SIOUX FALLS, S.D. –South Dakota State distance runner Cody Larson and North Dakota thrower Kenna Curry garnered Kwik Star Peak Performer of the Month honors for April, league officials announced Thursday, while the South Dakota duo of Caleb Rivera and Anna Willis claimed Peak Newcomer of the Month accolades following their efforts in track and field.
The Peak Newcomer of the Month is a new honor for student-athletes during the 2024-25 season and will be given out monthly to an honoree participating in their first season in a Summit League sponsored sport.
Larson recorded the 11
th fastest time in the nation in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Bryan Clay Invitational when he not only broke the South Dakota State record, but also ran a league leading time of 8:30.96 to finish seventh. The Jackrabbit ran the 40
th fastest time in Division I in the 5,000 meters at the Stanford invitational where he broke the South Dakota State school record with a league leading time of 13:34.46.
The Warner, S.D., native anchored the SDSU distance medley relay team, passing both South Dakota and Iowa State in the final 150 meters to help the Jackrabbits set a program record time of 9:37.05.
Curry recorded the sixth furthest hammer throw in the NCAA this season after posting a mark of 222-3” at the Bison open. The Fighting Hawk graduate senior not only improved her personal best by two meters throughout April, but also broke the facility record of 213-8” set by Amy Phillips in 2023 at the NDSU Tune-Up.
The Elk Point, S.D., native leads the Summit League in the hammer throw and shot-put and sits second in the discus.
Rivera ran the second fastest time 1,500 meter time in South Dakota school history with a 3:43.65 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, then won that race at the Drake Relays when he clocked a 3:45.62. He also helped the Coyotes to a third-place finish in the distance medley relay with his team crossing the line in 9:37.21.
The St. James, Minn., native sits fourth in the league in the 800 meter and second in the league in the 1,500 meter heading into the Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
Willis opened April by vaulting a career best 14-9” in the pole vault at the Mt. SAC Relays to win the event. The Coyote freshmen was also the top collegiate finisher at the Drake Relays when she cleared 14-0.75”. The Colorado Springs, Colo, native ranks third in USD history in the women’s outdoor pole vault and sits eighth in the NCAA this season. Willis’ clearance at the Mt. SAC Relays was the best by any freshman in the NCAA this season.
FEMALE KWIK STAR PEAK PERFORMER OF THE MONTH
Kenna Curry, North Dakota
Gr. | Women’s Track and Field | Elk Point, S.D.
- Sits atop the Summit League in the hammer throw and shot put
- Broke the facility record at the Terrance Dahl & Donna Beres Track Complex in the hammer throw with a toss of 222-3”
- Ranks sixth in the nation in the hammer throw
- This is the first career Summit League monthly honor
Also nominated: Gianna Lickel (Kansas City); Arienne Birch (North Dakota State); Maddia Groff (Omaha); Lydia Knapp (South Dakota); Abby Gentry (South Dakota State); Avery Wukawitz (St. Thomas).
MALE KWIK STAR PEAK PERFORMER OF THE MONTH
Cody Larson, South Dakota State
Jr. | Men’s Track and Field| Warner S.D.
- Leads Summit League in the 3,000 steeplechase and the 5,000 meter
- Ranks 11th in the nation in the 3,000 steeplechase and 40th in the 5,000 meter
- This is the first Summit League monthly accolade for Larson
Also nominated: Tory Lanham (Kansas City); Davis Hamilton (North Dakota State); Kevin An (Oral Roberts); Max Schmidtke (South Dakota); Jack Rosner (St. Thomas).
FEMALE KWIK STAR PEAK NEWCOMER OF THE MONTH
Anna Willis, South Dakota
Fr. | Women’s Track and Field | Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Placed first at the Mt. SAC Relays with a career best vault of 14-9”
- Sits eighth in the NCAA in the pole vault
- This is the first career Summit League monthly honor for Willis
Also nominated: Nyariek Kur (North Dakota State); Anna Swan (Oral Roberts); Courtney Stadter (South Dakota State); Ava Kleinfeldt (St. Thomas).
MALE KWIK STAR PEAK NEWCOMER OF THE MONTH
Caleb Rivera, South Dakota
Gr. | Men’s Track and Field | St. James, Minn.
- Broke the distance medley relay school record with a time of 9:37.21
- Ran the second fastest time in the Summit League at the Bryan Clay Invitational with a 3:43.65
- This is the first career Summit League monthly accolade for Rivera
Also nominated: Brooks Turner (North Dakota State); Owen Coil (Oral Roberts); Drew Teeter (South Dakota State); Riane Ritter (St. Thomas).
2024-25 Peak Performers of the Month
September
Female: Sidney Schetnan, South Dakota State
Male: Sam Bassett, Denver
October
Female: Sylvie Zgonc, South Dakota State
Male: Sam Bassett, Denver
November
Female: Lauren Galvin, St. Thomas
Male: Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State
December
Female: Jalei Oglesby, Oral Roberts
Male: Jacksen Moni, North Dakota State
January
Female: Grace Larkins, South Dakota
Male: Marquel Sutton, Omaha
February
Female: Jadyn Keeler, North Dakota
Male: Marquel Sutton, Omaha
March
Female: Maddia Groff, Omaha
Male: Leandro Zgraggen, North Dakota
April
Female: Kenna Curry, North Dakota
Male: Cody Larson, South Dakota State
2024-25 Peak Newcomers of the Month
September
Female: Madison Burr, South Dakota State
Male: Omar Mora, Oral Roberts
October
Female: Madison Russman, North Dakota State
Male: Abraham Chelangam, Oral Roberts
November
Female: Lauren Medeck, South Dakota
Male: Keegan Kelly, Denver
December
Female: Ja Harvey, Omaha
Male: Ethan Thomas, North Dakota
January
Female: Jocelyn Schiller, North Dakota
Male: Oscar Cluff, South Dakota State
February
Female: Emily DiProspero, South Dakota
Male: Nick Keuser, South Dakota State
March
Female: Ella McGee, South Dakota
Male: Dante Smith, North Dakota State
April
Female: Anna Willis, South Dakota
Male: Caleb Rivera, South Dakota
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