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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 4
6 p.m. — Jackrabbit MBB vs. St. Thomas (YouTube)
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Afternoon — The Collegian Report (YouTube)
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5 p.m. — Jackrabbit MBB vs. South Dakota (YouTube)
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MORE AT SDSUCOLLEGIAN.COM
BANGLADESH NIGHT
Students, faculty, staff and members of the Brookings community are invited to experience a night celebrating traditional Bangladeshi culture, from 6-9 p.m. in the Volstorff Ballroom in the Student Union on Sunday, Feb. 8.
The event will include various cultural performances and attendees can eat authentic Bangladeshi cuisine.
“We are trying to do our best to bring something different, which represents us uniquely,” Salhuddin said. “But this year, I think you’ll see something different.”
Tickets cost $15 for students, $18 for others that wish to attend and kids under 12 are free.
— Jordan Roemeling,Lifestyle Director
ONLINE NOW
CAPERS GETS REAL
Capers is a student-run comedy show featuring Saturday Night Live style skits, singing and group dances. Students spent the first three weeks of the semester preparing and four performances were held last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Read more on how things went on pg. 10.
— Isabelle Persons, Reporter
BANGLADESH STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Performers for the 2025 Bangladesh Night pose for a photo on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. This year, the celebration will be held on Feb. 8 from 6-9 p.m. in the Volstorff Ballroom inside the Student Union.
JACKS GROUND GOLDEN EAGLES
The South Dakota State men’s basketball team rolled to a 95-72 win over the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles on Saturday scoring the most points they have in a Summit League game all season. Read more about the win on pgs. 14-15.
— Jacob Brende, Sports Editor
ONLINE LATER THIS WEEK ONLINE LATER THIS WEEK
POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME LOG
SUNDAY, JAN. 25
• 2:50 a.m. — Suspicious Persons/ Vehicle, Brown Hall
• 1:41 p.m. — Sexual Assault, Hansen Hall
TUESDAY, JAN. 27
• 10:18 p.m. — Theft-All Other, Wellness Center
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28
• 1:57 p.m. — Indecent Exposure/ Public Indecency, Student Union
THURSDAY, JAN. 29
• 3:15 a.m. — Liquoir/Possession/ Consumption, Ben Reifel Hall
FRIDAY, JAN. 30
• 8:23 p.m. — Fictitious/False ID, 1200 block of Eighth Street
Members of the Students’ Association (SA) held an emergency meeting Friday to vote in opposition of a bill that would have removed an enhanced permit as a condition of carrying a concealed pistol while on South Dakota public higher education campuses.
House Bill 1133 was killed in a 9-6 vote in the House committee Monday, according to SA Government Affairs Chair Anna Hundt.
OPEN FORUM
Monday night’s SA meeting began with an address to the senators from interim Police Chief Michael Drake. Drake is providing leadership for the University Police Department (UPD) until SDSU hires a new chief.
When asked what practices and policies he plans to implement at UPD, Drake said he’s looking to be more professional, and concentrate on the “customer base.”
“I want to make sure that UPD, their culture fits with what you folks want, or what your family wants or what the staff wants here,” Drake said.
During his time as chief, Drake also said he aims to be transparent within the department’s communication.
“My communication standard as far as being the chief of police or representing a police agency is to be upfront and honest with folks,” Drake said. “Not because we have to meet standards or with Title IX, but because you should know what’s going on when something is happening in the halls, or on the side or within our campus community where that impacts you everyday.”
Drake is originally from New York state and moved to Brookings in 2022. He said his job in the Brookings Police Department and now UPD, has made him feel “rejuvenated.”
The 2026 Hobo Day Grand Pooba,
Grace Barnett, also addressed the senate. Barnett has been involved with the Hobo Day Committee for the last three years, and said she’s excited to maximize the Hobo Gear Prep Night event during Hobo Week.
“We’re looking at doing a fun little twist on that, possibly doing some premade outfits, or possibly having different coordinators on the team compose an outfit that they choose,” Barnett said.
Hobo Day is set for Oct. 24, 2026.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
An additional 200 journals are available for free to SDSU students, Chief of Staff Emma Peterson said. The library committee signed an agreement, making the total number of journals available 1,300.
Peterson also reported that Briggs Library is now open at noon on Sundays instead of 1 p.m.
A new textbook guide is now available to students from the Wintrode Student Success Center.
“There is now a textbook guide since there are so many different ways for students to access their textbooks, whether it’s online or a physical textbook,” Peterson said.
There will be copies of the textbook guide available in the Students’ Association office, located on Main Street in the Student Union.
“My communication standard as far as being the chief of police or representing a police agency is to be upfront and honest with folks.”
