SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota swept the initial TicketSmarter Summit League Cross Country Athlete of the Week awards, with Merga Gemeda claiming the men’s honor, while Abby Ripperda captured the women’s accolade, league officials announced Tuesday.

Gemeda and Ripperda both claimed runner-up finishes at the season-opening Augustana Twilight.

MEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
Jr. | Sioux City, Iowa

• Top Division I finisher at the season-opening Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Completed the four-mile course (6K) with a second-place time of 19:34.27
• This is the third career Summit League weekly honor for Gemeda

Also nominated: Logan Klingele (Kansas City), Morey Smith (Kansas City), Cody Jones (Oral Roberts), Moise Habibu (Western Illinois)
 
WOMEN’S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Abby Ripperda, South Dakota
Jr. | Sioux Falls, S.D.

• Helped lead the USD women’s squad to their fifth-straight Augustana Twilight title in Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Finished runner-up with a 5,000-meter time of 18:15.90
• This is the fifth career Summit League weekly accolade for Ripperda

Also nominated: Katherine Hanners (Kansas City), Maya Nachtigal (Omaha), Madison Trevena (Western Illinois)

2021 Cross Country Athletes of the Week
September 7
M: Merga Gemeda, South Dakota
W: Abby Ripperda, South Dakota

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