Track and Field

UND, NDSU and USD earn #SummitITF Kwik Star weekly accolades

North Dakota, North Dakota State, and South Dakota were each represented in the final weekly honors

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota, North Dakota State, and South Dakota  were represented in the final Summit League Indoor Track and Field Kwik Star Peak Performer of the Week accolades, League officials released Tuesday. North Dakota’s Jiri Ceska and South Dakota’s Eerik Haamer took home the honors on the men’s side while North Dakota State’s Sydney Arndt and Arienne Birch secured them on the women’s side.

Ceska ran a career best in the 800-meters at the UND Tune-Up meet with a time of 1:48.57 seconds. The Fighting Hawk freshman broke the North Dakota school record and the UND Tune-Up record with his victory. He sits first in the Summit League with that time and is tied for 67th in the NCAA this season. 

Haamer recorded a season best 18-3.75” clearance in the pole vault at the SDSU Last Chance. The Coyote senior placed first at the meet and moved to 13th in the NCAA this season. The Tartu, Estonia native was one inch off of his lifetime PR that he set back in 2021and sits first in the Summit League by ten inches.

Arndt crossed the finish line in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.32 seconds at the UND Tune-Up. The Bison junior placed first in the event while improving her personal record by .03 seconds and  improved her national ranking to a tie for 60th. The Fond du Lac, Wis., native moved to third place on the North Dakota State school record board.  

Birch won the high jump for the Bison with a leap of 5-09.25” at the UND Tune-Up. The Bison sophomore broke away from a three way tie at the top of the Summit League Standings to take full control of first place heading into the indoor championship. The Mississauga, Ontario native won the event by 11 inches. Birch is tied for 60th in the NCAA this season. 

MEN’S TRACK PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Jiri Ceska, North Dakota
Fr | Distance | Ricany, Czech Republic
  • Collected his first career weekly award
  • Finished the 800-meter with a league leading time of 1:48.57
  • Broke the North Dakota school record for the 800 meter
Also nominated: Jonah Dafoe (North Dakota State), Ethan Baessler (South Dakota), Jack Rosner (St. Thomas)

MEN’S FIELD PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Eerik Haamer, South Dakota
Gr | Pole Vault |Tartu, Estonia
  • Earned his second indoor weekly award of the season
  • Placed first in the pole-vault competition with a clearance of 18-3.75” (5.58m)
  • His pole vault mark is ranked for 13th in the NCAA this season
Also nominated: Ethan Thomas (North Dakota), Jarod White (North Dakota State)

WOMEN’S TRACK PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Sydney Arndt, North Dakota State
Jr | Hurdles | Fond du Lac, Wis.
  • Collected her second indoor weekly honor of the season
  • Finished first in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.32
  • Ranked 60th nationally and third on the North Dakota State record board 
Also nominated: Jerzie Finstad (North Dakota), Averi Schmeichel (South Dakota), Brielle Dixon (South Dakota State), Hannah Cornelius (St. Thomas)
 
WOMEN’S FIELD PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Arienne Birch, North Dakota State
So.| Jumps | Mississauga, Ontario?
  • Garnered her first indoor weekly accolade of the season
  • Placed first in the high jump with a leap of 5-09.25” (1.76m)
  • Ranks 60th nationally and first in the Summit League
Also nominated: Marlene Kollberg (North Dakota), Danii Anglin (South Dakota), Morgan Koppelman (St. Thomas)

2024-25 Indoor Track & Field Peak Performers of the Week
Dec. 10
MT: Stephen Clunis, Kansas City
MF: Landon Olson, South Dakota
WT: Jadyn Keeler, North Dakota
WF: Kenna Curry, North Dakota

Dec. 17
MT: Trey Heinrich, North Dakota State
MF: Ethan Thomas, North Dakota
WT: Sydney Arndt, North Dakota State
WF: Tiffanie Magnusson, North Dakota

Jan. 14
MT: Tory Lanham, Kansas City
MF: Jordan Wenger, Oral Roberts
WT: Ossly Murambidzi, Oral Roberts
WF: Jaleesa McWashington, Kansas City

Jan. 21
MT: Tory Lanham, Kansas City
MF: Landon Olson, South Dakota
WT: Erin Kinney, South Dakota
WF: Cassidy Mooneyhan, South Dakota

Jan. 28
MT: Carter Toews, South Dakota State
MF: Ethan Thomas, North Dakota
WT: Jadyn Keeler, North Dakota
Co-WF: Anna Willis, South Dakota
Co-WF: Kenna Curry, North Dakota

Feb. 4
MT: Caleb Rivera, South Dakota
MF: Spencer Buley, South Dakota
WT: Sara Reifenrath, South Dakota
WF: Kenna Curry, North Dakota

Feb. 11
MT: Tory Lanham, Kansas City
MF: Ethan Thomas, North Dakota
WT: Brielle Dixon, South Dakota State
WF: Kenna Curry, North Dakota

Feb. 18
MT: Stephen Clunis, Kansas City
MF: Eerik Haamer, South Dakota
WT: Jadyn Keeler, North Dakota 
WF: Merrideth Spiers, North Dakota State

Feb. 25
MT: Jiri Ceska, North Dakota
MF: Eerik Haamer, South Dakota
WT: Sydney Arndt, North Dakota State 
WF: Arienne Birch, North Dakota State

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