MICHAEL DRAKE INTERIM UPD CHIEF & BROOKINGS POLICE CHIEF
RYANN DAVIS / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Interim UPD Police Chief Michael Drake addresses senators at the Monday night Student’s Association meeting in the Student Union on Feb. 2, 2026.
Official: New chief could be on job by fall Interim leader promises deptartment will be more open
BRAYDEN BYERS
Breaking News
SDSU officials aim to have a permanent police chief in place by the start of the next academic year, following Tim Heaton’s departure in December.
The timeline comes amid a permanent structural shift for the University Police Department (UPD), which now reports directly to SDSU’s Vice President and General Counsel, Tracy Greene, rather than the vice president for technology and security.
“That would be a good gold standard for us to have someone permanent in place for the next academic year,” Greene said.
Brookings Police Department (BPD) Chief Michael Drake has been serving as interim police chief since Jan. 9. His appointment follows the vacancy left by former Chief Tim Heaton, who is facing felony charges of cruelty to animals following his arrest in late November. The university has decided against a rushed hiring process. Instead, officials are prioritizing a transition period to make sure the department is stable before bringing in a new long-term leader.
“They didn’t want to just throw something at the wall and walk away from it,” Drake said regarding the administration’s strategy. “I think the university was very intentional on what they wanted to do.”
Drake said that while the process might have seemed “clunky” initially, the university is taking its time to consult with local law enforcement and assess the department’s needs. Before a permanent replacement is selected, Greene said the search process will rely heavily on input from the campus community to shape the role’s description.
“We want to gather more feedback on that before we make decisions,” Greene said.” [We want to] get more university feedback from students, from others, and from the community when we make those final decisions.”
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION
Amid the search for new leadership, UPD is also undergoing a permanent structural realignment.
According to Greene, President Barry Dunn has
moved UPD under the supervision of the Office of General Counsel, which Greene leads. This shift places UPD alongside Environmental Health and Safety, a move designed to consolidate the university’s safety operations, Green said. Previously, the police department reported to the Vice President for Technology and Security David Overby.
Greene clarified that this restructuring is separate from the temporary appointment of Drake and is intended to serve as the university’s long-term operating model. The goal, she said, is to promote better collaboration between the various safety entities on campus.
“What we’re really thinking is going to be a synergy of all the public health and safety activities… so that they can all work very, very efficiently and effectively together instead of having them in different departments,” Greene said. “We’re looking for the highest impact activity.”
While Drake has stepped into the role of interim chief, he is also staying in his position as chief of BPD. He said the day-to-day operations of the two departments remain separate. He also confirmed
that no Brookings police officers have been brought in to patrol the UPD jurisdiction.
A longstanding agreement has been in place for BPD to assist UPD with major on-campus events, such as game days. The most recent agreement, in which Drake took on the interim chief duties, is an addendum to the original agreement and focuses on leadership rather than a merger of the patrol forces.
As part of the agreement, SDSU will reimburse the city $8,000 per month for the duties performed by Drake, $1,000 per month for administration and the cost of legal fees incurred by the city with City Attorney Vincent Jones and Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith, P.C.
In terms of the current strength of the force, Drake said UPD’s staffing levels are stable. He said the department has between 25 and 30 employees, including dispatchers and student patrol. The law enforcement staff consists of about 10 to 12 full-time officers and six to eight part-time officers.
Drake said that these numbers are appropriate for the campus population of 12,000 students and
MICHAEL DRAKE
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
The University Police Department sits on the northeast side of campus, east of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium. The department has gone through leadership changes since the resignation of Tim Heaton, former UPD chief, in December.
2,000 staff members.
“I think we fall right where the national average is, where SDSU should be for their coverage for public safety for the university,” Drake said.
Drake sees his temporary tenure as an opportunity to stabilize the department and prepare it for the next long-term leader. He intends to focus on documentation and minor efficiencies during the transition.
and community members as the department’s patrons.
Despite the controversy surrounding the former chief’s exit, Drake described the current atmosphere inside UPD as resilient. He said that when he came in, he expected the force’s morale to be lower, but that he hasn’t seen that.
“It hits your morale when you lose a best friend or when you work with somebody for so many years… but they really do get along.”
Campus carry bill killed in House committee
BRAYDEN BYERS Breaking News
“My job is to make sure that that person that comes in [as the new chief] is set up for success and not failure,” Drake said. “That they’ll have all those minor changes and the blueprint laid out.”
COMMUNICATION & MORALE
Drake was asked about one concern in particular. The daily crime log is a document prepared by UPD that provides details on calls they have taken over the past week. The crime log is sent to Collegian Media for publication every Monday. There are times when students have seen a police presence in front of a resident hall, but the incident has not been listed on the crime log the following week.
Drake acknowledged these concerns and said quelling the campus “rumor mill” is a priority for his term. He said that silence or poor communication by police can allow misinformation to spread and create panic or distrust.
