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November 4, 2026
Collegian Media corrects all confirmed errors that are brought to reporters’ or editors’ attention. After editors confirm the error and the accurate information, the correction will appear as soon as possible on the same platform. Errors that could be libelous or require a more prominent display may require different handling at the editor-in-chief’s discretion. In all cases, transparency in making a correction is essential.
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THE COLLEGIAN REPORT On last week’s Collegian Report, we review the events and crime logs from Hobo Week, highlight the newest college coming to SDSU and have highlights from Brooklyn Meyer’s first game back with Jackrabbit women’s basketball team.
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JACKS HEAD INTO TOURNAMENT RANKED THIRD
Jaclrabbit soccer will host St. Thomas on Friday, Nov. 6 for the first round of the Summit League Tournament. To read more find this story online later this week.
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STUDENT ORGANIZATION HOSTS POLITICIANS Prominent in-state politicians made their last attempts at garnering support before the elections last week. To read more about their visit, find the story online.
BENGS SPEAKS ON DATA CENTERS, MONEY IN POLITICS
Brian Bengs visited Brookings last week on the final leg of his statewide tour discussing issues with South Dakotans. Read more about the discussion online.
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NEWS
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SARA SCHOENFELDER / COLLEGIAN MEDIA Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Daniel Scholl, addressed the senate on Monday, Nov. 2. Scholl talked about the progress SDSU has made to get closer to reaching R1 status.
Scholl updates senate on R1 status
Sara Schoenfelder Assistant News Director
Monday night’s Students’ Association (SA) meeting was led by SA Vice President Megan Christoffels during SA President Sophie Spier’s absence. OPEN FORUM: Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Daniel Scholl discussed SDSU’s progress on the Carnegie Research 1 (R1) designation. SDSU reaching R1 status would place the university, “in the top category of research universities in North America,” according to Scholl. “So, for us it’s about performing well, doing well, providing experiences for students, providing innovations for the economies within which we live,” Scholl said. “And achieving recognition for that which then makes it easier to recruit talent, to recruit students, to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.” Reaching R1 status has two requirements: spending $50 million in research expenditures in a year and awarding 70 or more doctoral degrees per year. “In other words, educating, training, preparing the next wave or the next generation of research leaders at the
highest level possible, and that’s doctoral level education. Everything falls into place behind that,” Scholl said. For SDSU to reach recognition as a R1 university is to award 70 or more doctoral degrees per year. To reach that goal, SDSU would need on average about 330 to 340 Ph.D. students each year, Scholl added. “In 2022, we had 234. In the fall of 2026, we have 311,” Scholl said, explaining that SDSU is getting closer to reaching that goal of about 330 Ph.D. students. Scholl said, “SDSU hasn’t been below $50 million for a long time, and we continue to grow in total research enterprise.” During the last fiscal year, SDSU spent a total of $86 million for research. According to Scholl, funds start with proposals written to granting agencies and in the first quarter of the fiscal year, SDSU’s outgoing funding proposals exceeded $50 million. “That is the largest number or amount of proposals that SDSU faculty and staff have ever submitted during the first quarter of the year,” Scholl said. Scholl added that grants received during the first quarter are “higher than they have ever been before.” These resources and funding help
discover new solutions to problems, Scholl said. “To disseminate knowledge, which is what university is all about, the knowledge has to be created,” Scholl said. Scholl ended his discussion by stating that SDSU is “well on the pathway” to reaching the Carnegie R1 designation. Director of Student Success and Opportunity, Jody Owen, gave a report on the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center. Owen defined the Wintrode Center as “SDSU’s hub for student success.” During the 2025-26 school year, the center fielded nearly 39,000 visits from nearly 5,000 unique students, Owen said. “So, each year we serve close to half of the undergraduate student population at SDSU,” Owen said. She explained that the center is available to help students meet academic challenges. The Wintrode Center employs more than 80 students each semester. “A lot of the development that we do is with our student employees,” Owen said. Owen added that the center employs and serves students from every college at SDSU. “We want to make sure that we have a broad reach and again, that we’re opening up these programs to all stu-
dents across the university.” Owen said that there are some SDSU students who will be affected by military deployment. “We typically limit tutoring to one hour per subject per week,” Owen said. For students facing deployment, this restriction will be lifted up until the time they need to leave. The Wintrode Center will also offer one-on-one success advising for students dealing with military deployment. Owen also mentioned that the center has accountability groups, which is one of the newer programs offered. These are located across campus, and in the past few years they’ve become more popular. “This fall, we had more than 100 students sign up to participate in our accountability groups.” Owen said. Owen added that she is looking forward to seeing how it will grow more in the future. Before ending her report, Owen said that the Wintrode Center has increased its support to first generation college students. In new business, a commemoration was introduced that would let SA recognize November as Native American Heritage Month. This will be voted on at the next SA meeting on Nov. 9.
