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UPCOMING SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, APRIL 3
No Collegian Report (Easter Recess)
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
4 p.m. — ApoloJacks (90.7 FM)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8
No Collegian (Easter Recess)
4 p.m. — The Variety (90.7 FM)
6 p.m. — Dakota DeBruin (90.7 FM)
8 p.m. — The Collegian Report Episode 9 (YouTube)
THURSDAY, APRIL 9
3 p.m. — Sierra Singer (90.7 FM)
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
3 p.m. — ApoloJacks (90.7 FM)
No Collegian Report (Midwest Journalism Conference)
MORE AT SDSUCOLLEGIAN.COM
DASCHLE DIALOGUES
A Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian will speak at SDSU as part of the Daschle Dialogues on Tuesday, April 7, and one of the organizers of the event says the timing is just right.
Jon Meacham is a distinguished visiting professor at Vanderbilt University. He will speak beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 7 at First Bank & Trust Arena.
“With everything that’s happening in politics these days with the (Trump) administration and everything happening in D.C., (it’s) very relevant for (Meacham) to talk about what we’re experiencing,” said Steve Erpenbach, president and CEO of the SDSU Alumni & Foundation and one of the event’s organizers.
ONLINE THIS WEEK
POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME LOG
The daily crime log is a document prepared by the SDSU Police Department that provides details on calls they have taken over the past week. The crime log is sent to Collegian Media for publication every Monday.
MONDAY, MARCH 23
• 1:13 p.m. — Lost property was reported. No specific locaiton was provided. The incident was documented.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25
• 3:13 p.m. — A nuisance or noise complaint was reported at Hyde Hall. The case is closed and resolved.
THURSDAY, MARCH 26
• 5:11 p.m. — Lost property was reported on campus. The incident was documented.
• 11:14 p.m. — An incident involving a fictitious or false ID, involving the possession of a revoked, altered, or fictitious license, was reported at Brown Hall. The incident was cleared by arrest or citation.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
• 9:30 a.m. — A miscellaneous incident was reported at SDMT. The case is pending.
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
• 1:18 a.m. — A suspicious person or vehicle was reported at Hyde Hall. The incident was documented.
• 1:49 a.m. — A first-offense DUI was reported at 1500 8th St. The report also cited failure to stop at a stop sign, possession of a fictitious license, underage purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages, and an open container in a motor vehicle. The incident was cleared by arrest or citation.
• 2:40 a.m. — Intentional damage and vandalism were reported at Young Hall. The incident was documented.
• 6:11 p.m. — Underage purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages was reported at 8th Street and 7th Avenue. The incident was cleared by arrest or citation.
• 7:37 p.m. — Underage purchase or possession of alcoholic beverages was reported at 8th Street and 8th Avenue. The incident was cleared by arrest or citation.
Photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Jon Meacham, pictured here, is considered one of America’s foremost public intellectuals. He will speak beginning at 6:30 p.m. on April 7 at First Bank & Trust Arena.
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Senate recommends new age-restricted event rules
WILLEM LIM Reporter
The Students’ Association (SA) senators spent most of Monday night’s meeting discussing and amending a resolution that recommends that all 18+ events not be held in the Student Union.
Some senators argued that events geared toward adults should be held in spaces like the Performing Arts Center, rather than the Volstorff Ballroom or The Market in the Union.
The resolution called for “the use of controlled-access venues for events requiring age-restricted entry or enhanced access management” according to the document on the agenda.
Before discussion on the resolution was allowed between senators, SA adviser Michaela Willis, who is the vice president for student affairs & enrollment management, said the way the resolution was first written would have “conflict(ed) with SDSU and SDBOR policy, and state and federal law.”
Before the amendment, the 18+ events that Resolution 25-8-R specifically listed were drag performances, comedy shows, film screenings and guest speakers. Willis said this conflicts with the requirement that SDSU facilities must have content-neutral access for student organizations, regardless of differing beliefs.
