April 22, 2026

YANKTON, S.D. – Dakota State (S.D.) kicked off their busiest week in outdoor track & field Wednesday, competing in the Mount Marty (S.D.) Twilight meet at Williams Field.  The Trojans captured two women's event titles, to go along with three different athletes producing NAIA national qualifying marks.

Daynica Witzel highlighted the day with a new school record, improving her personal record 42.23 meters (138 feet, 6 inches) to win the javelin for the Trojans.  Her mark is also the NAIA 'B' provisional qualifying mark.  Bridget Bartling threw 30.67 meters (100 feet, 7 inches).

Bella Maxwell added a shot-put title for DSU, throwing the NAIA 'B' standard mark of 13.76 meters (47 feet, 1.75 inches).  Hadley Hollenbeck tossed 11.11 meters (36 feet, 5.5 inches) and Emily Dvorak threw 9.76 meters (32 feet, .25 inches).

Oliviyah Thornton placed third in the hammer throw, tossing the NAIA 'B' mark of 52.97 meters (173 feet, 9 inches) for Dakota State.  Maxwell added 50.96 meters toss (167 feet, 2 inches) to place sixth.  Alivia Bickett recorded 44.85 meters (147 feet, 1 inch), followed by Aaliyah Bertelsen with 43.29 meters (142 feet).  Lilly Young registered 42.74 meters (140 feet, 2 inches) and Dvorak with 31.91 meters toss (104 feet, 8 inches).

O. Thornton was fourth in the discus, producing NAIA 'B' mark of 45.12 meters (148 feet) for the Trojans.  Hollenbeck recorded 35.17 meters (115 feet, 4 inches), Young 34.84 meters (114 feet, 3 inches), and Dvorak with 32.40 meters mark (106 feet, 3 inches).

Molli Thornton earned a runner-up honor in the long jump, leaping 5.41 meters (17 feet, 9 inches) for the Trojans.  Ella Carstensen added 4.72 meters (15 feet, 6 inches).

M. Thornton leaped 10.71 meters (35 feet, 1.75 inches) to finish seventh in the triple jump.

Adow Thyab cleared her season best 1.59 meters (5 feet, 2.5 inches) to place third in the high jump.  Alyssa Koffler added 1.44 meters clearance (4 feet, 8.75 inches).

Taneaja John clocked a time of 16.10 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles for the Trojans. 

Averie Marshall led DSU with a time of 12.50 seconds in the 100-meter dash.  Bartling followed up with 12.68 seconds and Bethany Lawson with 13.04 seconds.

Marshall registered a time of 26.59 seconds in the 200-meter dash, followed by Bartling 27.14 seconds, and Lawson with 27.23 seconds.

Dakota State continues their action late Thursday afternoon as they compete in the prestigious 116^th annual Drake Relays.  The Trojans will have numerous events scheduled for Friday at Bulldog Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.