USF Track Perseveres story by Jaymeson Wolkow
Sophomore Cassidy Noelder long jumping at USD meet
Freshman Emily Swanson pole vaulting at the Wayne State meet
Cassidy Noelder triple jumping at USD meet
After months of training and competing indoors, the University of Sioux Falls Track and Field team is finally back outside for their first outdoor season since 2019. The Cougars officially kicked off the spring season on March 26th and 27th in Wayne Nebraska and will compete in meets every week until May. Even though the team is moving outdoors, coaches and athletes are still working hard to stay safe and healthy by continuing to follow COVID protocols while at practice and meets. “Part of the NCAA Covid protocol, is our athletes are getting tested on a weekly basis,” says Doug Peterson, the Head Coach of the Cougars Track and Field team. “Event group coaches are splitting up and making their practice groups smaller, masks are required at practices, and just social distancing.” Even though this season is sure to be a season full of unique challenges, the team’s morale is still at an all-time high. Freshman thrower Dawson Davito captured that enthusiasm, saying “It’s always just fun to hang out with the guys and even better just throwing every day. We’re lucky to even have this, honestly, and we just kind of thank God that we’re doing it.” The Cougar’s championship season begins in May with the NSIC conference meet at The University of Minnesota Duluth on the 13th-15th with hopes of sending a few individuals on to the NCAA Division II National Meet in Allendale Michigan on the 27th-29th. You can keep up to date with all things Cougar Track and Field by following their social media pages, @USFTFCC on Twitter and @usf_tfxc on Instagram. photos courtesy of Clara Leverich
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@USFTFCC
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