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NEWS
November 4, 2026
BEHIND THE BLUE JACKETS PHOTOS COURTESY MELBY PHOTOGRAPHY (From left) Jackson Cammack, Aedan Klawonn, Ellie Storm, Ava Couser, Lorick Pirlet and Andy Pruitt
BOBBI EIDE Multimedia Ag Reporter OVERVIEW After representing South Dakota at the National FFA Convention, South Dakota FFA state officers have returned to a full schedule of chapter visits and member engagement across the state. Serving as a South Dakota FFA state officer is a yearlong commitment that extends far beyond conferences and public appearances. While attending college full-time, officers spend designated days at the state FFA office planning events, preparing workshops and coordinating chapter visits. Much of the year is spent traveling across South Dakota, visiting schools, facilitating leadership activities and connecting with members. The following profiles offer a closer look at the six students behind the blue jackets, highlighting the experiences, challenges and motivations that have shaped their year of service. JACKSON CAMMACK Looking back, Jackson Cammack wishes he had taken advantage of more opportunities as a freshman. Today, as South Dakota FFA’s state president, he spends much of his time encouraging members not to make the same mistake. Cammack’s involvement in FFA began during his freshman year. After choosing not to compete in Creed Speaking, he realized what he had missed out on and became determined to get more involved. “I found that encouragement in myself to go do other events and be a little more active within the organization,” Cammack said. He decided to run for state office during his final summer at FFA leadership camp. Surrounded by members who shared stories about the organization’s impact, Cammack reflected on his own experiences and realized he wanted to give back to the organization that gave him so many opportunities. Today, the SDSU student is majoring in agribusiness while also serving as a state officer. While members often see officers leading work-
shops and presentations, Cammack said much of the work happens behind the scenes. “We don’t just show up to a chapter,” he said. “We put in weeks and weeks of work and a lot of hours and a lot of preparation.” The experience has also changed the way he approaches everyday life. Before state office, Cammack described himself as someone who lived day to day. Now, he relies heavily on planning, organization and preparation. “I have to look weeks ahead,” he said, “ to have a plan for whatever comes my way.” That shift has helped him balance state office responsibilities with college coursework while giving him a greater sense of control over his schedule. His understanding of leadership has also evolved. Rather than focusing on status, Cammack now thinks leadership is about meeting people where they are, building relationships and helping them succeed. AEDAN KLAWONN Stepping outside her comfort zone has become a habit for Aedan Klawonn. Today, the South Dakota FFA state vice president is helping members find the confidence to do the same. For Klawonn, FFA has always been part of her story. Encouraged by her father and grandfather, both former FFA members, she became the third generation in her family to wear the blue jacket. Klawonn is a freshman at SDSU, majoring in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine, Klawonn plans to add minors in biology, chemistry and equine studies. She credits FFA with helping her become the person she is today. “I used to be really shy and quiet,” Klawonn said. “FFA helped me become more confident and want to speak up and try new things.” That growth ultimately inspired her to run for state office. “I wanted to help others find the same growth opportunities that FFA gave me,” she said. “I wanted to be a person who helps others feel seen and supported.”
Klawonn said the relationships she built throughout her officer year were the most rewarding part of the experience. Among her favorite experiences were the South Dakota FFA leadership retreats. Having attended the camps as a member, she gained a new perspective when she returned as a state officer. “I went to leadership retreat twice as a member,” Klawonn said. “ Returning once more as an officer was super rewarding. The connections made will always be something I hold onto.” Balancing college classes with a demanding travel schedule requires organization. Fortunately, Klawonn uses her most prized possession, her planner, to stay organized. As her year of service continues, Klawonn hopes members will embrace the lesson that has guided her own journey. “Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable,” she said. “Nobody starts off good at something. If you never step outside your comfort zone, you’re never going to grow.” ELLIE STORM FFA introduced Ellie Storm to agriculture. What began as curiosity about an unfamiliar industry eventually led to statewide leadership. Growing up in Sturgis, SD, a suburban community, Storm had little exposure to traditional agriculture beyond her grandfather’s operation near Fairburn, SD. Today, the SDSU freshman serves as South Dakota FFA’s state secretary while studying rangeland ecology and management and psychology, with plans to possibly add agricultural communications. “I honestly just thought it was a lifestyle,” Storm said. “I didn’t know much about what the word agriculture was until I got to high school and learned about FFA.” Encouraged by her older brother, Storm joined FFA after he recognized her potential and pushed her to challenge herself. His support sparked her interest in leadership and opened doors to opportunities she might not have pursued. “There are too many to count,” Storm said when
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asked about memorable interactions. “Every text, email or casual conversation is memorable.” Among her favorite experiences were the South Dakota FFA summer leadership retreats, where conversations with members often turned into lasting connections. “These camps were amazing for building deep connections with members,” Storm said. “I have loved seeing these members throughout the year and reconnecting with them.” Known among the officer team as an empathetic listener, Storm said her understanding of leadership has evolved during her year. She believes leadership comes not from a position or title, but from understanding personal strengths and using them to serve others. “Everyone has the ability to lead,” Storm said. “Leadership is just how you portray your strengths.” AVA COUSER A handwritten letter reminded Ava Couser why she chose to serve. At the end of an FFA leadership camp, a member handed Couser two pages describing the impact the officers had made, a moment she carries with her today. For Couser, South Dakota FFA’s state treasurer, that letter captured the purpose behind a demanding year of service: making a difference in members’ lives. Couser is majoring in dairy manufacturing with a minor in food safety. While FFA plays a major role in her life today, she didn’t expect to become so involved. “I first got involved in FFA when my dad encouraged me to sign up,” Couser said. “I didn’t really think I would be involved until some upperclassmen were really encouraging me.” Once she became active in her chapter, however, her perspective changed. “ I saw what an amazing organization and chapter it was, and that really sparked my interest,” she said. Among the most meaningful experiences of her year was receiving that handwritten letter from a member following East River Leadership Camp. “It was a great reminder as to why I ran for office,” Couser said. “A great reassurance as to what we’ve been doing.” Serving as a state officer has also given Couser a greater appreciation for her own FFA experience. Visiting chapters across the state exposed her to different circumstances and opportunities, which she said has deepened her gratitude.
NEWS LORICK PIRLET If you had asked Lorick Pirlet a few years ago whether he would become a South Dakota State FFA officer, his answer would have been no. Unlike many members who join FFA in middle school and spend years building their involvement, Pirlet didn’t join until his junior year of high school. At the time, he believed the organization was primarily for students with traditional agricultural backgrounds. “I didn’t think it was for me,” Pirlet said. “I thought it was just for ag kids.” Everything changed when a friend encouraged him. What began as a simple invitation quickly opened the door to leadership opportunities and experiences that reshaped his perspective. “I want to show kids that they don’t have to take that traditional path where they’ve been in FFA their whole middle school and high school career,” Pirlet said. “They’re still able to make an impact if they joined late or aren’t from that traditional ag background.” Today, Pirlet is pursuing degrees in agricultural education and agricultural communications here at SDSU. He is also working toward a leadership minor, dairy science minor, and a coaching certification. As South Dakota FFA’s state reporter, he spends much of his time helping members discover opportunities within the organization. For Pirlet, one of the year’s most meaningful moments came during FFA camp. After the leadership retreat, a member sent the officer team a three-page letter describing the impact they had made on her experience. “It was really cool to realize that just remembering her name and taking time to talk with her made such a difference,” Pirlet said.
