Prairie Track & Field Podcast

Casey Poppler was the 2025 Summit League Newcomer of the Championships as the highest-placing freshman. Now in his sophomore season, Casey is ready to take the next leap up the ranks in The Summit League. Listen to Casey share about his season thus far, give a course preview for this weekend's conference meet hosted by St. Thomas, and what he and his teammates' goals are for the 2026 Summit League Championships.

Williston, ND native Eleni Lovgren has only raced twice this season for South Dakota State University, but don’t let her lack of racing fool you. The 2025 First-Team All-Summit League honoree is leading the Jackrabbits into this weekend’s Summit League Championships with a winning mentality. Listen to Eleni share about her season thus far, how she’s grown at SDSU after beginning her career at Division II Augustana University, and what she and the Jackrabbits look to accomplish at this weekend’s Summit League Cross Country Championships.

Jade Rypkema transferred to NDSU to be closer to home and to reset both mentally & physically, and what a reset it's been. In her first cross country season with the Bison, Rypkema has recorded top-10 finishes at each of her three meets, resulting in two Summit League Peak Performer of the Week honors along the way. Listen to Jade share about the joy she's running with this season, the adjustment to a new team & new training, and what she and the Bison are looking forward to at next weekend's Summit League Championships.

Growing up in Omaha, Ainsley Anderson grew up dreaming of wearing a University of Nebraska-Omaha jersey some day. Now the junior is off to a career-best start in her junior cross country season at UNO, posting personal bests in the 5K at her first two meets of the season. Listen to Anderson share about the "scary goals" she's set for herself, how she's using a blend of experience and confidence to propel her this season, and what she and her UNO teammates are looking forward to at The Summit League Cross Country Championships.

With approximately one month to go in the march towards The Summit League Cross Country Championships, there's been a ton of great racing all across the conference. On today's mid-season update, Ryan & Cam reflect on the season thus far, what's at stake over the next several weeks, and what to look forward to at the 2026 Summit League Cross Country Championships.

Maddie Cabana raced to second-team All-Summit League honors last season at the 2025 Summit League Cross Country Championships with her 13th-place finish. With another season of training under her belt, the Oral Roberts University junior is ready to run it back. Listen to Maddie share about her training and the pursuit of she and her Golden Eagles teammates goals for the 2026 cross country season.

MJ Foster and the 'Roos of UMKC started their season at the Bob Timmons Classic, with Foster leading the way in a new personal best 6K. MJ, the 1500m bronze medalist from the 2026 Outdoor Championships, and his teammates are ready to push UMKC up the Summit League ranks. Listen to Foster share about his commitment to his training, his relationship with Coach Clif Mitchell, and he and his teammates' shared vision of taking the 'Roos to new heights.

Geneva Timmerman and the USD Coyotes opened their season with a bang, with Timmerman winning the individual title at the Augustana Twilight and the 'Yotes picking up the team victory over rival SDSU. Geneva's performance was worthy of the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week award, the first of her career. Listen to Timmerman share about her award-winning race, how she is carrying her momentum from last season into her 2026 campaign, and what she and her USD teammates hope to accomplish this season.

Matěj Hrebacka's name may be difficult to pronounce, but his resume does the talking. A two-time All-Summit League performer in cross country, Hrebacka is ready to help lead the Fighting Hawks to what he hopes is their first league title this fall. Listen to Hrebacka share about his summer back home in Europe, how European cross country has prepared him for racing in the States, and what he and the Fighting Hawks hope to accomplish on the cross country course this fall.

Sean Korsmo's name is all over the North Dakota High School All-Time lists in the distance events. After a championship-caliber career at Bismarck High, Sean's talents took him to Tulsa, where he became the 2nd North Dakotan to run sub-4 in the mile. Listen to Sean share both the highs and lows of his time at Tulsa, the importance of betting on yourself, and why in the end, what really matters most is enjoying the moment.

