South Dakota Athletes Shine at Husker Spring Kickoff

Coyote pole vaulters and jumpers excel despite home meet cancellation

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:22am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a pole vaulting competition, with the athlete's body and the pole broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color, capturing the dynamic motion and energy of the sport.The Husker Spring Kickoff showcased the South Dakota track and field team's resilience and adaptability as they overcame a cancelled home meet to deliver standout performances.Lincoln Today

South Dakota's track and field athletes traveled to Lincoln, Nebraska, last Friday to compete in the Husker Spring Kickoff after their home USD Early Bird meet was cancelled due to weather. Several Coyote athletes had standout performances, including a second-place finish in the men's high jump, a third-place finish in the women's high jump, and multiple top finishes in the pole vault events for both the men's and women's teams.

Why it matters

The Husker Spring Kickoff provided an important opportunity for the South Dakota track and field team to compete and gain valuable experience after their home meet was cancelled. The team's strong showings demonstrate their resilience and ability to adapt to changes in their schedule, which will be crucial as they continue their outdoor season.

The details

At the Husker Spring Kickoff, senior Landon Olson finished second in the men's high jump with a height of 6'8'', while junior Maddie Olson took third in the women's high jump at 5'5''. In the pole vault events, sophomore Anna Willis earned a silver medal, junior Kailee Swart placed fifth, and freshman Ciana Stiefel finished sixth on the women's side. On the men's side, junior Wyatt Stewart earned the bronze medal, and freshman Dutch Neuweiler set a personal best with a height of 5.15 meters.

  • The USD Early Bird meet, originally scheduled for April 3-4, was cancelled due to weather.
  • The Husker Spring Kickoff took place on Friday, April 3.

The players

Landon Olson

A senior on the South Dakota track and field team who finished second in the men's high jump at the Husker Spring Kickoff.

Maddie Olson

A junior on the South Dakota track and field team who placed third in the women's high jump at the Husker Spring Kickoff.

Anna Willis

A sophomore on the South Dakota track and field team who earned a silver medal in the women's pole vault at the Husker Spring Kickoff and was named the peak performer of the week.

Wyatt Stewart

A junior on the South Dakota track and field team who earned the bronze medal in the men's pole vault at the Husker Spring Kickoff.

Dutch Neuweiler

A freshman on the South Dakota track and field team who set a personal best in the men's pole vault at the Husker Spring Kickoff.

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What they’re saying

“The Husker Spring Kickoff provided an important opportunity for our team to compete and gain valuable experience after our home meet was cancelled.”

— Landon Olson, Senior, South Dakota Track and Field

What’s next

South Dakota has scheduled the USD Snooze Button Classic for April 8 to replace the cancelled Early Bird meet. The team also heads to Sioux City for the Sioux City Relays on April 10 and 11.

The takeaway

The South Dakota track and field team's strong performances at the Husker Spring Kickoff, despite the cancellation of their home meet, demonstrate their resilience and ability to adapt to changes in their schedule, which will be crucial as they continue their outdoor season.