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ANDY PRUITT For Andy Pruitt, South Dakota FFA’s state sentinel, the biggest lesson of state office has not been about public speaking, travel or leadership. It has been learning to put others first. Pruitt’s path to FFA wasn’t straightforward. In fact, he initially resisted joining despite encouragement. “What first got me involved was my friends,” Pruitt said. “They really pushed me and kept telling me to join. At first, I said, absolutely not.” Eventually, he tried it during his sophomore year. “I decided to try it just to ‘skip school,’” he said with a laugh. What began as a casual decision quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. Influenced by former state officers and the opportunities FFA provided, Pruitt was inspired by the impact they had on students’ lives. Today, Pruitt is pursuing a degree in agribusiness at South Dakota State University. Pruitt recalls speaking with a member whose father immigrated to the United States as a teenager and worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for his family. The story resonated with Pruitt, who grew up in Dallas, Texas, before moving to South Dakota. “FFA helped me feel at home in a place that was brand new to me,” he said. To read the full story, visit sdsucollegian.com.
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NEWS
SDSUCollegian.com
November 4, 2026
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
New artificial intelligence major offered at SDSU what they have learned to use through a capstone project, where they will work on an engineering design project. “The capstone is the whole program South Dakota State University introduced a new Artificial Intelligence coming together with a design project,” Kavasseri said. (AI) Engineering major this fall, giving Along with giving students anothstudents a chance to explore the grower degree option, SDSU hopes the ing field of AI and prepare for future program will help businesses across careers. the state find workers with experience The program was introduced in in AI. response to student interest, growing “Graduates will be well prepared to workforce demands, and the univermeet the workforce needs of employers sity’s existing faculty expertise. SDSU hopes the new major will give students and support innovation that fuels economic the skills they need for future jobs in growth in sectors important to the AI while helping businesses across South Dakota economy,” Hedge said. South Dakota find qualified workers. Kavasseri said AI engineers could According to SDSU Provost Dennis be useful in many different fields, Hedge, the university considered several factors before deciding to offer the especially in South Dakota’s financial and health care industries. As more new degree. businesses start using AI, they will “The decision to move forward with need people who know how to work the new AI engineering major was with the technology. driven by student interest in integra“I think almost every business intion of Artificial Intelligence systems dustry today is trying to get AI ready,” within engineering design, a rapidly Kavasseri said. growing workforce need in the field, As AI continues to change, the and expertise of the faculty currently university plans to keep the program at SDSU,” Hedge wrote in an email. updated by investing in advanced comThe program offers Bachelor’s, Masputing systems and other technology ter’s and doctoral degrees. According needed for students and faculty. to Hedge, SDSU is one of only a few Kavasseri said one challenge with universities in the country to offer AI the new major is how quickly engineering degrees at all AI is changing. What students three levels. learn about the technology Rajesh Kavasseri, associate now could look different in dean for research in SDSU’s just a few months, making it Jerome J. Lohr College of important for the program to Engineering, said the new keep up. major currently has about “We have to keep pace with six or seven students. He this thing that’s moving at the hopes that number will grow speed of light,” Kavasseri said. as more students hear aboutSDSU is also looking at RAJESH KAVASSERI the program. ways to bring AI into other The major also focuses on areas of study. According to the Hedge, hands-on learning, giving students opthe university is currently working to portunities to apply what they learn in include basic AI skills and knowledge the classroom to engineering projects. across all majors. Kavasseri said students will get to put BELLA FULLER Reporter
KIMBERLY MILLER / COLLEGIAN MEDIA South Dakota State University offers an Artificial Intelligence Engineering major. This major is new to the university as of the fall semester of 2026.
The new major is also part of SDSU’s long-term plans to expand research and innovation. Looking ahead, SDSU officials hope the program will continue to grow and attract students interested in working with artificial intelligence. Kavasseri said he hopes more students become interested in the major and that graduates will eventually use what they learned to work in South
Dakota and the surrounding region. “I hope it is successful and thriving, and there’s a lot of students interested in it,” Kavasseri said. “We anticipate strong enrollment in the program and our goal is to be recognized as a national leader in preparing AI engineers and also known for impactful research contributions in the field,” Hedge said.
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NEWS
SDSU CommUNITY meetings focus on student experiences
SADIE CORDELL Reporter South Dakota State University’s Student Union will host two CommUNITY Meeting Series events this month, starting Wednesday, Nov. 4, that will focus on the experiences of first-generation and international students. The events will give students a chance to learn about different perspectives and better understand the people in their campus community. The first event, “First Gen: Voices & Vision,” will take place today from 3 to 4 p.m. in the upper level of the Student Union in the Lewis & Clark room (262). The event will focus on the experiences of first-generation college students and the support available to them. Tina Birgen, one of the event organizers, said she hopes students leave with a greater appreciation for their experiences and recognize how their challenges can help them grow. “Some of the obstacles that maybe they’ve had in their lives have led them to being stronger, more resilient and determined problem solvers in this world,” Birgen said. Challenges first-generation students may face include finding a sense of belonging, balancing school with personal responsibilities and learning about the resources available on campus. Birgen said having faculty, staff and community members come together to support students can help build their confidence. The event will begin by explaining what it means to be a first-generation college student and going over some common myths and facts. Current first-generation students will also take part in a panel where they can share their experiences, challenges and successes. Birgen said the panelists will discuss their journeys and the unwritten rules of navigating college.
