SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota junior Merga Gemeda and South Dakota State sophomore Leah Hansen were named the season’s final TicketSmarter Summit League Cross Country Athletes of the Week, league officials announced Tuesday. Gemeda tied a #SummitXC single-season record by picking his fifth weekly accolade of the season, while Hansen collected her league-best third.
Gemeda and Hansen recorded top times by Summit League runners at the Bradley Pink Classic at the Newman Golf Course.
MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
Jr. | Sioux City, Iowa
- Placed 20th in the 8,000-meter run at the Bradley Pink Classic with a time of 24:34.8
- His time is the second-fastest he has ran in the fall and Gemeda has led USD in five-straight meets
- This is the seventh career Summit League weekly honor for Gemeda, who is now tied for the most weekly accolades in a season in league history with five
Also nominated: Zach Haire (St. Thomas); Gabe Peters (South Dakota State); Jake Arason (North Dakota State); Emmanuel Kipngetich (Oral Roberts); Habibu Moise (Western Illinois)
WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
So. | Willmar, Minn.
- Led the Jackrabbits to a fourth-place team finish, placing fourth overall in the 6,000-meter run at the Bradley Pink Classic with a time of 20:51.9
- Her time is the fastest recorded by a Summit League athlete this season
- This is the third Summit League weekly award for Hansen
Also nominated: Katherine Hanners (Kansas City); Cailee Peterson (South Dakota State)
2021 Cross Country Athletes of the Week
September 7
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Abby Ripperda, South Dakota
September 14
M: Ben Olson, South Dakota State
W: Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
September 21
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Ella Byers, South Dakota
September 28
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
October 5
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Ella Byers, South Dakota
October 19
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Leah Hansen, South Dakota State
#SummitXC