Since the resolution violated different laws and policies, an amendment was already made, but Sen. Bollweg wanted to propose it later in the meeting to practice having “healthy discussion” which launched the senators’ discussion about the original proposal.
Sen. Regan Bollweg and Sen. Dominic Delahoyde were the prime sponsors of the resolution. They originally made it when people came up to them with concerns of seeing inappropriate things in the Student Union, Delahoyde said.
One complaint they received was from someone who saw a comedian performing in The Market area of the Student Union telling inappropriate jokes and telling somebody to “jump off the balcony.”
To further explain the resolution’s reasoning, Sen. Delahoyde brought up his experience touring with families while working for the SDSU admissions office.
“Anything they see, anything that they’re hearing on campus and stuff, it has an impact,” Delahoyde said. He added that the negative impact from that is if
the family decides to not choose SDSU.
Sen. Jacklyn Mollison spoke up against the resolution.
In response to the original resolution, Sen. Mollison said, “This is kind of putting a bandaid on an issue that doesn’t exist.”
She also mentioned how SDSU is having a decline in student engagement, and that this resolution would end up hindering engagement more.
When discussion was over, Sen. Bollweg proposed the resolution’s amendment, where he re-worded it with the laws and policies in mind.
The resolution passed after the amendment in a 13-4 vote, with one senator abstaining.
After the resolution was amended, Sen. Ben Anderson said the below statement was addressed to the university, the community and the students at SDSU:
“The Students’ Association is listening to what they are asking for, and we’re affirming their wishes with this resolution,” Anderson said.
IN OTHER NEWS
Willis announced that Melioria Public Safety Consulting will be conducting a review of SDSU’s public safety (UPD) and will also be providing search services for the next UPD chief.
Melioria Public Safety Consulting will also conduct a focus group on safety and security operations at the university. The focus group will meet on Thursday, April 9 the Union Dakota room 250. All students are welcome to provide feedback, Willis said.
“This review and the campus feedback will help to inform their report,” Willis said. “In turn, this process will provide continued support to the division of safety and security, strengthen our safety protocols at SDSU and help SDSU select a chief of police.”
Michelle Johnson, the Title IX Coordinator for SDSU, talked to the senate about the different campaigns and projects her office rolled out this year to spread awareness on sexual assault, discrimination and how to report to Title IX.
Tayler Franz and Allison Van Nurden represented Jacks Classic, originally under SDSU Swine Club, and also addressed the Senate to get its constitution approved.
SA approved Jacks Classic’s constitution unanimously.
ISABELLE PERSONS / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
A representative from Jacks Classic’s addressed the Senate on Monday, March 30, 2026. Their constitution was approved as well.
70th Jackrabbit Stampede set for April 10-11
The South Dakota State University Rodeo Club will host the 70th annual Jackrabbit Stampede and the “Buckles and Bling” banquet from April 9 to 11.
The weekend begins Thursday, April 9, with the banquet at Club 71 in Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. This public fundraiser includes a buffet, auctions, scholarship presentations, and senior recognition to support team travel and expenses.
The Jackrabbit Stampede follows at the Dacotah Bank Center, featuring more than 300 contestants from 16 regional teams. SDSU will field the largest contingent with 38 competitors. Performance sessions are scheduled for Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, April 11, at 1 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the rodeo are available through the Dacotah Bank Center website, while banquet RSVPs and additional event details can be found on the SDSU Rodeo Club Facebook page.
— Collegian Media News
SA
looking for new executive team applicants
Newly elected Students’ Association President Sophie Spier and Vice President Megan Christoffels are seeking candidates for five executive positions for the upcoming 2025-26 term.
Applications are currently being accepted through April 7 at 5 p.m. for the roles of Chief of Staff, Finance Chair, Government Affairs Chair, Communications Chair and Diversity Liaison.
Following the application deadline, the executive team will conduct interviews from April 7 through April 12.
Candidates are encouraged to apply via the online application link before the Monday deadline.
For more information or specific questions regarding the executive roles, students may contact Spier at SDSU.SAPresident@SDState.edu.