The second event, “What Is…the International Student Experience?” will take place Nov. 19 from 2-3p.m. in the Student Union in the Pheasant & Crest room (253). The event will focus on the experiences of international students at SDSU. Shelly Bayer, who is organizing the event, said she wanted to highlight international students’ experiences and help others better understand the challenges they face. “I think it will be a great way to highlight the resiliency and bring light to the things that they’re facing,” Bayer said. The event will include a Jeopardy-style game where attendees can guess answers to questions about the international student experience. Short videos of international students sharing their perspectives will also be shown. Some questions will be based on a survey of international students. Bayer said the activity is meant to help attendees learn about international students rather than focus on competition. “It’ll be a learning opportunity for everybody in the room,” Bayer said. The event will also address some challenges international students may experience, including language differences and being far away from family. Students may miss family traditions and holidays while studying in another country. The event also will include international treats for attendees to try. Bayer hopes students will enjoy the event while learning something new about their peers. Both events are open to the SDSU community. Virtual attendance is also available through Zoom, with access information available on the Student Union website.
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UPCOMING EVENTS “First Gen: Voices & Vision” WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 3-4 P.M. WHERE: Lewis & Clark room 262, University Student Union (upper level) “What is … the International Student Experience?” WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2-3 P.M. WHERE: Pheasant & Crest room 253, University Student Union (upper level)
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NEWS
November 4, 2026
Photos courtesy of Vernon Brown
EARLY INTRODUCTION
Eighth grade students take part in a science show through the SDSU Connect initiative in October, 2026.
SDSU Connect gives middle schoolers glimpse of college life EMMA LANGEROCK Reporter South Dakota State University is introducing Sioux Falls eighth graders to college life through campus visits intended to encourage them to consider higher education. In early October, students from Sioux Falls public middle schools including Ben Reifel, Edison, Patrick Henry, Whittier, McGovern and Jefferson explored campus and learned more about college life through the SDSU Connect program. Vernon Brown, SDSU’s associate vice president for external affairs,
helps organize these visits. He said his responsibility is to ensure that every Sioux Falls public school eighth grader has a chance to visit SDSU’s campus. One of the program’s goals is to help students see college as a possibility for their futures, Brown said. By showing them real insight into what it is like to be a college student. SDSU hopes to introduce them to opportunities they may not have previously considered. University officials hope to increase enrollment from the Sioux Falls area, Brown said. Sioux Falls is one of the fastest-growing communities in South Dakota, recently exceeding 224,000 residents, and some families moving
to the area may be unfamiliar with the state’s higher education opportunities. “About 40% of these students do not go to any form of higher education,” Brown said. He added that increasing participation in higher learning could benefit South Dakota’s future workforce. Brown said he hopes the visits will encourage students to pursue education after high school, ideally at SDSU. Beyond introducing students to college life, the tours showed them a glimpse of Jackrabbit culture. “We want them to know what it is to be a Jackrabbit,” Brown said. Regen Wiederrich, SDSU’s Con-
nect coordinator, said that about 1,500 students from Sioux Falls schools visit SDSU each year. The program began five years ago, meaning the first group of eighth graders to participate is now reaching college age. Wiederrich said President Barry Dunn’s philosophy, “You can’t be what you can’t see,” reflects the program’s goal of helping students envision themselves pursing higher education. Some students have never visited a college campus before, Wiederrich said, and are surprised by what SDSU has to offer. He added that it is exciting to see students become interested in opportunities they may not have
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known were available to them. The visit includes hands-on activities and projects, academic exploration and a panel of current SDSU students who share experiences and answer questions the eighth graders have. Brown said the students were “super curious” and eager to learn more about college life. “It was really cool to see their eyes light up,” Wiederrich said, describing the excitement of showing students what their future could look like at SDSU. Jeffrey Noll, principal of Patrick Henry, said the experience continues to influence students after they return to school. He sees them wearing their SDSU T-shirts and still talking about the tours even weeks later. Noll said the visits help students see college as something that is within reach. SDSU helps the eighth graders recognize that today’s college students were once in their shoes, making higher education feel like a realistic possibility. Since the tours have begun, enroll-
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ment at SDSU among students from the Sioux Falls area has grown by 4%, Brown said. The program’s impact aims to extend beyond a single campus visit. By introducing students to college early, SDSU hopes to keep higher education in mind as they go through high school. Brown said the goal is to help students see SDSU as a potential college for their future.
“We want them to know what it is to be a Jackrabbit.” VERNON BROWN Assoc. VP for External Affairs
SDSU Connect gives Sioux Falls students the opportunity to explore higher education through interactive tours, student panels, and tabling.
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SPORTS
November 4, 2026
CORDELL VITENSE Sports Director The Jackrabbits women’s basketball team took a heartbreaking opening-night loss on Monday after a buzzer-beater from Creighton sophomore Ava Zediker. Zediker was a standout on the night, scoring a game-high 21 points, including the final two of the game. For the Jacks, it was freshman guard Audrey Shindelar who imprssed in her debut leading the way with 15 points while shooting an efficient 7-for-11 from the floor. Creighton jumped out to a 5-2 lead early, but the Jacks responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead. The Bluejays didn’t get discouraged and eventually grabbed the lead back and took a 21-16 lead into the second quarter. Just under a minute into the second quarter, the Jacks tied it back up following a Claire Sheppard three-pointer and a Shindelar jumper. After not having a lead since 11-9, an Emilee Fox three gave the Jacks a 26-24 advantage with just under five minutes left in the first half. In those five minutes, the Jacks managed to stretch the lead and take a 35-29 advantage. In the second quarter, the Jacks’ defense was on display, allowing just eight points while scoring 19. Coming out of the halftime break, Creighton closed within two, but Fox once again hit from outside to give the Jacks some more breathing room with a 38-33 lead. The Bluejays kept fighting back though and took a 44-43 lead. The Jacks got the lead back and after a Shindelar triple, SDSU held a 57-49 lead, but a Creighton score made it 5751 heading into the final quarter. The Jackrabbits led for most of the fourth, but with under four minutes, a Creighton layup tied the score at 65-65. The Bluejays had to wait to regain the lead, though, as the two teams traded buckets back and forth until the score was knotted at 71-71. With 18 seconds left, Creighton gained control of the ball with the score still tied. Coming out of a timeout, the Bluejays put the ball in the hands of their leading scorer, Zedika.
