Jan. 27, 2001

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Sandy Pelkofer won the women's pole vault while the men's 4x400 relay took third in their best performance this season to highlight the South Dakota men's and women's track and field team's performance at the University of Minnesota Gold Country Classic on Friday and Saturday in Minneapolis, Minn. The meet included several NCAA Division I track and field schools such as BYU, Minnesota, Texas-Arlington, Iowa and Marquette along with NCAA Division II schools South Dakota and North Dakota among others.

Pelkofer (Rapid City, S.D.) captured the women's pole vault (11-4) in leading several outstanding performances by the women's squad. Patricia Goertz (Cheyenne, Wyo.) finished third (2:14.85) and Tammy Christensen (Freeman, S.D.) was sixth (2:17.31) in the 800-meter dash. Nicole Mitchell (Omaha, Neb.) was fourth in the triple jump (35-10). Tonya Kneifl (Newcastle, Neb.) finished second in the high jump (5-7) and sixth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.06). Sarah Menghini (Omaha, Neb.) was fifth in the 200-meter dash (25.94) while Brianne Vette (Spearfish, S.D.) was sixth in the long jump (16-11.5).

Ryan Finley (Omaha, Neb.) had an outstanding meet to lead the Coyote men's team. He finished fifth at the Minnesota meet and clocked a 48.97 in the 400-meter dash. Finley's time is the fastest this season in the NCC and sixth best in NCAA Division II. In addition, Finley anchored the USD 4x400-meter relay squad to a third place finish in 3:14.92. That time is the best in the NCC and second fastest in NCAA Division II this season. John Kehoe (Rapid City, S.D.) finished second in the 800-meter run (1:54.65) and Chad Rohde (Watertown, S.D.) was second in the triple jump (47-3.5). In addition, Paul Brozik (Winner, S.D.) was fourth in the high jump (6-6.75) and Rohde, sixth (6-4.75). Josh Hofer (Freeman, S.D.) was fourth in the 60-meter hurdles (8.33), James Druyvestein (Custer, S.D.) was fourth and Eric Tarasewicz (Cottage Grove, Minn.) was sixth (14-0) in the pole vault. Bill Gassen (Rapid City, S.D.) and Vinnie Olson (Pierre, S.D.) were fifth (50-0) and sixth (46-11.5), respectively in the shot put. Ronnie McDougle (Pompano Beach, Fla.) was fifth in the 200-meter dash (22.06).

All results for the South Dakota track and field team is listed below:

WOMEN'S RESULTS: (complete results)

200-Meter Dash: Sarah Menghini, 5th, 25.94, Emily Fox, 14th, 26.85

800-Meter Dash: Patricia Goertz, 3rd, 2:14.85, Tammy Christenson, 6th, 2:17.31

Mile Run: Molly Wedel, 8th, 5:01.00, Jennie Buller, 18th, 5:18.56, Aimee Dunlop, 19th, 5:18.78

60-Meter Hurdles: Tonya Kneifl, 6th, 9.06, Sarah Hoffman, 9th, 9.35

Long Jump: Brianne Vette, 6th, 16-11.5

Triple Jump: Nicole Mitchell, 4th, 35-10

Shot Put: Mandy Muller, 9th, 41-11.5

Weight Throw: Mandi Muller, 8th, 48-0.5

High Jump: Tonya Kneifl, 2nd, 5-7

Pole Vault: Sandy Pelkofer, 1st, 11-4

MEN'S RESULTS: (complete results)

60-Meter Dash: Ronnie McDougle, 9th, 7.04

200-Meter Dash: Ronnie McDougle, 5th, 22.06

400-Meter Dash: Ryan Finley, 5th, 48.97, Eric Van Laecken, 9th, 50.31, Lee Lockwood, 10th, 50.72

800-Meter Run: John Kehoe, 2nd, 1:54.65, James Jeffery, 5th, 1:56.64, Adam Riddle, 10th, 1:57.20

Mile Run: Andy Nelson, 8th, 4:28.68, Mike Burke, 9th, 4:34.88

3000-Meter Run: Jason Probasco, 10th, 8:43.64, Adam Lindahl, 11th, 8:44.78, Noah Deyo, 18th, 8:53.98, Ed Whetham, 21st, 9:01.71, David Farnsworth, 23rd, 9:11.37, Dave Johannson, 25th, 9:13.34

60-Meter Hurdles: Josh Hofer, 4th, 8.33, Wayne Reynolds, 7th, 8.54

4x400 Meter Relay: South Dakota, 3rd, 3:14.92

Long Jump: Aaron Dykstra, 8th, 20-2.25

Triple Jump: Chad Rohde, 2nd, 47-3.5

Shot Put: Bill Gassen, 5th, 50-0, Vinnie Olson, 6th, 46-11.5

High Jump: Paul Brozik, 4th, 6-6.75, Chad Rohde, 6th, 6-4.75, Derek Pelk, 7th, 6-4.75

Pole Vault: James Druyvestein, 4th, 14-6, Eric Tarasewicz, 6th, 14-0, Greg Bennett, 7th, 14-0