“There’s nothing worse than having confusion on campus… rumors start flying,” Drake said. “I always like to make sure that we get the story straight the first time.”
He framed his approach to campus policing as a service industry, viewing the students, staff
He said his main goal is to provide stability during the transition period.
“Change is difficult for anyone… My job right now is to look, listen, right? Hang out, think about it… to make sure that everybody feels safe and secure and to be able to support those officers,” he said.
UPD ACCREDITATION STATUS
Along with the organizational and leadership changes, UPD is also going through its reaccreditation process, conducted by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
When it was first accredited in 2017, it was one of only 48 campus departments to earn the international accreditation, according to a 2017 news release from SDSU Marketing and Communications.
Even with all the changes being made, Greene said the university can let IACLEA know about the situation and they can update their report.
“At this juncture, I have no reason to believe that this restructure would have any impact whatsoever on the reaccreditation.” She said.
IACLEA held a public comment period on UPD last October, and Greene said the organization has completed its review and that SDSU is awaiting the report.
The House Education Committee killed a bill Monday that would have changed enhanced permit rules for concealed carry on South Dakota campuses.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Jordan, R-Clear Lake, would have allowed carrying a concealed handgun without an enhanced or restricted-enhanced permit on the campuses of Board of Regents schools and technical colleges in the state.
The committee killed the legislation on a 9-6 vote.
Student governments at both South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota opposed the bill.
Anna Hundt, government affairs chair for SDSU’s Students’ Association, told the committee that the senate unanimously approved a resolution going against the bill at an emergency meeting last Friday.
“I have no doubt that this bill is aimed at keeping more South Dakota students safe, but as leaders of our student body, we have significant concerns that the outcome will be the opposite of its intent,” Hundt said.
Hundt said enhanced permit training covers South Dakota firearms law and the lawful use of force.
“It trains students on what scenarios include proper use of force and what scenarios do not,” Hundt said.
“In high stress situations, a trained student will have the knowledge of how to act within the law, but more importantly, within what is logistically necessary to keep everyone safe.”
Ellie Hart, USD’s student body vice
president, represented the USD Student Government Association, which also voted unanimously to oppose the legislation. Hart argued that the committee should listen to the students who are on campus.
“If the proponent testimony is correct, and me, as a young woman and a young student, am most at risk, then I’m the most qualified person in this room to tell you that our campuses are safe,” Hart said.
Supporters of the bill argued that the enhanced permit requirement is an unnecessary barrier to self-defense.
Levi Taglioli, a USD student and founder of Conservative Students for South Dakota, disagreed that the bill would reduce campus safety.
“This is a campus carry bill to respond to the Board of Regents,” Taglioli said. “We do have gun control on campuses. That’s what this (the current policy) is.”
Taglioli also said that the enhanced permit class focuses on legal instruction rather than firearm handling.
“It is not a safety briefing. It doesn’t teach you how to use a gun. It teaches you the law,” he said.
Concealed carry was not allowed on South Dakota college campuses until the legislature and Gov. Larry Rhoden passed a law allowing it for permit holders last year. Concealed carrying is generally allowed without a permit in South Dakota, except in places where a permit and notice are required or in places where only approved people are allowed to carry guns.
TRACY GREENE
New master’s program in global ag leadership
ELIZABETH COUDRON Reporter
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is launching a new master’s program that will give students a chance to have a deeper understanding of leadership and how it relates to agriculture.
The master of science in global agricultural leadership is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders. The program is set to start fall 2026 with applications for the first cohort due Feb. 15.
“This program is to prepare the next generation of leaders,” said Rosie Nold, assistant dean and director of global agricultural leadership. “It’s really about leadership in agriculture and having the foundation in all aspects of sustainability.”
This program is designed to enhance student leadership skills and economic awareness in a complex global agricultural environment, according to Nold. Graduates will be prepared to advance agriculture, strengthen rural communities and serve as leadership within agricultural systems worldwide. This sets graduates up to excel both their own careers as well as what they give back to agriculture communities.
The one-year, non-thesis program consists of 30 credit hours, with domestic and international travel. It’s a shorter program than traditional graduate programs. The structure allows students to pursue advanced education while gaining experience, Nold said.
Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn Endowed Dean of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, said now was the right time to launch the program because agriculture needs strong leadership at every level, from local school boards and county commissions, to state and national government.
Required coursework includes classes focusing on leadership, economics and global agricultural systems. Students will begin the program in the summer with primarily online coursework and a leadership-focused internship and travel in early August to the West Coast. This gives students the
opportunity to explore agriculture and leadership in different regions of the country.
Fall coursework includes advanced managerial economics and global climate change, along with international travel. In the spring, students complete classes in farming and food system economics, agricultural policy, management and leadership in technical organizations, and a capstone experience that applies leadership.
