January 18, 2025

VERMILLION, S.D. – The Dakota State University Trojan women's 4 x 400-meter relay team highlighted the NCAA Division I meet, the University of South Dakota Invitational, with a new school record Saturday afternoon.  The indoor track & field meet was held on Mildred J. Hillenbrand Memorial Track inside the USD DakotaDome, featuring teams from NCAA Division I schools South Dakota State, South Dakota, NCAA Division II Sioux Falls (S.D.), and NAIA's schools DSU and Morningside (Iowa).

The Trojans closed the day with a new school record after winning the 4 x 400-meter relay, defeating SDSU, USD, and Morningside.  The members of Amelie Steins, Raylee Wallis, Anna Schneider, and Molli Thornton clocked a time of 4 minutes, 4.10 seconds to win the title.

The previous record was set last season by Thornton, Schneider, Bethany Lawson, and Wallis with a time of 4 minutes, 5.64 seconds.

Thornton leaped 5.18 meters (17 feet) to place fifth in the long jump for Dakota State.  Casey Olson registered 4.81 meters (15 feet, 9.5 inches) in the long jump.

Olson produced a personal best time of 9.93 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles.

Steins clocked a time of 8.16 seconds in the 60-meter prelims for the Trojans.  Averie Marshall added a time of 8.49 seconds, followed by Bridget Bartling with a time of 8.56 seconds.

Lawson was 11^th in the 200-meter dash in 27.82 seconds.  Bartling finished the race in 29.53 seconds, followed by Marshall in 29.54 seconds, and Shakiera Gronenthal in 30.77 seconds.

Kierra Miller led the Trojans with a time of 11 minutes, 25.04 seconds for a sixth-place finish in the 3000-meters.  Lindsey Roth was ninth in the 1-mile run after registering a time of 5 minutes, 31.08 seconds.  Madelyn Sylva added a time of 5:39.40, followed by Brooke Beaucaire with a personal record time of 5:39.90.  Saddie Palmquist finished with a time of 5:58.85.

Gabriella Peitzmeier tossed a personal best 15.52 meters (50 feet, 11 inches) to place sixth in the weight throw.  Her toss is the sixth farthest weight throw mark in the DSU women's indoor track & field school record book.  Kiana Mounga added a career best 14.22 meters (46 feet, 8 inches) to finish 10^th.  Lilly Young followed up with 14.00 meters toss (45 feet, 11.25 inches), McKenna McIlravy 10.35 meters (33 feet, 11.5 inches), and Mia Mather with a personal best 8.84 meters (29 feet).

Bella Maxwell led the Trojans with 10.71 meters shot-put toss (35 feet, 1.75 inches).  Alivia Bickett threw 10.14 meters (33 feet, 3.25 inches), followed by Young with 9.83 meters mark (32 feet, 3 inches).

Dakota State stays in the state of South Dakota next Saturday, traveling to Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex for the Jim Emmerich Alumni meet hosted by South Dakota State.  The first events are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. in Brookings.