Spearfish, SD – Four Yellow Jackets from the Black Hills State University track and field teams have qualified in five events for the D2 NCAA Indoor National Championship to be hosted in Birmingham, Alabama March 13^th and 14^th.
 
"Having the program produce at the national level is always a great feeling," said head coach Seth Mischke. "Qualifying four total athletes in individual events is something to be proud of, understanding just how tough it is these days to make it to that level.  I know we are all excited about next week!"
 
Kyla Sawvell, the sophomore out of Wall, SD, will be competing in the Shot Put and Weight throw at the National Championship. She is fresh off two RMAC Championships in the Weight Throw and Shot Put. On The BHSU top ten lists, she is number two all time in the weight, and number four all time in the shot. She enters the meet ranked 17^th in both events.
 
"Kyla has earned the right to represent BHSU in both throwing events at nationals," said throws coach Chris Fields. "We are hopeful she uses the momentum she gained from her conference performance to finish her sophomore campaign on an even higher note."
 
Whitney Scott, the junior from Watertown, SD, is no stranger to the National Championship. This will be her third championship appearance, but the first at the indoor meet. She is number two all time in school history and will enter the meet ranked 19th in the pole vault.
 
"I know Scott is excited about another chance to compete at the national level and we are looking forward to cleaning her vault up in anticipation," said Mischke.
 
Abbie Fredrick, the senior from Cheyenne, WY, will be competing in her second National Championship, however it will be the first for her on the track; she was a member of the 2018 women's XC squad that competed at nationals. Fredrick is right on the bubble of breaking the five minute barrier in the mile and is number two all time in school history. She enters the meet ranked 12^th.
 
"It's really exciting to see Abbie make her first National Indoor Track Championship," said distance coach Scott Foley. "The time Abbie ran to get into Nationals was one of the most impressive solo efforts I've ever seen on our indoor track. In the right race there is no telling what she can accomplish."
 
Tristan Hepp, the senior from Buffalo, WY, will be competing in the Heptathlon. He owns the school record by over 600 points and is fresh off an ALL-RMAC second place at conference.  Hepp is an Indoor All-American after his efforts on the Distance Medley Relay in the 400m leg at the 2019 Championships.
 
"Tristan has two Heptathlon competitions under his belt in his career, and the events continue to get better," said Mischke. "This young training age in the event makes it exciting to see what can happen at the national meet.  He is a great competitor, and will be surrounded by some great athletes, and knowing him, this is a perfect combination."
 
The Championship will provide live results and live streaming for fans.