The goal of the program is not necessarily to turn students into leaders, Cassady said, but to help people who already demonstrate leadership potential advance more quickly into leadership roles.
Ella Stiefvater, who recently applied to the program, said its focus on leadership and global experience caught her attention. Originally from Salem, S.D., Stiefvater is currently majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in animal science. She’s held several leadership roles on campus.
“I felt like this was an incredible opportunity to get in on the ground floor,” Stiefvater said. “It’s super appealing that the program will work with a full-time job and allow students to bring an industry perspective into leadership.”
Stiefvater first learned about the program through Nold and Bob Thaler, distinguished professor and SDSU Extension swine specialist. After traveling abroad to Vietnam, Stiefvater wanted to learn more about agriculture overseas.
The trip abroad will help students see agriculture beyond their own communities, Nold said. This will help bring real world experience to the classroom and work force.
SDSU plans on enrolling approximately 20 students per year in the program with a goal of about a dozen students for the first cohort. Students will benefit from strong industry support in this program and scholarship opportunities.
About $5 million was raised through the SDSU Alumni & Foundation to help launch and sustain the program. Commodity groups, private businesses and individual donors have contributed, and continued industry support will be key to the program’s long-term success.
“We have tremendous industry support behind this program,” Nold said. “So, I think there will be even greater opportunities to connect with industry leaders.”
While many applicants have undergraduate majors in agricultural business, animal science, agricultural leadership or communications, Nold said students from any major who are passionate about agriculture and leadership are encouraged to apply.
Stiefvater fits the bill when it comes to passion in
agriculture and leadership.
“This sounds like such an incredible opportunity that is so perfectly timed being only one year, and you’re able to pack so many experiences in that one year,” Stiefvater said. “I would encourage students because we are young and we have our whole career ahead of us.”
“I am excited about the program and I am confident that those who choose to pursue this degree will be better prepared for success,” Cassady said.
The application deadline for the master of science in global agricultural leadership program is Feb. 15. Students can apply through the SDSU general graduate school application and by selecting the program.
PROGRAM CONTACT
Name: Rosie Nold
Title: Assistant Dean and Director of Global Agricultural Leadership
Email: Rosemarie.nold@sdstate.edu
Phone number: (605) 688-4893
ROSIE NOLD
JOSEPH CASSADY
Local pizzeria wins big in Italy
BROOKE BURNETTE Reporter
Danger von Dempsey’s Pizzeria took home first place for its dessert pizza at the Senza Frontiere World Pizza Championship last month.
This championship happened in Rimini, Italy, with over 30 countries and 120 pizza experts competing. South Dakota native Sean Dempsey was among the winners with his Carrots and Cream Dessert Pizza.
Dempsey owns pizzerias in Brookings and Watertown.
“Our very own Sean Danger von Dempsey won first place in dessert pizza in Rimini, Italy!” his business’ Facebook account announced in late January. “What an insanely great achievement. Way to go Sean!”
The World Pizza Championship was held Jan. 16-20 on the country’s east coast. The event featured pizza makers competing in 18 different categories, from classic pizza to traditional, Neapolitan pizza and Roman-style pizza. There were also more modern and innovative specialties including creative categories such as the dessert pizza competition where Dempsey won his gold medal.
making until 2014 when his passion began.
“I went to the Las Vegas Pizza Expo my first year, and being around all those guys and seeing all you can do on a pizza, that’s really pizza, that’s really where I got really passionate about doing weird stuff with pizza,” Dempsey said. “I saw that and knew I instantly wanted to get in on it. I like good competition, and I’m not very good at sports, but I can make a pretty neat pizza.”
Dempsey is a proud member of the United States Pizza Team. The team’s Instagram bio says it includes members from across the country who are “dedicated to bettering the pizza industry through camaraderie and competition.”
“We’re a group of basically pizza and jerseys. We all generally have our own shops somewhere around the nation.” Dempsey said. “Our team captains are from San Diego, California. We have guys in Florida, guys in Illinois, we have guys in Montana,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey said he wanted to get creative for the contest in Italy.
“Winning pizza things in America is neat, but any American winning a pizza event in Italy is, well, it doesn’t really happen,” Dempsey told Dakota News Now in Sioux Falls.
Dempsey has 26 years of experience in the restaurant industry, starting at his family’s Watertown restaurant. He did not get into pizza
“I knew that we were going to Italy to compete in this category for dessert pizza, and I wanted something that was going to be a little weird, but not too weird, because Italy weird is bad, but this weird, I thought, might be OK,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey said he is hoping to expand his businesses throughout the area in the coming years.
“Winning pizza things in America is neat, but any American winning a pizza event in Italy is, well, it doesn’t really happen.”
