March 26, 2026
MADISON, S.D. – The Dakota State University outdoor track & field teams continue their busy outdoor track & field schedule Friday and Saturday as they compete in the two-day Wildcat Classic. The outdoor track & field meet is being held at WSC Memorial Stadium (1111 Main Street) on the campus of NCAA Division II Wayne State.
The first day of the meet will hold two throwing events, starting with the javelin men's and women's hammer at 1 p.m. Then, the women's javelin and men's hammer will follow the conclusion of each of the first throwing events.
Saturday's full day of events start at 11 a.m. with the field events in discus and shot put. The long jump for both men's and women's are set for 12 p.m., as well as pole vault. The high jump is scheduled for 1 p.m. The running events start at 1 p.m. with the 3000-meter steeplechase and conclude at 6:15 p.m. with the 4 x 400-meter relay.
Steins earn first-ever Erck Hotels/Frontier Conference Women's Outdoor Track Athlete-of-the-Meet
- Amelie Steins was named to the Erck Hotels/Frontier Conference Women's Outdoor Track Athlete-of-the-Week, announced earlier this week in the inaugural year with the league.
- She was part of three new Dakota State's school program records during their season opening meet at Central Methodist (Mo.) Open on March 21.
- Steins established a new school record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.46 seconds, placing second in the event. She broke previous record held by Fane Sauvakacolo with a time of 14.65 seconds in 2023.
- Steins added a new school record in the high jump, hitting the NAIA 'B' provisional national qualifying mark. She leaped 5.78 meters (18 feet, 11.75 inches), breaking the previous school record that was held for nearly 20 years by Jayna Goodroad with a 5.62 meters mark (18 feet, 5 inches).
- Steins was a member of the 4 x 400-meter relay team with Anna Schneider, Molli Thornton, and RayLee Wallis that produced a new school record time of 3 minutes, 56.23 seconds. That same relay team members had the previous school record of 3 minutes, 57.27 seconds last season.
Four DSU athletes produce NAIA national qualifying marks
- Four Dakota State field athletes had produced NAIA 'B' provisional national qualifying marks after their season opener at Central Methodist (Mo.) Open.
- Amelie Steins ranks third in the NAIA women's long jump after leaping 5.78 meters (18 feet, 11.75 inches).
- Oliviyah Thornton threw the national qualifying mark of 14.09 meters (46 feet, 2.75 inches) in the shot put. She is currently second in the NAIA women's shot put.
- Oliver Tordsen hit a national qualifying mark in his collegiate outdoor track & field season debut, hitting 50.87 meters (166 feet, 11 inches) in the discus. He is third in the NAIA men's discus.
- Zachary Haugen added the national qualifying mark in the hammer throw, hitting 55.40 meters (181 feet, 9 inches). His hammer throw is the fifth best in the NAIA.
2026 Dakota State University Trojan Outdoor Track & Field Top Marks
2026 Dakota State University NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Qualifiers list
| Athlete |
Event |
NAIA Standard |
Where/When Qualifying Mark Set |
| Amelie Steins |
Long Jump |
B Provisional |
5.78 meters (18 feet, 11.75 inches)
Central Methodist (Mo.) Open – March 21 |
| Oliviyah Thornton |
Shot Put |
B Provisional |
14.09 meters (46 feet, 2.75 inches)
Central Methodist (Mo.) Open – March 21 |
| Oliver Tordsen |
Discus |
B Provisional |
50.87 meters (166 feet, 11 inches)
Central Methodist (Mo.) Open – March 21 |
| Zachary Haugen |
Hammer Throw |
B Provisional |
55.40 meters (181 feet, 9 inches)
Central Methodist (Mo.) Open – March 21 |
