June 27, 2025
MADISON, S.D. – First year head coach
Alex Glover is excited to announce the hiring of Shandon Reitzell as the Dakota State track & field assistant coach. Reitzell began his duties earlier this week. He will primarily focus on the jumpers and pole vaulters for the Trojan track & field squads.
""I am so excited to welcome coach Reitzell to Madison and to the DSU track & field family," said Glover. "He was a special athlete that I know is going to be a special coach and will be transformational for our jumps/vaults squad.
"He comes from a great jumps program and brings along the knowledge and experience needed to take that group to the next level," added Glover. "There are so many positives from his own athletic career that he is going to be able to carry over to how he coaches his athletes here at Dakota State."
Reitzell comes from Midland (Neb.) where he was a five-time NAIA national champion in the high jump (2021 indoor, 2021 outdoor, 2022 indoor, 2023 outdoor, and 2024 outdoor). He amassed eight total NAIA All-American status during his career.
Reitzell was an integral member of the Warrior men's track & field team that finished in the 'Top 10' at the NAIA national meet five times (6
th in 2022 indoor, 7
th in 2023 outdoor, 6
th in 2024 indoor, 9
th in 2024 outdoor, and 6
th in 2025 indoor). He was also on the Midland's indoor track & field squad that finished 11
th at the 2023 indoor national meet.
His impressive collegiate resume also included a seven-time Great Plains Athletic Conference champion in the high jump (combined indoor and outdoor). He hit his personal record high jump of 2.20 meters (7 feet, 2.25 inches). Reitzell's highlight also included winning the 2021 Drake Relays high jump event.
He was a member of the Midland that was ranked No. 1 overall ranked men's high jumps squad across all levels of college track with an average of 2.12 meters (6 feet, 11.5 inches).
"He [Shandon] has already displayed a passion for track and field that is infectious and will be the type of leader that will help his athletes compete at a championship level, which is where we expect to and always strive to be as a program," stated Glover. "I know he will be a great role model for our team, both on and off the track - showing them how to not only be successful student-athletes but also successful people."
Reitzell, a native of Houston, Texas, graduated from Midland University with a bachelor's degree in sports management.
"He is also someone that will no doubt fit in with the rest of our coaching staff, which is something that was important to me throughout this process," emphasized Glover. "It was easy to see through his interviews that he holds a lot of the same values that we do; showing his athletes that he is invested in them as people and not just as athletes, recruiting good people that are passionate about track and field, and understanding that the retention and development of the student-athletes within the program are the keys to having a successful and sustainable track & field program."
"I am beyond excited to get to work with him, and even more excited for the student-athletes that get to learn from him," said Glover.