SEAN DEMPSEY
KYLEI MORTON / COLLEGIAN MEDIA Danger von Dempsey’s Pizzeria is located at 770 22nd Avenue South in Brookings.
HUNDREDS GATHER FOR LIVESTOCK DRAWING
Over 200 students, only 190 animals to show
AVERY ZEISLER Reporter
Over 200 students gathered in Rotunda D to participate in the 103rd Little International Livestock Drawing on Jan. 28 to enter the Little I lottery system. Winners will be able to show an animal at Little International on March 27 and 28.
There were 190 animals for students to choose from out of six different species. Each species has a novice and experienced division, so that those with little to no experience can still participate. Livestock that students can draw for in the lottery include beef cattle, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and horses.
Animals for the competition are donated, or shared, with students a month in advance by the livestock units on campus, or supporters of Little International.
The beef cattle, sheep, and horses all come from their respective units on campus, while the dairy cattle are brought to campus from an alumni of SDSU. The pigs and goats are brought in from producers off campus.
Lindsey Schmoll, junior agricultural business major and 103rd Little International Livestock Coordinator, explained who is able to partake in Little International.
“Literally anyone (can participate), you don’t have to be an animal science major, you could be engineering, nursing,” Schmoll said. “It doesn’t matter as long as you are ready to learn and participate.”
Junior animal science major and 103rd Little International Assistant Livestock Coordinator Raesa Zelinsky, agreed with Schmoll.
“Students who draw an animal will have support from several different people. Each species has its own committee,” Zelinsky said. “People on the livestock committees have excellent leadership skills, past experience with the species, and are willing to be good communicators and people the participants can rely on.”
Those who drew an animal were then given further instructions from their specific committee members as there’s only three weeks for participants to train their animal.
“I’m incredibly excited to show a sheep at Little International,” said Lilli Steeke, junior agricultural
communications major. “I’m proud to represent myself and grateful for the opportunity to experience something so unique.”
Committee members and executive staff are available to assist Little I participants if help is needed.
Cassidy Strommen, manager of the 103rd Little International and senior agricultural communications major, explained that there is an informational meeting for high point club and high point individual. There’s also a lamb lead drawing as well as a drawing for team fitting animals.
Strommen said the three weeks students get to work with their animal is special.
“It’s a really rewarding experience,” Strommen said. “Starting off with an animal that is not trained and then being able to train it and show off all your hard work is extremely rewarding.”
Courtesy of JALEIGH HALLSTED
TOP: Hundreds of students gathered in Rotunda D for the 103rd Little International Lottery Drawing on Jan. 28, 2026.
BOTTOM: Student gives Raesa Zelinsky her livestock bidding card before lottery drawing. Animals available include beef and dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and horses.
Hundreds take in Capers
Students used reality TV as their inspiration for this year’s theme
ISABELLE PERSONS
Reporter
Alpha Psi Omega’s annual Capers show entertained over 450 attendees Jan. 29-31 at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.
Corey Shelsta, a professor of theatre in the School of Performing Arts and adviser to Alpha Psi Omega, said that “Capers is a variety show of skits, songs and dances that is written, directed and choreographed by students.”
Capers is also an annual fundraiser for Alpha Psi Omega, the theatre honorary fraternity that produces the show every year.
Every year Caper’s has a theme, to keep the show reflective of current trends and pop culture, Shelsta said.
This year’s theme was “Capers Gets Real.” The production showcased skits based on popular reality TVshows such as MythBusters, Dance Moms, Rupaul’s Drag Race and more.
One crowd favorite that got many laughs from the audience was a UFC weigh-in skit. It starred Willem Lim, a sophomore journalism major who was the pretend host of a fight.
Lim said he joined Capers because it’s a fun environment to be a part of.
“Everyone just has a laid back, fun time,” Lim said. “We get lit.”
Lim’s favorite dance number was “Bang Bang,” a song by Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jessie J. Junior theater major, Kirynn Engelbrecht, choreographed the number, as well as Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra.”
“Abracadabra” was Engelbrecht’s favorite number because the cast performed it exactly how she wanted it, she said.
“The first rehearsal I told them, ‘You guys need to make it super, like, creepy and Lady Gaga style,’ and they really brought that out,” Engelbrecht
ISABELLE PERSONS / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Members of the CAPERS cast dance and sing to the song “I’m Still Standing” during opening night on Thursday, Jan. 29 in the
said. “So, I really like it.”
Another dance number was paired with the song “Where is My Husband,” by Raye. That number was senior theater major and Capers Artistic Director, Alex Raether’s, favorite.
Raether said the most rewarding part of Capers is the excitement of the cast.
Danika Christopherson, a freshman double majoring in theater and psychology, was in the audience opening night.
“I thought it was so much fun to see all of my buddies that I’ve met in the theater program on the stage, just having fun and being themselves,”
Christopherson said.
