The South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's indoor track and field teams are set to open the indoor season in Spearfish, South Dakota, this weekend. The Hardrockers will be competing in the Black Hills State Holiday Invite at the Donald E. Young Center Field House.
 
The Hardrockers will compete in seven meets this season before the RMAC Indoor Championships in February. The 'Rockers will travel to Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota throughout the indoor season. The men finished seventh last season in the RMAC Championships while the women finished 10^th overall.
 
Action begins Friday with the multi events at 3:30 pm. On Saturday, the multi's have an early 9:00 am start while field events will start at 12:30 pm. Running events will begin at 1:30pm starting with the men's and women's 5k.
 
The 'Rockers return key pieces from last season with Erica Keeble (Pole Vault), Jayla Jarnagin (Shot Pu t& Weighted Throw) and Kayla Gagen (Relays & Multi).
 
Kamryn Scully (Pole Vault & Hurdles), Adeline Wilson (Distance), Morgan Thompson (High Jump), and Jenna Sayler (Weighted Throw & Shot Put) will make their collegiate indoor track debut this weekend.
 
On the men's side, the Hardrockers return Kevin Ptak (400m), Korder Cropsey (400m), Wes Siebdrath (Weighted Throw & Shot Put), Cody Allen (Shot Put), Wyatt Kainz (High Jump) and Ryan Moen (Distance).
 
Jade Cass (High Jump) and Danny Conlisk (400m) will be key newcomers for the Hardrockers on the men's side.
 
In the RMAC, the coaches' poll was voted on by all 12 head indoor track & field coaches. Coaches could not vote for their own institution. The Preseason Players To Watch were selected by each institution.
 
MEN

Coaches' Poll (first-place votes)

1. Colorado School of Mines – 117 (8)
2. Western – 105 (2)
3. Adams State – 100 (1)
4. UCCS – 94
5. Colorado Mesa – 78 (1)
6. CSU-Pueblo – 66
7. Chadron State – 61
8. Black Hills State – 57
9. Colorado Christian – 35
10. MSU Denver – 34
11. South Dakota Mines – 33
12. Westminster – 12

 
Preseason Players to Watch
Adams State
Jonah Vigil
Godfrey Chama

Black Hills State 
*This institution elected to not submit preseason players to watch.

Chadron State
Brock Voth
Joss Linse

Colorado Christian
Nicolas Skinner

Colorado Mesa University
Spencer Jahr
Elliot Ward
Jaquaireus Grant

Colorado School of Mines
Luke Julian
Connor McLean
Grant Colligan

CSU-Pueblo
Marcelo Laguera
Alec Choury
Nate Miller

MSU Denver
Nick Nowlen
Michael Dike
Jacob Link

South Dakota Mines
Cody Allen
Andrew Ferris

UCCS
Charlie Forbes
William Ross
Derek Valdez

Western
Juman Randall
Charlie Sweeney
Taylor Stack
Ross Husch
 
WOMEN
Coaches' Poll (first-place votes)

1. UCCS – 137 (7)
2. Adams State – 133 (5)
3. Western – 114
4. Colorado School of Mines – 109
5. Colorado Mesa – 98
6. CSU-Pueblo – 82
7. New Mexico Highlands – 78 (1)
8. Black Hills State – 74
9. Chadron State – 65
10. MSU Denver – 39
11. Colorado Christian – 37
12. South Dakota Mines – 30
13. Westminster – 18

 
Preseason Players to Watch
Adams State
Stephanie Cotter
Owenika Watson
Haleigh Hunter-Galvan

Black Hills State
*This institution elected to not submit preseason players to watch.

Chadron State
Allee Williamson
Julianne Thomsen

Colorado Christian
Kayla Hanson

Colorado Mesa University
Jill Payne
Kiana Jackson
Brooklynn York

Colorado School of Mines
Courtney Clark
Zoe Baker
Maddie Geesen

CSU-Pueblo
Reagan Andrews
Hailey Streff
Yasmine Hernandez

MSU Denver
Sabrina Rautter

New Mexico Highlands
*This institution elected to not submit preseason players to watch.

South Dakota Mines
Erica Keeble
Jayla Jarnagin

UCCS
Kayla Zink
Kaija Crowe
Hannah Meek

Western
Bailey Sharon
Chelsey Murphy