Kaden Pastian is one of North Dakota's most decorated prep throwers of all-time - and that includes a junior season wiped out by COVID. Listen to Kaden share his story of early success, resiliency, and hard work throughout his collegiate career.

Jak Urlacher is bringing the deepest pole vault competition ever assembled in North Dakota history to the streets of his hometown, Grand Forks. On July 11th, pole vaulters from across the region and nation will compete on North 3rd Street at The Ark Downtown Street Vault. Make plans to head to downtown Grand Forks to see this high-flying spectacle for yourself!

Alex Pratt can hoop, but it’s on the track where she has really balled out. The former Division I basketball player turned sprint phenom has been a major contributor for the St. Thomas women’s track & field program. A 5-time school record holder and a 2-time Summit League champion, Alex looks forward to one last Summit League Outdoor Championships and the opportunity to lead the Tommies in their pursuit for a podium team finish.

Anya Williams is a triple threat jumper, competing in the long, triple, and high jump events for the UND Fighting Hawks. She’s also a triple threat when it comes to breaking records. In a span of three weeks, the UND sophomore broke the school’s high jump record and the triple jump record – twice. Listen to Anya share about her growth & development in the jumping events, how she balances track & field with her hectic schedule as an aviation student, and what she and the UND Fighting Hawk women aim to accomplish at the 2026 Summit League Outdoor Championships.

Artwell Magake of Oral Roberts is fresh off a school record in the 1500m at the Arkansas Twilight. The Oral Roberts junior has been a staple in the Golden Eagle distance program the past several seasons, showing both his speed & strength in track & cross country. While coming so close to the podium on multiple occasions, Artwell is seeking his first Summit League medal and hopes to earn one this weekend at the 2026 Summit League Outdoor Championships. List the #4 ranked 1500m in the conference share about his life growing up in Zimbabwe, finding the sport and Oral Roberts, and what it will take for him to reach the next level of distance running.

Avyn Urbanski has been a steady presence for the Omaha Mavericks in the sprints during her first several seasons with the Mavericks. To follow up her 7th place finish in the 100m at the 2025 Summit League Championships, Avyn’s been on a tear this outdoor season. She set a new personal best in the 200m a few weeks ago and finds herself ranked high on the conference performance list heading into next week’s championships. Listen to Avyn share about her development in the sprints, her love for the 4x100m relay, and what she and the Mavericks are looking forward to achieving at the 2026 Summit League Outdoor Championships.

Ryan Benson has always been a true multi-event athlete. After winning state titles in events ranging from the hurdles to the long jump in high school, the Chester, SD native took his talents to SDSU to learn even more events. There Benson has become a two-time All-Summit League performer and a senior leader for the Jackrabbits. Listen to Benson share about his journey of learning the multi events, how he finds joy in competing, and how he plans to live in the moment and enjoy the final weeks of his outstanding collegiate career.

Mikael Grace has evolved into not only one of the fastest hurdler's in The Summit League the past few seasons, but ever. The two-time Summit League 110m hurdle champion and USD record holder shares his story of progressing from 15.3 to 13.5 seconds in the hurdles, the bond between he and his hurdles coach (and former USD record holder) Teivaskie Lewin, and what it's going to take for the 'Yotes to bring home a team title this outdoor season.

Zach McGlynn's may have been a walk-on, but he hit the ground running in the multi events. Now a first-team All-American in the heptathlon, Zach has established himself as one of the best athletes in the nation. As the outdoor season begins, Zach has his sights set on even bigger goals. Listen to him share about his journey from little known recruit to All-American, who to watch for on the Bison this outdoor season, and what he and the team hope to accomplish.

Rod DeHaven is a mainstay in the Jackrabbits track & field programs. The head coach for the past 20 years, Rod is no stranger to what it takes to be competitive at The Summit League conference meets. Listen to Rod share about the men's and women's programs at SDSU, including who to watch at this weekend's championships, and what it's going to take to "Reach the Summit."