“My favorite skit was the Weekend News one from Saturday Night Live,” said Sydney Venekamp, freshman public relations major. The skit was her favorite because she likes Saturday Night Live, the show it was inspired by.
Capers was a hit this year with 459 tickets sold and 206 belonging to students. The show will be back next spring.
TICKET SALES
2025: 455 tickets sold, 242 purchased by students
2026: 459 tickets sold, 206 purchased by students
Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.
WRESTLING WINS TWO
SDSU defeats Falcons, Bears ahead of ranked match
JORDAN RADDATZ
Sports Reporter
South Dakota State wrestling took a pair of victories over the United States Air Force Academy on Friday and the University of Northern Colorado on Sunday as they look ahead to a ranked match this weekend.
Air Force
Daniel Guanajuato at 125 pounds took a 10-1 major decision against NCAA Qualifier Tucker Owens to open the match. Following Cale Seaton’s 5-4 decision, the Falcons scored their only dual win with Carter Nigel over Tyson Peach. The Jacks won the last seven duals to take the match by a score of 37-5.
SDSU won three of these duals by tech falls, including a 20-5 tech fall by Moses Espinoza-Owens at 174 pounds, and a 16-0 shutout tech fall by Luke Rasmussen at 285 pounds. Cael Swensen racked his first pin of the 2025-26 season.
Northern Colorado
The Bears put up three dual wins in Sunday’s match against SDSU, but the Jacks won the final four duals of the day in the 31-10 win. The first three duals were won on major decisions with Guanajuato and Peach winning two of them for SDSU. Dominick Serrano for the Bears won the other dual over Seaton. Bennett Berge at 197 pounds won his dual on a 3:42 pin, while Rasmussen won on a 2:26 pin.
KJ Evans at 149 pounds and Kilian Schultz at 165 pounds accounted for the remaining Bears dual wins. Both match wins improve the Jacks record to 12-3.
“I thought overall, you know, the fight is there,” head coach Damion Hahn said. “The fight is there, right? The effort is there. The competition
HOLSEN / COLLEGIAN
South Dakota State’s Bennett Berge at 197 pounds wrestles on top of United States Air Force Academy’s Owen Heiser at First Bank and Trust Arena in Brookings on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. Berge won the dual in a 17-2 tech fall and scored five points for the Jackrabbits as they defeated the Falcons 37-5.
in me wants more every single time.”
No. 14 Northern Iowa
This Sunday sees the Jacks hosting the University of Northern Iowa. The Panthers are 9-6 this season, but they have lost their last two matches and are 0-3 on the road. In their last match on Saturday, the Panthers lost to No. 21 Oklahoma 23-18.
SDSU and UNI faced off earlier this season on Jan. 10 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, during the NWCA National
Duals. The Panthers won the match 20-14, and the Jacks finished in second place in what was their first loss of the season.
Garret Rinken at 133 pounds leads the Panthers in overall win percentage this season at .818. The redshirt sophomore is 5-0 in tech falls and 4-0 in pins. His quickest pin time clocked in at 2:18. The quickest time belongs to heavyweight Cameron Geuther, who recorded one in just 48 seconds. The next quickest pin time came from
Cory Land at 141 pounds, who recorded a 1:17 pin. Land, a redshirt junior, is 12-3 this season and 7-3 in duals, also going 4-0 in major decisions. In total, five Panthers have pin times inside two minutes.
“UNI is very similar to us,” Hahn said. “We took a loss, they took a loss, we’ll see how that kind of shakes out.” Match time is Sunday at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on FloWrestling.
FINN
MEDIA
SDSU PLACES 15 ON PODIUM
Jacks will now look to meets in Nebraska and Iowa
CORDELL VITENSE
Sports Editor
15 Jackrabbit student athletes claimed podium spots at the UND Open on Saturday, Jan. 31.
UND OPEN
Three of the podium finishers claimed gold in their event. Sophomore Jared Lutmer finished first in the men’s 5000m with a time of 14:58.66.
Senior Ethan Fischer claimed the top spot in the men’s discus throw with a distance of 56.65m.
Not only was it the best mark posted during the meet but the best mark ever posted in SDSU history.
Fischer wasn’t the only Jackrabbit to have a strong showing in the discus throw, as SDSU swept the podium with sophomore Caymen Gebheim finishing second and junior Caiden Fredrick taking third.
Fredrick also finished third in the weight throw with a mark of 18.57 m.
Jaden Peters took home gold in the men’s pole vault by clearing a height of 4.87m. Senior Ryan Karajanis took third in the event.
Junior Brandon Kampsen took second in the men’s one mile with a time of 4:01.58.
“I’m excited for what lies ahead for him,” said head coach Rod DeHaven, referring to Kampsen. “Certainly, I think he’s got the capability of breaking the school record in the 800 and the mile here in the next couple of weeks.”