FRESHMAN SHINES IN OPENING NIGHT LOSS HALEY CHAMPEAU / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
SDSU freshman Audrey Shindelar shoots a three-pointer over a Creigton Defender. Shindelar shot 1-for-3 from three on the game and 7-for-11 from the field scoring 15 points in the Jacks loss.
With about three seconds left, Zedika made her move and she took the ball from the top of the key to inside the right elbow and hoisted up a contested shot that bounced around the rim and fell in with zero on the clock to make the score 73-71.
UNI
The Jacks will look to get their first win of the season at home on Friday when they face the Northern Iowa Panthers at 6 p.m. While the Jacks will look for their first win of the season on Friday, UNI looks to start the season 2-0. The Panthers got a 67-59 win over St. Thomas Monday night at home in Iowa. Against St. Thomas, the Panthers had a balanced scoring offense with
three players scoring in double digits. Sophomore Abby Tuttle scored 16 and grabbed three steals. Tuttle looks to take a big leap in her second year. During her freshman season, Tuttle averaged less than 11 minutes per game off the bench while scoring 2.4 points per game. Junior Callie Levin started her junior year with 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting from the field. In 32 minutes of play, Levin also grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists. Senior guard Jenna Twedt struggled from the floor on Monday, shooting just 2-for-7, but she did go 8-for-8 from the free-throw line to help her score 13 points. Last season, Twedt led the team in scoring, averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting 37.5% from behind the arc.
But there will be a lot of new faces besides Twedt when it comes to scoring, as the team’s second, third and fourth leading scorers are no longer with the team. Two of the three graduated and Bri Robinson took her talents to South Dakota to play for the Yotes. In the two teams’ matchup history, SDSU holds a 14-5 advantage in wins, but the last time the two teams met up, it was a close fight. Last season, when SDSU traveled to Cedar Falls, the Jacks walked away with a tight 59-57 win. The Jacks are currently on a fourgame win streak against the Panthers, with the last loss coming in 2021. After facing the Panthers, the Jacks will travel to Austin, Texas, to take on the high-powered Longhorns on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
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Jacks upset Kansas State
his shots. Wingert is also averaging a team-high six rebounds per game. Senior forward Colby Collison is second on the team in scoring with 18.7 points per game. So far, Collison has been very consistent, scoring 18 points on opening night and 19 in the following two games. Collison leads the team in minutes with an astounding 39.3 minutes per game. In the first two games of the year, Collison played all 40 minutes before playing 38 in the third game. Collison is also second on the team, averaging five rebounds. The Jacks have played Briar Cliff five times, winning three while losing two. The last time these two teams played was on Dec. 17, 1988. For perspective, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” by Poison was sitting second on the Billboard Hot 100 after being released just over two months earlier. During the 1988 matchup, SDSU broke a losing streak of two games against Briar Cliff when they got a 9965 win. After the Jacks’ play against Briar Cliff on Friday, they will stay home and host Valparaiso on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
CORDELL VITENSE Sports Director
The men’s basketball team got their first Power Conference win since 2021 on the road against Kansas State on Tuesday night with a 68-66 victory. To start the game both teams came out firing from deep with each of the teams first baskets being three-pointers. Kansas State hit first, followed by Davis Kern for SDSU. And Kern didn’t stop there, hitting the first three baskets for the Jacks, all three from deep to give SDSU a 9-7 advantage. The Jacks continued to hold the lead, stretching their advantage to 25-14 with just over seven minutes left in the first half. After a run down the stretch, Kansas State closed back in, down just four with 34 seconds to play in the half. Jackrabbit freshman Semaj Stampley extended the lead right before the half with a three-pointer to put the halftime score at 35-28. Coming out of the half, the Wildcats caught fire from outside with their first four scores of the half all coming from three-point range to give them a 40-38 lead. The Wildcats then moved inside, scoring two buckets to give themselves a 44-38 lead. The Jacks stayed close but couldn’t grab the lead back, trailing 54-49 with under nine minutes to play. SDSU then put together a 9-0 run, including two threes, one from Joe Sayler and one from Kern, to put the Jacks up 58-54. But that advantage didn’t last long, as with just over four minutes to play, Kansas State tied it up 58-58. With the score tied 60-60, SDSU once again put together a run, this time a 5-0 run with all five coming from Kern, including two free throws and another outside jumper. The Jacks maintained the lead and had the ball up two with less than 10 seconds left, with Kalen Gary at the free-throw line. Gary missed his free throw, giving Kansas State another shot, but the
FINN HOLSEN / COLLEGIAN MEDIA FILE PHOTO
File Photo of Joe Sayler laying the ball up against USD on Saturday Feb. 7 2026. Sayler scored 10 points against Kansas State on Tuesday night.
Wildcats couldn’t capitalize and SDSU got the 68-66 win. Redshirt freshman Davis Kern was the story of the game, scoring 24 points shooting 7-for-15 from the floor and 5-for-8 behind the arc. Pape N’Diyae was the leading scorer for the Wildcats, dropping 18 on 5-for-8 shooting and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.