— Collegian Media News
SA looking for ‘Campus Partner of the Year’
The SDSU Students’ Association’s campus partner of the year award nominations are open from now until April 3.
SA recognizes an outstanding faculty academic adviser, professional academic adviser, student organization adviser and campus partner of the year. SA is looking for individuals that are “committed to service, excellence and most of all, Jackrabbits,” according to the Rabbit Report email sent out by SA on Monday.
To nominate someone for campus partner of the year, you can scan this QR code and fill out the applicaiton. Nominations close Friday, April 3 and the award will be presented Monday, April 13.
SA’s board of directors will determine which nominee will be awarded each award after nominations are received. The awards will be presented at the final SA meeting of the year. — Collegian Media News
Photo courtesy of UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
The 70th annual Jackrabbit Stampede rodeo and banguet will take place April 9-11 in Brookings. The banquet will kick off the weekend at Club 71 while rodeo performances will take place on Friday and Saturday at the Dacotah Bank Center.
LITTLE I ‘VERY SUCCESSFUL’
AVERY ZEISLER Reporter
Over 500 guests attended the 103rd Little International on Friday and Saturday.
The Animal Science Arena was full of people supporting staff members and the SDSU students who were showing their animals.
Brandon Gengler, 103rd assistant manager, said they had 157 staff members who came together and put on a very successful show. They also had over 200 students who exhibited animals.
Gengler will be the 104th Little I Manager.
“I am looking forward to many different things next year, but most of all, I am excited for the memories that will be made along the journey. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such amazing individuals, and I am eager to see where this experience takes us,” Gengler said.
Little I has two categories for exhibitors, novice and experienced. Novice exhibitors are students who have never shown that particular species before. For example, a student who has shown cattle their whole life but has never shown a pig would be considered a novice if they decide to show a pig. Experienced exhibitors, on the other hand, are students who have shown that species before and already know many of the techniques needed to be successful.
Gengler said it’s exciting to see these students grow as many of the exhibitors were novices, but with guidance from experienced exhibitors, they learned the “tricks of the trade” and developed their skills.
There were 190 animals shown this weekend. The species included beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep, goats and pigs. Exhibitors competed in a fitting contest as well as showmanship over the weekend.
SCAN HERE FOR ALL RESULTS
HIGH POINT AWARDS
Freshman: Josie Nold
Upperclassman: Drew Pederson
ROUND ROBIN
Grand: Peyton Munroe Reserve: Josie Nold
LAMB LEAD
1st place: Lilli Steeke representing Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Club
2nd place: Jessica Joens representing Bison Club
3rd place: Emma Heine representing Block and Bridle
4th place: Josie Nold representing Country Swing Dance Club
5th place: Taylor Franz representing Swine Club
6th place: Tyler Siira representing Dairy Club
AVERY ZEISLER / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
TOP: Contestants show off thier pigs to the judge during the swine show in the Animal Science Arena on Saturday, March 28. BOTTOM: A contestant participating in the 103rd Little International shows their dairy cow during the round-robin portion of the show.
PUB CRAWL JAIL INTAKES SURPASS HOBO DAY’S
According to a Facebook post from the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, jail intakes during last weekend’s Pub Crawl event exceeded the 2025 Hobo Day’s intakes at 28.
The Detention Center recorded 32 total intakes from Friday, March 27 at 5 p.m. through Sunday, March 29 at 6 a.m., 24 of which occurred during the main Pub Crawl event during the day on Saturday.
Last year’s Pub Crawl recorded 17 total intakes.
According to the Facebook post, all listed charges are class one misdemeanors or higher. This total does not include citations issued for class two misdemeanors, such as underage consumption of alcohol.
Agencies contributing to these arrests include the Brookings Police Department, Brookings County Sheriff’s Office and the South Dakota State University Police Department.
COLLEGIAN PHOTOS BY OWEN BOYD
This year’s Pub Crawl event was on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in downtown Brookings. During the event, some bars open in the morning and serve breakfast foods.