Senior Taylor Jochum was runner-up in the women’s high jump with a jump of 1.66m.
For the men’s triple jump, it was freshman Ty Nelson grabbing the silver medal, jumping 14.75m.
The Jackrabbits left North Dakota with a plethora of bronze medals.
One of them was from freshman Brady Wallace, who took third with a time of 8.21 seconds in the men’s 60m hurdles.
Another freshman, Griffin Fischer, also landed on the podium with a third-place finish in the men’s 200m, crossing the line at 21.81 seconds.
In the women’s discus throw, junior Lydia Hill claimed third after throwing 41.24m.
Freshman Kincade Lehman grabbed bronze in the men’s triple jump when he jumped a distance of 14.59m.
Sophomore Jalyn Shepherd placed third in the women’s weight throw with a mark of 17.9m.
UPCOMING MEETS
Following the UND OPEN, some SDSU athletes will compete in the ISU Classic in Ames, Iowa Friday, Feb. 6. Others will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska, the same day to compete in the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational that spans from Friday to Saturday.
Courtesy of EVAN PATZWALD
Senior athlete Ryan Benson competes in the hurdles on Jan.24 during the Jim Emmerich Alumni Meet.
USD jumps Jacks in standings
CORDELL
VITENSE
Sports Editor
The Jackrabbit women’s basketball team got a win last week against Omaha but followed it up with a loss in Vermillion on Saturday. The Jacks are now 7-2 in conference play.
“We’re coming off a good week last week and a tough week last week - it was both,” said head coach Aaron Johnston. “We had a good win to get the week going and we had a tough loss to finish the week. I thought we played well early in the week and did some good things at home. Then we went on the road and just did not play well enough for 40 minutes against USD. We played well at times but not well enough throughout an entire game. In that third quarter, I think it just got away from us.”
OMAHA
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, SDSU got an 85-41 win against the Omaha Mavericks at First Bank & Trust Arena.
Senior forward Brooklyn Meyer had an efficient 18 points against the Mavericks, shooting 7-7 from the field and 4-6 from the line. Meyer snagged a double-double by grabbing 11 boards.
Two other Jacks were able to score in double figures. Senior guard Madison Mathiowetz scored 13 and freshman forward Brooklynn Felchie tallied 12.
Omaha only had one double-digit scorer and that was freshman guard Regan Juenemann. The freshman had 10 points on 4-6 shooting.
Graduate student guard Sarai Estupiñan struggled against SDSU, scoring eight points on 2-19 from the field, including 0-8 from three. Estupiñan shot 4-4 from the free-throw line.
The first quarter was tight, with the two teams tied 14-14 heading into the second. SDSU blew the game open in the second quarter.
The Jacks started the second quarter with a 9-0 run and they didn’t slow down, outscoring Omaha 21-8 in the quarter.
The Jackrabbits continued the momentum they gained in the second quarter and outscored Omaha 50-19 in the second half.
USD
Meyer had a big night against the Coyotes, scoring 27 points and shooting 66% from the field. Meyer also grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots.
Senior guard Angelina Robles had a big night, scoring 25 points while shooting 7-10 from the field, including 6-7 from three. Robles also shot 5-5 from the charity stripe.
Senior forward Elise Turrubiates also had a good night, scoring 19 points, shooting 50% from the field, 60% from three and 100% from the free throw line.
SDSU held a lead after the first quarter, up 17-14. By halftime, USD regained the lead, holding a 32-30 advantage.
The Coyotes continued to build on their lead in the third quarter, holding a 53-45 lead. The fourth quarter is when things really unraveled for the Jacks as the Coyotes outscored them 20-9 to hand SDSU their second loss of conference play.
With the loss, SDSU nows falls to third in the Summit League standings behind NDSU at one and USD at two.
ST. THOMAS
The Jackrabbits will travel to Minnesota to face the St. Thomas Tommies on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m.
The Tommies are currently 3-5 in conference play, which puts them at sixth in the Summit League.
Sophomore forward Alyssa Sand leads St. Thomas in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game. Sand also leads the team in rebounds with 7.8, steals
with 2.3 and blocks with 1.5.
Graduate student guard Jada Hood averages nine points per game for the Tommies while leading the team in assists with 3.5. Hood also grabs over five rebounds per game.
When St. Thomas came to Brookings earlier in the season, the Jacks won 67-49.
Meyer was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points, shooting 10-11 from the field.
Sand also had a good performance, leading the Tommies with 15 points. She also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
St. Thomas is currently 0-10 against the Jackrabbits and will look to get their first win in program history against SDSU on Wednesday.
SDSU will return home to play UND on Thursday, Feb. 12.
