MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State University women's and men's track & field teams open the indoor season on Friday competing at the South Dakota State University Holiday Invitational at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex in Brookings.
SMSU is scheduled to compete in seven meets this season in preparation for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Indoor Championships on Feb. 23-24 in Mankato, Minn.
SMSU's men's track team was ranked 11
th in the NSIC preseason poll and the women's team was ranked 13
th in the NSIC preseason poll.
On the women's side, junior sprinter
Sierra Clifford from Hayward, Wis., and junior pole vaulter
Shealyn Tom from Brea, Calif., were both named an NSIC 'Athlete to Watch'.
Clifford placed fifth at the NSIC Championships in the 600 meters at 1:38.07 and Tom placed fifth at the NSIC Championship in the pole vault of 3.41m.
On the men's side, junior sprinter
Tyler Smith from Fairlfield, Texas, and junior thrower
Tyler Nebelung from Ramsey, Minn., were both named an NSIC 'Athlete to Watch'.
Smith was a member of 4x400 relay team that placed eighth at the NSIC Championship and finished 18th in the 200 meters at the NSIC Championships at 22.74. Nebelung placed seventh in the shot put at 15.40m at the NSIC Championships and finished 11th in the weight throw.
Following this weekend, SMSU will return to action on Jan. 20, 2024, at the Ole Opener in Northfield, Minn.
SMSU is beginning its 11th season of track & field at the NCAA Division II level.