BRIAR CLIFF
The Jacks now look ahead to the NAIA university Briar Cliff on Friday when they play the second half of a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader at home on Friday, Nov. 6. While this will only be the Jacks’ sec-
ond game of the season, the Chargers will have already played four games before facing SDSU. Briar Cliff is currently 1-2 and plays York University Wednesday. The Chargers opened the season with a win over Mount Mercy before dropping the next two. Junior and South Dakota native Jaxson Wingert has gotten off to a very hot start for the Chargers, averaging nearly 25 points per game. This season, Wingert is scoring 24.3 points per game, with his biggest game coming on opening night when he dropped 29. Wingert is not only scoring, but he is doing so efficiently, hitting on 65% of
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SDSUCollegian.com
Distance Dynasty
November 4, 2026
Jackrabbit mens team grabs 11th straight title NATHAN THOMPSON Assistant Sports Director After their week of rest, the SDSU cross country team traveled to St. Paul for the Summit League championship race.
WOMEN’S RACE
The women’s race was very competitive, with second and third places being separated by seven points. The Jackrabbits had to settle for fourth place however, with 106 points, 39 points away from third place. Of the eight teams competing, SDSU was one of three teams to not feature a runner in the top 10. UND dominated competition with all of their scorers finishing in the top seven. SDSU’s first place runner was, no surprise, Faith Wiese. Wiese ran in the top 10 for much of the race before falling to 14th around halfway in. Her time of 21:21, while not a best time, promises a bright future, being faster than Summit League champion Shewaye Johnson’s freshman best time, and earning her second team honors in the Summit. Second for the Jackrabbits, in 21st place was Kelsey Schmidt. The sophomore had been running in third for much of the season, with her best time being sixth best on the team. She found herself exceeding both that number, and her number 35 ranking in the summit league with her time of 21:57. The final three scorers Jackrabbits ran together pretty much the whole race. From start to finish, they stayed within five seconds of each other, and all finished within the same 1.3 second margin. First in this pack was Nora Peterson, who ran 22:04.1, about as close as you can get was her teammate Nicole Swanson, who ran 22:04.5. Annie Robinson right behind them to round out the Jackrabbit’s point total at 106, in 22:05. While the scoring ended
with Robinson, this tight pack of Jackrabbit runners didn’t as Eleni Lovgren finished at 22:06. These four earned 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th place in quick succession. Other Jackrabbits who competed on the women’s end of the event were Ella Boekelheide who ran a new personal best time of 22:44. Annika Larson who ran 22:50, Ellie Robinson who ran 23:09 and Ashley Overgaauw who ran 23:29.
MEN’S RACE
The SDSU men competed in a very tight battle for the men’s championship title, with 11 points between first place and second place. The Jackrabbits would end up winning their 11th straight title, extending one of the strongest dynasties in the running world. In first place for SDSU, and fourth overall was sophomore Eli Hall. Hall was sixth on the team at the Gans Creek Classic and fourth on the team at Pre-Nationals. But his four seconds PR of 24:08 put him at the front of the team in their most important meet yet. Hall opened in 11th overall, third on the team, before making his move to the front in the fourth kilometer. The second fastest Jackrabbit was Jackson Dutcher, who ran in the top 10 the whole race, and finished at 6th with a time of 24:20. Dutcher was the leader of a pack of Jackrabbits. Although the pack was not as tight as the women’s 3-6, their spread was still really tight. With Cashton Johnson running 24:23, Brandon Kampsen behind him at 24:34 and rounding out the scorers with a time of 24:38 was Cade Sanvik. These Jackrabbits earned seventh, eighth and ninth all in quick succession. Other Jackrabbits were Will Lohr in 16th, running 24:55, Jared Lutmer running his season’s best time of 25:01 for a 19th place finish. Owen Stuwe, a consistent Jackrabbit seventh took that title yet again, 24th overall at 25:08. Sully Anez ran 25:29 for 32nd, and Dale
SDSU ATHLETICS
The men’s cross country team celebrates their 11th Summit League title in as many years.
Johnson finished 47th at the meet with a time of 25:59. Hall, Dutcher and Johnson all earned first team honors, while Kampsen and Sanvik were the top two on the second team. Owen Stuwe won “newcomer of the championship.”
TAKEAWAYS
On the women’s cross country team, it is easy to point fingers at the absence of Meghan Ford. Ford, who was expected to lead the team, and maybe even the Summit League in the 6K this year was noticeably absent with injury this season. While Ford would certainly have made an impact on the team’s score, it wouldn’t have been nearly enough to overcome the 39 point barrier separating the team from a top three finish. The real silver lining for the girls is their youth. Four of the top
five and five of the top seven are underclassmen, indicating the height of their success may be yet to come. Peterson, Swanson and Robinson are all returning next year, and if they can stay that close, but move into the top 15-20 spots, that would make a huge impact for the team’s overall score. The men’s team had to perform, and they did. Five in the top 10, seven in the top 20, clearly they have the depth to win the Summit League, even if their top guys have an off day. A focus for them should be individual performers.
UPCOMING
The teams will head to Ames, Iowa on Nov.13 for the regional meet. This meet features the best competition from NCAA D1 cross country teams in the surrounding states.
Jacks bounce back
November 4, 2026 SDSUCollegian.com
SPORTS
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CORDELL VITENSE Sports Director
The Jacks went 1-1 in their last two losing to St. Thomas before getting a win against Omaha
ST. THOMAS
The Jacks took the first set against the Tommies, winning 26-24 in a backand-forth affair. St. Thomas responded in a big way, taking the next two sets 25-18, then 25-21. The Jacks answered the bell with their backs against the wall in the fourth, winning 25-22. In the fifth and final set, the Jacks had a chance to seal the win after a Brooke Larsen kill put them up 15-14, but the Tommies tied it up. Marisa Michaelis also put the Jacks just one point from a win after a kill gave SDSU a 16-15 lead. SDSU didn’t capitalize, though and the Tommies ripped off three straight points to win 18-16.