EAN WETZEL / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Sophomore gaurd Katie Vasecka shoots a three over Omaha defender Sarai Estupiñan at First Bank & Trust Arena on Jan. 28. Vasecka scored nine points against the Mavericks, helping the Jackrabbits secure an 85-41 win.
JACKS BEST ORU 95-72 Homestand continues against St. Thomas, USD
JACOB BRENDE
Sports Editor
Joe Sayler and Jaden Jackson both scored 24 points in SDSU’s 95-72 win over Oral Roberts. Today, they face off against St. Thomas for a chance to get to 12-12 on the season.
SDSU took an early lead thanks to three consecutive three point shots. After SDSU created a 14-7 advantage, ORU was able to seize a bit of momentum and make it an 18-20 point game. The Golden Eagle’s top scorer Ty Harper put in 11 points to cut the lead. Harper started off hot, scoring 16 points in the first half, 11 of them coming in the first ten minutes of the game. Sayler responded with a five point scoring streak of his own, and the Jackrabbits didn’t look back. By the end of the half, SDSU scored 58 points with 64.9% field efficiency while also shooting more than 60% from three. They also went 8-13 from beyond the arc. The Golden Eagles were about 40% from the field, a little more than 30% from three.
ORU didn’t fare much better in the second half. While SDSU’s shooting percentages went down in the second half (apart from their free throw percentage), the Golden Eagles weren’t able to improve their shooting struggles. Their percentages actually went down from their already poor first half. ORU’s field goal percentage dropped by roughly 13%, their three point shooting stayed about the same, only dropping by 0.4%. The Jackrabbits went on to win the game 95-72.
Jackson went 9-18 from the field and 5-11 from three, Sayler was 9-12 and 3-4 from three. Other Jackrabbits with double digit scoring include Kalen Garry, Damon Wilkinson and Bubz Alvarez.
SDSU’s Bubz Alvarez dribbles the ball during a basketball game against Oral Roberts on Jan. 31, 2026 in First Bank & Trust Arena. Alvarez scored 11 points on 4-6 shooting from the field and gathered eight rebounds.
ST. THOMAS
The Jackrabbits have been hot at home, winning eight games in Brookings while only losing one. They’ll test that record against one of the best teams in the Summit League, St. Thomas. Another great team at home, the last time the Jacks played St. Thomas it was in St. Paul, Minn. where the Tommies were undefeated up at that point. They would go on to beat SDSU 74-69. While they have
been hot at home, on the road St. Thomas cools off, with a record of 6-4.
“They are ahead of us in the conference, so it’s a great opportunity for us to get them, play them here at home,” said head coach Bryan Peterson. “We played them very competitively up at their place, it felt like we were right there, you know, we just didn’t get it done in crucial moments and they just made a few more plays than we did.”
St. Thomas’ offense is second in the Summit League in scoring, averaging 82.6 points a game. They are also second in points allowed a game, letting up 72.3 a game on average. SDSU trails St. Thomas is defensive metrics, they are third with a 72.5 points a game average. In the two teams’ last time facing off against each other, SDSU held a lead late into the game. With a little less than three minutes left in the second
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
half, SDSU held onto a one point lead. St. Thomas’ Nick Janowski shot two free throws to take the lead back, and the Tommies were able to hold onto the lead for the win. Janowski is one of St. Thomas’ best players and is among the best in the Summit League is scoring. He’s fourth while averaging 16.8 points a game.
Two spots ahead of him on the leaderboard is another Tommie, Nolan Minessale. Averaging 19.6 points a game, 4.2 assists a game, which is the second most in Summit League and 1.5 steals a game, Minessale is a difference maker on the court. Minessale, in the last game between SDSU and St. Thomas had 14 points while Janowski had 21, tied for the most on his team. Game time between SDSU and the No. 2 team in the Summit League is scheduled tonight at 6 p.m., and can be watched on CBS’s Sports national broadcast.
USD
SDSU’s homestand will continue with an interstate rivalry game between the Jackrabbits and Coyotes. It’ll be the first matchup between the two teams this season and USD will have to overcome one of their biggest weaknesses of the season; playing on the road.
“Our guys feel very confident in this building so it’s just nice to be there back-to-back games,” said Peterson.
The Coyotes are 1-8 on the road, their only win being against Omaha, the No. 4 team in the Summit League. Today they have a chance to improve that record against Kansas City, the No. 8 team in the Summit League, only ahead of Oral Roberts.
USD has a Summit League leader in scoring, rebounding and blocks. Issac Bruns is on top of the scoreboard with an average of more than 20 points a game. Seven-foot-tall Cameron Fens records 8.1 rebounds per game average, 2.5 of them being offensive rebounds. Fens also has 1.5 blocks a game on average. The 5 p.m. Saturday matchup will also be streamed on CBS Sports.
