Track & Field | 12/5/2019 3:43:00 PM

Dakota Classic Live Results
NSIC Men's Release
NSIC Women's Release
MOORHEAD, Minn. – The Minnesota State University Moorhead track and field teams open the 2019 indoor season on Friday at the Dakota Classic in Fargo, N.D. Multi events begin at noon, the weight throw at 1 p.m., several field events begin at 3 p.m. and running events start at 4:30 p.m.

The MSUM men were picked to finish seventh in the NSIC preseason coaches poll released on Thursday while the women were picked 12th.

In addition to a majority of the team competing at the Dakota Classic at NDSU, MSUM junior Nadir Yusuf will run in the 5,000 meters at the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic hosted by Northwest Missouri State on Friday in Maryville, Mo. Yusuf is looking to continue the momentum he built during a successful fall cross country season.

Athletes to watch for the men include Yusuf and sophomore jumper Shyrone Kemp. Yusuf, coming off of an outstanding cross country season where he earned All-American honors, won the 5,000 meters at the NSIC Outdoor Championships last spring. He added All-NSIC honors in the 10,000 meters, an event which he also earned all-region honors.

Kemp finished runner-up in both the high jump and triple jump at the NSIC Outdoor Championships last spring to earn all-conference honors in both events.

Junior Chris Cook returns after winning two NSIC championships in the high jump a year ago. He was All-American first team indoors in the event last year and was second-team All-American outdoors.

Seniors Jonas Matzen (multis) and Zach Sweep (high jump/hurdles) also will be key components of the team this season.  Senior Tyler Berby (triple jump) and Elijah Herrick (distance) also are back. Senior Nick Marshall had a good year in the 1,500 meters and will look to impact the distance events.

Junior Anna St. Catherine and freshman LaKyla Yazzie were named as MSUM athletes to watch. St. Catherine earned All-NSIC honors in the pole vault outdoors. Freshman LaKyla Yazzie is expected to be a contributor in the distance after a standout prep career in New Mexico. 

There are five seniors on the women's roster – Jenna Ellertson, Rachel Schumacher, Kathryn Sistrunk, Summer Storm and Whitney Welder.

Sistrunk was All-NSIC indoors in the 5,000 meters after taking third a year ago. Storm had two top five finishes in the NSIC multis last year and has had NCAA provisional qualifying scores the past two years. Ellertson competes in the pole vault while Welder is a distance runner.  Schumacher is a high jumper who is a transfer from Minnesota State.