2026 PUB CRAWL JAIL INTAKES
Assault: 3
Eluding: 1
DUI: 6
Felony DUI: 1
Fictitious/False
Identification: 18
Drug Offense: 1
Entering or Remaining in a Building: 2
PROTEST GATHERS OVER 400
OWEN BOYD Reporter
On Saturday, March 28, over 400 people made an appearance at Hillcrest Park for Brookings’ third No Kings Rally to protest against the current presidential administration.
The Brookings Area Indivisible (BAI) group organized the rally and said that a minimum of 400 people joined the protest. BAI leaders added that it was the largest one they have hosted. This protest was one of many that took place on Saturday throughout the country, drawing in millions of protesters nationwide.
People of all ages and backgrounds came together to gather at Hillcrest Park at 1 p.m. carrying signs with messages such as “Democracy Requires Participation” and “Congress Do Something.”
Community leaders spoke at the protest, including Brookings Mayor Ope Niemeyer and Rev. Mark Johnson of the Brookings United Church of Christ.
In Niemeyer’s speech, he referenced recent actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Democracy works best when it includes more voices, not fewer,” Niemeyer said in protest to the current situation with ICE. “And even if we don’t all agree, that’s the heart of a healthy democracy, it’s not about uniformity; it’s about unity.”
Rev. Johnson also spoke at the
protest, giving his thoughts on a multitude of topics including the war in Iran, the handling of ICE and on President Trump himself.
“It’s clear that the President is seeking power over Iran, along with several other countries, in an effort to control the resources and to boost his own ego as king of the world,” Johnson
said.
land
When personally interviewed, Rev. Johnson said, “People are being arrested, detained, simply because of their accent or the color of their skin. They wanted to create a land that was truly a land of liberty and justice for all, and that’s why we’re standing up.”
Brookings
Sgt. Larson of the Brookings Police Department was at the protest as security to ensure the safety of the protesters, potential counter-protesters and any other people at the park.
“We take special event training that goes
through constitutional rights, constitutional authorities; But essentially it’s just training how to handle these events and work with the organizers and make sure it’s safe for everyone,” Larson said.
There were no counterprotests on Saturday. However, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any pushback. People driving by shouted obscenities at protesters.
“It’s honestly so disgusting that people will act like that,” said speaker Bob Burns, a distinguished professor emeritus of political science and dean emeritus of the Honors College.
One of the many similarities in each of the speaker’s messages was the importance of going out and voting, as even a single vote can change everything.
“Register to vote, or help someone else do it,” Niemeyer said.
Both Rev. Johnson and Niemeyer said that they wish to see more people help out in
ways.
“Reach out to a local official with a question or an idea. Volunteer for a cause you care about,” Niemeyer said.
different
One protestor addresses the No Kings Rally crowd.
One protestor wears a sweatshirt to support the No Kings Rally.
A protestor at the No Kings Rally displays their handmade sign.
A protester holds up the American flag at the No Kings Rally in Brookings, S.D., on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
34th Annual Wetu Wacipi
INDIGENOUS
ART & FASHION
PHIA STRONGHEART-LOPEZ / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
PHIA STRONGHEART-LOPEZ / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Marisa Hare (Left) and Alejandra Juarez (Right) hold up the Indigenous Art and Fashion sign during the first Grand Entry at the 34th Annual AISA Wetu Wacipi, Saturday, March 28, 2026. The American Indian Student Association held their 34th Annual Wetu Wacipi March 28 and 29, 2026.
Mato Pejuta returns as the Host Drum for the 34th Annual AISA Wetu Wacipi held in the SDSU Student Union Volstorff Ballroom, March 28, 2026
PHIA STRONGHEART-LOPEZ / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
PHIA STRONGHEART-LOPEZ / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Marilyn Allen models Kyrie Dunkley’s Design at the Indigenous Fashion Show held during the Wetu Wacipi in the SDSU Student Union Volstorff Ballroom, March 28, 2026. During the SDSU American Indian Student Association’s 34th Annual Wetu Wacipi, an Indigenous fashion show was held, coordinated by the South Dakota Art Museum Wokini Fellow Alejandra Juarez, featuring the designers, Kyrie Dunkley, James Star Comes Out, and Harmony Star Straub.
