin Wagner, a 2019 NCAA national qualifier in the shot put who was third in the shot put two seasons ago. Another key returner is sophomore Brooklyn Chipps, who redshirted last season after placing sixth in the weight throw and eighth in the shot put as a true freshman in 2019. Seniors Kenzie Sullivan and Sarah Stang and sophomores Nicole Heeren and Kendra Paasch round out an experience group of returning Wildcat throwers. The other returning point scorer for the Wildcats is junior Ali Dykman, who was seventh in the high jump last season. The top returning runner for the Wildcats is junior sprinter Jordyn Pester, who was fourth in the 400-meter dash as a freshman in 2019.

We have a very solid group of throwers who will be very competitive and should be able to score some big points for our team. We had a good recruiting class of athletes and bring in several talented individuals to help make us more competitive across the board. They may lack NSIC level experience, but hopefully their athletic ability will allow them to compete well for us right away.

Head Coach Marlon Brink

Jordyn Pester (Sprints, Jr., Charter Oak, Iowa / MVAOCOU HS ) - Wayne State College

Placed 4th in 400-meter dash as freshman in 2019
Also ran leg on 7th-place 1600 meter relay team in 2019
Finished 12th last year in 400-meter dash (59.75)

Jordyn has been our top sprinter the past two years and returns this year to earn a spot in the finals of the NSIC Championships 400 meter dash. She placed 4th in the event both indoors and outdoors as a freshman. She is looking forward to another competitive season.

Head Coach Marlon Brink

McKenzie Scheil (Throws, Jr., Fairmont, Neb. / Fillmore Central HS) - Wayne State College

Defending NSIC champion in weight throw
Two-time NCAA national qualifier in weight throw
All-NSIC with second place finish in weight throw in 2019 (freshman)

McKenzie is back to defend her conference championship in the weight throw. She was also NSIC-All-Conference with a 3rd place finish in the shot put. McKenzie was an NCAA Indoor National Meet qualifier last year and was in position to claim another All-American award before the NCAA Championships were canceled. She is motivated to get back to the NCAA Championships again and earn another All-American award to go with her All-American honors in 2019 Outdoors in the hammer throw.

Head Coach Marlon Brink

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Winona State scored 50 points to take fourth at the NSIC Indoor Championships last season, including eight top-five finishes in the meet. They return all but two of the athletes that scored points in the 2020 NSIC Indoor Championships, including all those that scored points in the sprint events. The team brings in a small freshman class, but that group should have an impact right away.

In a time where things change daily and there are challenges at every turn, it has been amazing to see the commitment, attitude and work ethic of this team these past months. We've had an incredibly productive fall training season.

Head Coach Mason Rebarchek

Brooklyn Schyvinck (Sprints, Jr., Reedsburg, Wis. / Reedsburg HS) - Winona State University

Placed third at 2020 NSIC Indoor Championships in the 400m with a time of 56.68
Earned All-NSIC honors in the 400m & 4X400 relay
2019 Indoor First Team All-American (4x400)
2019 Indoor All-Conference (400m)

After placing in the 400m and 200m as well as anchoring the Winona State 4x400 meter relay to a 2nd place finish at the NSIC Indoor Championships and a berth in the NCAA Championships, Brooklyn has used the past 9 months to make sure she is ready to pick up where she left off last March.

Head Coach Mason Rebarchek

Madison Rizner (Jumps, Jr., Richland Center, Wis. / Richland Center HS) - Winona State University

In the 2019 Indoor season, registered a triple jump mark of 11.18m
Had a season-best high jump of 1.60m, placing her 10th in the NSIC Championships in 2019 outdoor season
Hit a season-best triple jump mark of 11.49

Madison was poised to have a career meet at the NSIC Championships last February until an illness sidelined her for the weekend. She returned to campus this fall and has looked every bit as good as when the season ended last winter. A two-sport athlete (Volleyball & Track & Field) Madison was, of course, disappointed in the loss of the Volleyball season this fall, but the extra time she has had with Track & Field these past few months has paid major dividends. We expect that Madison could have a breakout year in the High Jump and Triple Jump this winter.

Head Coach Mason Rebarchek

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