Prairie Track & Field Podcast

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."

Johnny Bezdicek is no stranger to speed. The St. Thomas junior has set two program records on the indoor track this season in the 200m and the 300m. As the Summit League Indoor Championships approach this weekend, Johnny is ready to leave his mark there as well. Listen to Johnny share about his record-breaking season, what he hopes to accomplish at the 2026 Summit League Indoor Championships, who to watch for on the Tommies, and he and his team’s goals at this weekend’s championships.

Jordan Wenger can jump. After establishing that he had ups with some insane high school basketball dunks, he took up high jumping and has never looked back. The 2025 Summit League Outdoor high jump champ has cleared new heights this season, including his new personal best of 7’1.5”. Listen to Jordan share his journey from high school basketball phenom to track star, what it’s taken to become a top-20 high jumper in the NCAA, and what he & the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles are looking forward to at next weekend’s Summit League Indoor Championships.

Louis Fanucchi is having a breakout season, beginning with a strong 3rd place finish at Summit League Cross Country Championships this fall and most recently a 4:00.02 mile. Fanucchi, a native of France, leads a deep UND distance squad that's ready to make a statement at the 2026 Summit League Indoor Track and Field Championships. Listen to Louis share how he ended up at UND, what it means to run such a fast mile, and how he and the Hawks are ready to show out at this season's championship meet.

Meredith Richter boasts an incredible range, having been both the Mavericks top 400 meter runner and their top cross country athlete during her time at UNO. While her 2025-2026 indoor season has started slow due to injury, Meredith is ready to take what she learned from her freshman season and use it as she competes in the middle-distance events. Listen to Meredith share her story of experiencing the ups and downs as a freshman athlete in collegiate track & field, what she looks forward to this season, and what to watch for in the 2026 Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks.

Adison Kapitzke started her 2025-2026 season with a bang, throwing an indoor personal best in the shot put that’s currently #1 in The Summit League. After several trips to the podium at indoor & outdoor conference meets for runner-up finishes, the junior is ready to take another step to the top to win her first individual conference title. Listen to Adison share about her journey from competitive figure skater to thrower, her goals for this season, and why the 2026 Bison women’s team is one to be reckoned with.

Stephen Clunis has never won a medal at a conference championship meet. Would you believe us if we told you he’s ranked #11 in the entire country for the 60 meter dash?  The University of Missouri Kansas City senior ran 6.61 seconds in his first meet of the year and isn’t looking back, not just hoping to win a conference title but to compete on the NCAA’s biggest stage. Listen to Stephen share about his journey, including plenty of injuries and betting on himself to transfer to UMKC and start again as well as his individual & team goals for the 2026 season.

Taya Yellow Mule has competed in many events, but settling on the triple jump has paid off. The University of South Dakota senior finished 2nd at the 2025 Summit League Outdoor Championships in the triple jump, earning a spot on the podium for the first time in her career. Listen to Taya share about her experiences of learning the long & triple jump, stepping up as a senior leader for the Coyotes, and her individual & team goals for the 2026 season.

Jake Leingang changed the game of running in North Dakota. One of the most decorated athletes in North Dakota history, Leingang went on to compete at the University of Oregon after an outstanding prep career at Bismarck High. Listen to Leingang recount his high school dominance, the highs and lows of attending one of the best running schools in the country, and what it took to truly become elite.

One of our favorite episodes of the year! Our 2025 North Dakota High School Cross Country Champions Owen Johnson (Class B Boys), Ruby Ihmels (Class A Girls), Claire Grinde (Class B Girls), and Owen Hintz (Class A Boys) join the podcast to discuss the 2025 season, their individual state titles, and post-season XC racing.

This week's Summit League Segment highlights the South Dakota State University and includes an interview with SDSU senior Cody Larson. Plus Kwik Star Peak Performers of the Week, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's Summit League Segment highlights the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks and includes an interview with UNO freshman Briley Early. Plus news from around The Summit League and more.

This week's Summit League Segment highlight the University of South Dakota Coyotes and includes an interview with USD sophomore Isaac Ochoa. Plus highlight of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the University of Missouri Kansas City Kangaroos and includes an interview with UMKC sophomore Mariah Belmont. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks and includes an interview with UND senior Jadyn Keeler. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the University of St. Thomas Tommies and includes an interview with UST junior Elsie Kmecak. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the North Dakota State University Bison and includes an interview with NDSU senior Jacob Knodle. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

Micade Shumway (Williston, ND) has no regrets on his running career. It helps when you've won a state team title in cross country and an individual conference title. What it took to get him there, however, was far from easy. Listen to Micade's inspiring story of finding the sport, believing in himself, and finding a balance between life and running.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles and includes an interview with junior distance star Abraham Chelangam. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

Shelby Frank is no stranger to success. After a wildly successful collegiate career, Shelby stepped into the ring as a post-collegiate at last weekend's USATF Outdoor Championships and qualified for the World Championships in the women's discus. Listen to Shelby share her journey, her experience qualifying for his first senior national team, and what's to come for the rising star.

Jak Urlacher (Grand Forks, ND) found the pole vault in high school after a suggestion from his head coach. Urlacher, who translated his background in gymnastics into the vault, would go on to become an All-American and the greatest North Dakotan to ever pick up a pole. Listen to Jak's insightful interview as he describes his growth in the sport and what it took to soar to new heights.