OMAHA
In the first set, Omaha took control early, jumping out to a 5-2 lead. After a Jackrabbit run, a Sylvie Zgonc kill put the score at 10-9 with SDSU trailing. That was the closest the Jacks were able to get, though, as Omaha rallied back and took the first set 25-20. After trailing 2-1 in the second set, SDSU went on a run and captured the lead, stretching the lead to 8-4. The Jacks continued to maintain and extend the gap throughout the rest of the set, eventually getting a 25-16 win. The Jacks and Mavs went back and forth to start the third set, with the score tied 10 times in the first 20 points of the set. Seven points ended up being the biggest lead for either team in the set, with SDSU holding a 21-14 lead. The big advantage didn’t last long as Omaha rallied to cut the lead to just three with a score of 23-20. But SDSU held on to win 25-21. In the fourth set, Omaha, looking
SUSANNA SCHAEFER / COLLEGIAN MEDIA Senior Sylvie Zgonc goes up for a kill against Omaha on Oct. 31. Zgonc finished the match with 28 kills and 31 points to help lead the Jacks past the Mavs.
to stay alive in the match, got out to a 10-6 lead but the Jacks replied with a 4-0 run to tie it up. Omaha then took a 13-10 lead before another SDSU run resulted in the Jacks holding a 15-13 lead. The set was once again tied at 17-17, but after that it was all Mavericks as they outscored the Jacks 8-1 to take the set for a four-set win. In the fifth and final set with the match on the line, the two teams traded body blows, resulting in an 11-10 Omaha lead. The two teams continued to fight, tying the set at 13-13. The combination of Taylor Byl and Hannah Klein stuffed the Mavs two times in a row for blocks, resulting in a 15-13 win. Zgonc was the standout of the match, racking up 31 points on 28 kills. No other Jackrabbit had more than nine kills. After her big performance, Zgonc is now third all-time on the Jackrabbit kills list with 1,721, just three behind Rose Ebnet, who sits second. Kristina Martin has the most kills in
SDSU history with 1765. Zgonc is only 44 away from that mark, which means if she averaged 11 kills per match in the final four games of the regular season, she would match Martin’s total. For Omaha, the scoring trio of Madison Corf, Faith Venable and Lara Maric contributed a lot of the Mavs’ offense. Corf ended with 19 kills, followed by Venable and Maric, who both contributed 17.
ORAL ROBERTS
After getting back on track with a win over Omaha, SDSU now looks ahead to their next matchup in Tulsa against ORU on Thursday, Oct. 5. This will be the second matchup with Oral Roberts for the Jacks this season. In the first matchup in Brookings in early October, the Jacks got a sweep, outscoring the Golden Eagles 75-43. In the first matchup of the year, ORU didn’t have an answer for Hannah
Klein or Zgonc, as Klein ended with 15 points and Zgonc with 14, which were the first and second-highest totals in the match. ORU has been struggling in conference play, to say the least. The Golden Eagles are currently 0-10 in conference play and have won only two sets while losing 30. Both of those set wins came against Omaha on Oct. 15, meaning the Golden Eagles have been swept in nine of their 10 conference matches. While only playing in 17 of the team’s 21 matches, junior Cortnee Smith leads the Golden Eagles with 210 kills, averaging 3.33 kills per set. Smith has tallied 227.5 points on the year, which is tied for first with freshman Ciara Cunningham. Cunningham has 187 kills, 19 service aces and 39 blocks. All of which are second on the team. The match against ORU is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and can be watched on the Summit League Network.
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SDSUCollegian.com
SPORTS
March 11, 2026
Jacks treat fans to rivalry win
NATHAN THOMPSON Assistant Sports Director The Jackrabbits were met with thunderous applause, and a wave of towels as they took the field in their highly anticipated Halloween game. Their opponents, the Coyotes of USD, were not greeted as warmly, as Dana J Dykehouse stadium filled with boos, the interstate rivalry taking center stage in the South Dakota sports world. The last time these two teams met was on USD’s turf. The Coyotes got the best of the Jackrabbits in that outing, winning 24-17. While they fell in Vermillion, the Jackrabbits have kept the Coyotes winless in Brookings since the year 2000. On the game’s opening drive, quarterback Chase Mason led the Jackrabbits into Coyote territory. The drive quickly took a turn for the worse, as a jet sweep mis-communication between Mason and wide receiver Lofton O’Groske led to a fumble that USD recovered. The Jackrabbits defense came up big, as Reis Kirschenman sacked USD quarterback Austyn Modrzewski for a nine yard loss on third down, leading to a three and out. The game’s first score would come with a minute to play in the first, as a 30-yard reception by SDSU’s Grahm Goering set up a James Basinger touchdown to give the Jacks a 7-0 lead. While the score was close after the first quarter, SDSU held all the momentum, having all seven of the game’s first downs, and 121 yards, as opposed to USD’s -21. The second quarter didn’t hold much better for the Coyotes, as their offense continued to play three and long, with so much as a first down still evading them. The Jackrabbits, on the other hand, kept on trucking with connections from Mason to Goering and tight end Coleman Kuntz. Johnson’s legs added over 20 yards to the 64 yard drive, which resulted in a Jack Smith touchdown, and a 14 point Jackrabbit lead.
OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA Running back Josiah Johnson charges into the endzone for SDSU’s fourth touchdown of the night. Johnson would finish the game with 126 yards off 23 carries.