Shi’Ale Whipple, a Tiny Tot Traditional Dancer, blows bubbles at the SDSU AISA Wetu Wacipi, March 28, 2026. The SDSU American Indian Student Association held their 34th Annual Wetu Wacipi in the Student Union Voltsorff Ballroom over the March 28-29 weekend
Softball sweeps in home opener
CORDELL VITENSE
Sports Editor
The Jackrabbit softball team had their home opener on Saturday, March 28, against the UND Fighting Hawks.
This was the first game in a threegame series over three days in which the Jacks went 3-0 and improved their conference record to 5-1 and their overall record to 20-20.
GAME ONE
In the first game of the series, the Jacks got a 14-6 win in five innings.
After holding UND scoreless in the top of the first, the Jacks opened the scoring in the bottom of the inning when sophomore Amanda Vacanti hit an RBI double.
The next at bat, junior Akayla Barnard sent Vacanti home with an RBI double of her own.
Senior Emma Christensen tripled to right center a few at-bats later and pushed the lead to 4-0.
Ella Berlage then got Christensen across home plate with a groundout RBI, which was the last score of the inning, putting SDSU up 5-0 after one.
In the top of the second, UND responded with four runs to cut the lead to just one run.
Freshman Bria Riebel was the first Jack to step up to the plate in the second inning and she made it known by hitting a solo home run to extend the lead.
This was the first of four runs in the inning, extending the Jackrabbit lead to 9-4.
The Jacks and Hawks broke even in the third inning with both teams putting two runs on the board.
The then Jacks pulled away, scoring one run in the fourth and two in the fifth while holding UND scoreless to get a 14-6 win.
Senior Madi Mangulis got the start on the mound and got through three innings, allowing eight hits and securing two strikeouts.
Sophomore Taler Baker closed the
game, pitching the final two innings, allowing one hit and striking out one.
GAME TWO
The second game of the series was all Jackrabbits as they got a dominant 8-0 win.
In the bottom of the first, Vacanti put the Jacks on the board with an RBI double that allowed Riebel to score from first base.
This was the only score of the inning for the Jacks. The Jacks’ offense continued the dry spell in the second but in the third, SDSU found their groove, scoring three runs to put the Jacks up 4-0.
The Jacks went scoreless in the fourth, but in the fifth, Riebel made sure that didn’t happen again, hitting a two-run shot to go up 6-0.
The last at bat of the game was grad student Alli Boyle, hitting a two-run RBI double to give the Jacks an 8-0 win and move to 2-0 in the series.
Barnard earned the win for the Jacks, pitching all five innings and allowing
just two hits on 17 at-bats while striking out three hitters.
GAME THREE
In game three, it was a much lower-scoring affair with the Jacks winning 4-1.
The first three innings of the game didn’t see a single score, but in the top of the fourth, the Hawks got on the board, taking a 1-0 lead.
The Jacks tied it up in the bottom of the inning with a Christensen RBI single, followed later by an Alivya Bollen sac fly to take the lead 2-1.
The Jacks kept the momentum rolling into the fifth inning, getting another two runs tacked on to their total, a Vacanti RBI followed by an Abby Gentry RBI.
Then the Jacks’ defense closed the game out in the top of the seventh, sitting down three UND batters in a row.
Baker earned the win for the Jacks, pitching two innings and allowing three hits on nine at-bats.
Vicanti came to the mound and
pitched three innings, not allowing a hit, before Barnard came in to close the final two innings, also not allowing a hit.
KANSAS CITY
The Jacks will now travel to Kansas City to take on the Roos in a threegame series, including a doubleheader on Thursday, April 2.
The first game of the series is at 3 p.m. Thursday, followed by a game at 5 p.m.
The final game will be on Friday with the first pitch at 11 a.m.