Sam Roller makes his NCAA Championships debut tomorrow in the javelin, an event he wasn't even solely recruited for.  Now Sam finds himself on the pinnacle of the NCAA track & field world with an opportunity to earn All-American status. Listen to the story of a kid from Thompson, ND chasing a dream and never giving up in his pursuit of reaching his potential.

It's here! The 2025 NDHSAA State Track & Field Championships have arrived. With plenty of storylines to follow, we preview some of the best athletes and events to watch across all 4 classes. Good luck to all student-athletes participating!

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the University of St. Thomas and includes an interview with All-Summit League senior distance runner Molly Desotell. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the USD Coyotes and includes an interview with senior hurdle standout Averi Schmeichel. Plus highlights from this past week's Kwik Star Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the NDSU Bison and includes an interview with All-Summit League athletes Hunter Merkley and Bryce Enerson. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the UMKC Kangaroos and includes and interview with sprint sensation Tory Lanham. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the UNO Mavericks and includes an interview with junior triple jump standout Emma Klein. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more

John Curley's high school times were pretty meager, but a top-10 finish in the mile at the Minnesota High School State Track Meet earned him a spot on the NDSU roster. After a challenging college career of injuries, John gave up running. The break didn't last long, and after several years of building John will find himself on the starting line of the Boston Marathon on Monday with a Puma jersey on as part of Project3.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the UND Fighting Hawks and includes an interview with junior distance star Jadyn Keeler. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers, news from around The Summit League, and more!

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the ORU Golden Eagles and includes an interview with junior sprinter Lukundo Kapambalala, this season's fastest man in The Summit League. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers and news from around The Summit League.

Scott Reichenberger is a pillar in the North Dakota distance running scene. Listen to Coach Reichenberger share what makes this Bismarck team special, his training philosophy on how to get the most out of his athletes, and more.

This week's The Summit League Segment highlights the SDSU Jackrabbits and includes an interview with senior javelin thrower Nora Peterson, a native of Mayville, ND. Plus highlights of this past week's Kwik Star Summit League Peak Performers and news from around The Summit League.

After a 3rd-place finish in the mile at North Dakota HS State Track his senior year, Brady Goss took his talents to Concordia College in Moorhead. Now he's quickly qualified for his first NCAA Championships in the indoor mile. Listen Brady break down what it took to qualify, his experience at Concordia, and what he looks forward to this weekend at the NCAA D3 Championships in Rochester, NY.

On this episode of The Summit League Segment, your hosts interview ORU Head Coach Alick Musukuma, who shares about which Golden Eagles to watch heading into this weekend's Summit League Championships.  Musukuma, an Olympian in the 800m for Zambia in 1988, also shares plenty of stories about his story to the United States and his coaching journey. Plus hear Ryan & Cam break down the final Summit League Peak Performers and share their insights on the Golden Eagles program.

Your hosts sit down with Tania Gleason, an athlete on the University of Nebraska-Omaha women's track & field team. Tania shares about her breakthrough season, including her past month of PRs, what it will take to make a Summit League final in a deeply contested sprints field, and which of her teammates to watch come conference weekend. Ryan & Cam also discuss this past week's Summit League Peak Performers and preview both the UNO women's program.

On our fifth Summit League Segment of the Indoor Season, we sit down with Olivia Keller, an all-around athlete for the Tommies who is ranked highly in both the heptathlon and 800 meters this season. Olivia shares about the learning curve of learning the heptathlon events and the culture shift at UST over the past several years. Your hosts Ryan & Cam also preview this week's Summit League Peak Performers and preview both the UST men's and women's programs.

On our fourth Summit League Segment of the Indoor Season, we sit down with Landon Olson, who's currently ranked top-10 in the NCAA in the men's high jump. Landon highlights the USD team for us and shares what it will take for USD's men's program to 3-Peat as a team this season & which Coyotes to watch moving forward. Your hosts Ryan & Cam also discuss this past week's Summit League Peak Performers and preview both the USD men's and women's programs.

On our third Summit League Segment of the Indoor Season, we sit down with Jaiden Boomsma, who gave up an incredibly successful soccer career to compete collegiately in the sprints and jumps. Jaiden highlights the SDSU Jackrabbits & discusses the team's goals as they'll host the conference indoor championship meet. Cam and guest host Lukas Nelson also discuss this past week's Summit League Peak Performers and preview both the SDSU men's and women's programs.

On our second Summit League Segment of the Indoor Season, we sit down with Malene Kollberg, a native of Norway, who competes in the combined events for UND. Malene shares about the UND Fighting Hawks, including who to watch and what events will help the team be competitive for a Summit League team title. Your hosts also discuss this past week's Summit League Peak Performers and preview both the UND men's and women's programs

On our first Summit League Segment of the Indoor Season, we sit down with Cullen Curl, a native of Bismarck, North Dakota. Cullen highlights the NDSU team for us and shares what it will take to defend his Summit League title in the indoor 400 meters. Your host Ryan Enerson & guest host Tyler Enerson discuss this past week's Summit League Peak Performers and preview both the NDSU men's and women's programs.