South Dakota junior Amber Eichkorn clocked the fastest time in the nation in the 5,000-meter run to lead the Coyote track and field teams at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on Thursday in Austin, Texas.
Eichkorn dropped more than a half-minute off her school record when she crossed the finish line in 16 minutes, 18.95 seconds for first place. The Coyotes placed freshman Bethany Kozak and junior Kelsey Barrett in the top-10 of the 5,000 meters as well. Kozak finished in 17:09.05 for ninth and Barrett ran 17:12.90 for 10th.
Junior Katie Wetzstein took third in the 1,500-meter run after clocking 4:33.80. Sophomore teammate Nicole Schmidt followed in 4:44.83 for 12th place.
South Dakota also had two men competing in the distance carnival Thursday evening. Senior Brant Haase finished the 5,000 meters in 14:27.40 for fourth place, while junior Isaac Allen placed 10th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after he crossed the line in 9:24.44.