Kansas City will look to get on track against the Jacks after a 9-20 start to the season, including an 0-6 record in conference play.
One player to watch for the Roo’s is freshman Megan Johnson, who leads Kansas City in multiple stats, including hits with 26 and RBIs with 11. Johnson also has hit the one and only home run of the season for Kansas City.
DAVE EGGEN / INERTIA
South Dakota State’s Allie Boyle (23) swings at a pitch from North Dakota’s Tehya Armstrong (7) during a college softball game against North Dakota on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Jerald T. Moriarty Field in Brookings
Jacks score 42 runs over two games
‘I’ve never seen that many runs...’ head coach said
JORDAN RADDATZ Sports Reporter
South Dakota State baseball split their last four games, losing to Creighton University and one game to the University of Northern Colorado before going on a scoring spree to win the last two games of the series on Saturday and Sunday.
CREIGHTON
The Bluejays opened the scoring in the second inning with seven runs. While SDSU put up five runs in the fourth inning to close the gap, Creighton would pull away with another four runs in the next three innings, taking a decisive 11-5 victory over the Jacks.
Jacob Sjuts started on the mound, pitching one and one-third innings before six Jackrabbit pitchers took over the rest of the game. Logan Campbell and Matthew Werk accounted for the team’s only pair of strikeouts.
NORTHERN COLORADO
Game one of the series on Friday ended with another loss for the Jacks. While they scored three runs in the second inning, the Bears responded with seven unanswered runs in the third and fourth innings. The Jacks could only score one more run in the seventh, losing 9-6. Starting pitcher Sam Schlecht struck out four Northern Colorado batters before Ty Madison relieved him, only allowing one run and striking out two additional batters. Games two and three saw the Jacks rebound and dominate, scoring a combined 42 runs. In game two, the Jacks would score six runs in the first seven innings. With the Bears ahead by four, SDSU scored 12 runs in the eighth, starting with a 2 RBI triple from Mason Lang. The Jacks, with the bases loaded, were able to draw two walks and after
a 2 RBI double, SDSU would take the lead and never look back, winning 21-10.
In game three, SDSU continued the momentum, opening the game with three runs scored, followed by another eight runs in the next three innings.
Northern Colorado scored two runs in the fifth inning, but it would be their only runs scored. After 10 runs were scored in the seventh, mercy rule was applied, ending in a 21-2 win for SDSU.
In the seventh inning, three runs were scored on wild pitches, and one was scored on a hit by pitch.
“I’ve done this for quite a while, and I’ve never seen that many runs that they were all earned,” head coach Rob Bishop said. “Once we got into their
bullpen on day two, I thought we got some momentum and the momentum just kind of carried through to the third game.”
SDSU moves to 9-19 on the season and they improve to 4-5 in Summit League games.
OMAHA
SDSU returns to action on Saturday, hosting the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks are 10-15 overall with a 6-3 conference record. They are coming off a series win over the University of St. Thomas, winning games one and three of the series.
Jackson Trout leads Omaha in batting average with a .390, scoring 19 runs off 39 hits and 22 runs batted in. Trout’s
on base plus slugging percentage also ranks first among all Maverick batters at 1.021. Henry Zipay is the only other batter to hit above .300, reaching .323 on the season. Cardel Dick leads the team in home runs with three.
On the mound, Sam Beck and Tanner Foertsch have seen the most playing time, starting and appearing in seven games each. Beck has an earned run average of 3.45, giving up just 12 earned runs on 116 at-bats with 31 and one-third innings pitched.
Two games, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, have been postponed due to inclement weather. The rescheduled dates will be announced soon on GoJacks.com. Game three of the series on Saturday will be played as scheduled.
RICKY BASSMAN / GOJACKS
Dayton Franke swings the bat during the Cambria Classic at U.S Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Over the course of the three game series against Northern Colorado, Franke had four runs, five hits and 6 RBIs
Track springs into season Jacks open outdoor season with a pair of meets
NATHAN THOMPSON
Sports Reporter
While the change from winter to spring may have many people excited, track and field fans are excited for a different reason. The switch from the indoor season to the outdoor season.
