Mettler, Wirth Earn Summit Honors

South Dakota's Jeff Mettler and South Dakota State's Mary Wirth have earned The Summit League's weekly track and field honors.

Mettler was named The Summit League’s Outdoor Men’s Track and Field Athlete of the Week after placing third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays this past weekend. It is the third time he has received the honor in his career.  Mettler’s time of 8 minutes, 59.21 seconds is the best in The Summit League and eighth-best in the nation this season. The senior was the second-best collegiate performer in the race, finishing behind 2013 NCAA Champion Anthony Rotich of Texas-El Paso (8:38.68).

Wirth is The Summit League's Outdoor Track and Field Female Athlete of the Week.  She broke her own school record in the high jump at 5 feet, 10 3/4 inches last weekend in a win at the Arizona State University Invitational. Wirth held the old record of 5-9 3/4, which she set at the 2011 Howard Wood Dakota Relays. Wirth also holds the Jackrabbits' indoor high jump school record of 5-10.  She is currently tied for seventh in the nation in the high jump event.

USD and SDSU are scheduled to compete in the Dakota Duals Friday and Saturday in Yankton.