On their next possession, SDSU opened with three straight 11 yard rushes, before a 35 yard catch by Smith set up the 11 yard pass to Bradyen Delahoyde, which was caught in the endzone to extend the Jackrabbit lead to 21. The Coyotes moved the chains for the first time on their next drive, but their drive ended after six plays as they failed to cross the 50-yard line. On their next possession, the Coyotes crossed the 50-yard line. On fourth down, they opted to attempt a 58 yard field goal. The record for longest field goal in an SDSU game is 51 yards, set by Hall of Famer and SDSU alumni Adam Vinatieri. The kick had the length, but doinked off the right upright, keeping USD scoreless as the first half expired. At the half, it was the SDSU show the whole way. Putting up 315 yards of
offense and 18 first downs in front of their home crowd, while allowing just 44 yards and three first downs. SDSU’s lead rusher was Basinger, at 63 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Smith had five receptions, and with 84 yards and a touchdown of his own. The second half opened with the two teams trading punts back and forth. The only score of the third quarter came as SDSU returned a punt to the third yard line. From there, they did what they had been doing all game and picked up first downs. A 15 yard Delahoyde catch set up the five yard touchdown by Johnson, and the Jackrabbits led 28-0. The Coyotes seemed to find some of their lost momentum on their very next drive, as Modrzewski completed multiple passes for 15 yards or more to receiver Brayden White. This, combined with actually being able to rush
When: Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. Where: Cedar Falls, Iowa TV: ESPN+ Radio: Jackrabbit Sports Network Records: UNI 4-4 SDSU 7-2 Last meeting: Oct. 11, 2025 in SD. Series: 58-53-7 SDSU Last week: UNI 45-23 W; SDSU 31-21 W UNI on offense: UNI averages 334 yards per game and score 27 points per game. They are led by a passing offense that averages 7.20 yards per attempt and 210 per game. Brady McCullough leads the team in recieving yards (306), yards per game (38.3), and touchdowns (5), on only 17 receptions. Jacks on offense: SDSU averages 472.8 yards per game and score 37.12 points per game. The Jacks are headlined by a running game that averages 263.4 yards per game. Josiah Johsnon leads the team with 826 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. James Basinger is second on the team with 564 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging a team high 11.6 yards per carry. UNI on defense: 408.6 yards allowed per game while allowing 27.38 points per game. UNI give up an average of 178 rushing yards per game and 230 yards pass per game. Jacks on defense: 295.2 yards allowed per game and and 15.75 points per game. Jes Krcil leads the Jacks with 51 tackles and is third with 3.5 tackles for loss this season. Quick facts: Last weeks home win against USD was SDSU’s 200th win in DI competition. They are 7-0 when scoring first. For UNI, running back Christian Collins is coming off a 107 yard game against Indiana State where he had two touchdowns. Xaiver Terrell also had an 100+ yards in the same game.
NOVEMBER 4, 2026 SDSUCollegian.com for positive yards put the Coyotes in the red zone for the first time all game. Heading into the fourth quarter, USD faced fourth and four on the 14 yard line. The Coyotes were unwilling to settle for just the first down, going for the endzone. The ball was bobbled incomplete, but a pass interference call gave them even better field position, with the ball on the two yard line. The defense got a tackle for loss on the next play, but the Coyotes were simply too close, as White scored his team’s first touchdown of the game. The Coyotes made it all the way into the endzone to start the fourth quarter. Quarterback Austyn Modrzewski completed multiple passes for 15 yards or more to receiver Brayden White. This, combined with actually being able to rush for positive yards put the Coyotes in the red zone for the first time all game. Heading into the fourth quarter, USD faced fourth and four on the 14 yard line. The Coyotes were unwilling to settle for just the first down, going for the endzone. The ball was bobbled incomplete, but a pass interference call gave them even better field position, with the ball on the two yard line. The defense got a tackle for loss on the next play, but the Coyotes were simply too close, as White scored his team’s first touchdown of the game. A personal foul and ejection of USD linebacker Gabriel Hardman set the Jackrabbits up in the redzone, before multiple plays for less left them forced to attempt a 51 yard field goal. They missed short, and the game remained 28-7. USD only needed 33 seconds to capitalize on the miss. On the second play of their drive, USD receiver Bryce Cohoon caught a pass at the 41 yard line, and ran it all the way to the endzone. With 6:30 left to play in the game, USD had finally woken up and cut their deficit to half of what it was just a few minutes earlier. The Coyote offense had finally found some legs, and their defense responded accordingly, able to stop Basinger on third down to force a punt. USD got the ball back with four minutes left in the game, looking for yet another big play. It came in the form of a 15 yard
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OWEN BOYD / COLLEGIAN MEDIA
Wide Reciever Jack Smith lines up against USD’s Tim White. Smith would lead the team in recieving with 84 yards and a touchdown on five recpetions.
roughing the passer call. USD, not receiving any treats from SDSU all game, had to resort to a trick. What looked like a normal run play turned into a wide open touchdown pass on a flea flicker play. Suddenly, the Coyotes found themselves in striking range, with the score at 28-21, with 2:09 to play. One stop away from potential overtime, the USD defense took the field. All of a sudden, it was third down. SDSU stared third and three in the face. Perhaps the biggest play of the game, with exactly two minutes on the clock. Mason kept it, and dropped the shoulder to pick up the three yards needed. SDSU kicked a field goal to seal away the game, which they won 31-21. “We were all thinking ‘get the first down,’” Mason said. “ I don’t know why I pulled the ball…I’m glad I made the right decision.” Any hope that the Coyotes had disappeared as Johnson broke through the defensive line to pick up 45 yards,
bringing his team to the Coyote’s 35. The result of the drive was a field goal on fourth and four, officially keeping the game out of USD’s reach, leaving just 19 seconds left on the clock. SDSU will play the University of Northern Iowa on the road next week. UNI is fifth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The Panthers are 4-4 overall, with all of their wins being home games. They are 3-2 in conference games. The Jackrabbits are second in the MVFC and 7-2 overall. They are 1-2SDSU invites the challenge of handing them their first home loss. “We’re always hungry for more,” said senior Linebacker Cullen McShane. “That’s how it’s always gonna be.”
FAST STATS
(USD/SDSU) 1st Downs: 13 26 3rd down efficiency: 3-11 / 5-13 4th down efficiency: 0-0 / 2-2 Total Yards: 252 459 Passing: 233 232 Comp/Att 21/27 16/26 Yards per pass: 8.6 8.9 Rushing: 19 227 Rushing Attempts: 27 / 49 Yards per rush: 0.7 / 4.6 Penalties: 3-25 / 5-68 Fumbles lost: 1 / 1 Possession: 26:05 33:55
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