The SDSU track team began their outdoor season on Thursday, March 26, with the WashU Distance Carnival in St. Louis, Missouri. They continued on Monday, March 30, at the Steinborn/Beacom Twilight Meet in Madison, South Dakota.
WASHU DISTANCE CARNIVAL
The Jackrabbits only had seven competitors at WashU. The highest placement by a Jackrabbit was Joe Dustin, who got 9th in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:51.42. A great start to the season, with his personal best 800 time.
The women’s highest placer was Madalyn Childs, who got 18th in the same event with a time of 2:15.57. This time was impressively close to her most recent indoor times and her outdoor personal best, being about half a second off from both.
STEINBORN/BEACOM
The Twilight meet consisted of only two teams, SDSU and DSU. SDSU ran very well, winning all but five events. Only one SDSU male had a personal best across the whole meet. Ryan Benson in the javelin, with a throw of 171 feet and 2 inches, adding over a foot to his previous best and winning the event.
Just because there was only one personal best does not mean that there were not plenty of great performances. Especially considering the meet is at the start of the year. Rarely do athletes put up their season-best times in the first meet of any season.
Griffin Fischer ran a 10.50-second 100-meter dash in his first time in the event at the collegiate level.
Lucas Flemmer ran 47.73 in the 400-meter dash, just 0.09 seconds away from tying
his personal best time.
Ryan Hackbart’s hammer throw was just 13 inches away from his personal record of 182 feet.
In the women’s events, there were many personal bests. Ellie Harris and Sian O’Sullivan finished one and two in the 100-meter dash, both with personal best times. In the 100-meter hurdles, Silja Gunderson cut 0.11 seconds off her best time. The 400-meter dash featured three personal bests for the Jacks. The largest of which was by Story Rasby, who cut an entire second as she sprinted for first place.
In the throws, Addy Engel added an additional 10 feet to her discus throw, throwing a new best of 141 feet and one inch. She also added three inches to her shot put.
In the shot, Josie Curry added a little over two inches to her best. Sloan Young added two feet to her javelin throw.
“There was so much good stuff at the meet that you couldn’t help but smile by the time that thing was over at seven o’clock last night,” said SDSU head coach Rod DeHaven.
UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits will continue their outdoor season on April 3. Competitors will be distributed across five potential meets, ranging from a nearby Vermillion meet to two meets in California.
BECCA BALL / SDSU ATHLETICS Sophomore runner Joe Dustin (middle) competes in the 800-meter race Thursday, March 26 in St. Louis. Dustin finished the 800-meter event in ninth place.
DRIVEN TO WIN
This senior doesn’t like running; he hates it
NATHAN THOMPSON Reporter
The fastest member of the SDSU distance track team has competed at NCAA DI Cross Country and Track Nationals, holds multiple SDSU records and was first in the Summit League and 98th in the nation in the 2025 season of cross country.
Would you believe he “hates running?”
Cody Larson’s distaste for running means his teammates often have to drag him out the door to go on runs, SDSU track and field and cross country head coach, Rod DeHaven, said.
“He always tells me he hates running,” teammate and fellow distance runner, Jackson Dutcher, said. “I’m like, dude, you don’t hate running. You do it all the time. Like, how can you hate it?”
Larson spent years outside of the spotlight. The fifth-year senior and a mechanical engineering student’s success has been a long time in the making, Dutcher said.
Larson graduated from Warner High School in Northeast South Dakota as a dual-sport athlete in wrestling and cross country. He had a time of 15 minutes, 48 seconds in the 5K in high school. While it’s certainly not slow, it’s nowhere near as fast as his current record of 13:48.
“There’s a metaphor about a bamboo sprout. For eight years, it’s below the ground. And then when it finally sprouts, it grows 8 feet in a week. That’s kind of like Cody,” Dutcher said. “He was good at running, but not like, 13:48, 8:30, steeplechase good.”
“It kind of just seemed like it was out of nowhere,” Dutcher added. “But behind that, he’d been running consistently, doing workouts for years and years and years.”
To get to the success, Larson first had to spend a few years ‘below ground.’
“What’s special about Cody isn’t just where he is now, I think it’s the highs and lows he’s gone through,” said redshirt junior Will Lohr, another of Larson’s cross country teammates.
DeHaven said there’s often an “adjustment period” that comes when student athletes go from high school to college athletics.
“Student-athletes are expected to perform better than they did in high school, and their lifestyle habits are expected to go above and beyond a typical college student. Better sleep, better eating, all leading to better racing,” DeHaven said.
Larson has battled injuries and low iron levels, leading to energy deficiency. He also was the first considered out of contention for one of 10 spots to run at the conference meet his sophomore year. He said it was one of the biggest “lows” in his career at SDSU.
Another low for Larson was a fall in the 2025 NCAA 3,000-meter steeplechase race. He fell after having great placement with two laps to go and missed the finals. Larson said it added “just more fuel to the fire.”
But he’s used these negative experiences to mold him into a better athlete and better teammate.
“I would say one thing about Cody is he’s definitely gone through his valleys,” Lohr said, “and all that experience has really shaped a broad perspective on the sport for him. He’s very good at sharing that with his teammates.”
Larson uses his mistakes to lead by example because he’s learned from his experiences. It comes in different forms - whether he’s listening to his body and not overexerting himself in a workout or “reminding other runners on the team, younger runners, just to be patient and keep showing up,” Dutcher said. Larson, and the experience he brings, is an integral part of the team culture.
Larson said using a lesson he learned from wrestling helps him
while racing: A wrestler must know their first three moves before the match even starts. He uses this mindset to envision races and specifically beat opponents.
Dutcher said Larson “really likes to focus on the winning aspect of running.”
“I like to look around at the NCAA and call people runners or racers,” Larson said. Some people like running and pushing their bodies for the love of it, Larson said, but not him.
“I’m putting up with all this mileage and all this work to be able to compete with other people,” Larson said.
“That’s why I got into the sport. To beat other people … I don’t care if I get 12th place. I don’t care if I have a really bad time as long as I win.”
And win he has. Larson has accolades to show for his work. In 2025 alone, he was named Summit League cross country athlete of the year, first team All-Summit League and was part of the NCAA All-Midwest finishers.
In 2024, he was named “Most Outstanding Male Performer” at the
indoor Summit League track and field championships. He holds school records in the 3,000-meter race, the 5,000-meter race, and is a co-record holder in the distance medley relay. (maybe make breakout)
As much as he’s accomplished, there is still a lot left for Larson. DeHaven summed Larson’s goals up in a sentence. “Get to Eugene (Oregon, where the NCAA championships are held each year), get to the final and become an All-American.” To make first team All-American, a runner must finish top eight in their respective event.
Some NCAA running programs teams have started to bring athletes from overseas powerhouse distance running countries, such as Kenya, and put them in a few online classes to have them on the cross country team. These athletes are generally older than college students, and are more akin to professional athletes than collegiate athletes.
In 2026, of the top 20 finishers in the NCAA D1 Cross Country finals, 18 of the top 20 were foreign athletes. 58%
of the top 50 were from Kenya alone. Despite these recruitment tactics making it harder for true college athletes to achieve this mark in NCAA track and field, Larson’s competitive edge drives him to see this not as a setback, but an opportunity to prove just how far he has come.
“I got to up my game,” he said. “It just makes me better as a whole. “That’s the kind of competition that you want to strive for, regardless of if it’s foreign or not.”
ACCOLADES
2025 Summit League
Athlete of the Year
2025 Summit League Champion
2025 NCAA All-Midwest Region
2025 NCAA Championships Qualifier
Photo courtesy of SDSU ATHLETICS
At the Jim Emmerich Alumni Meet, Cody Larson took the 3000-meter record with a time of 8:03.10, placing second in the event.
