Spearfish, S.D. – With six NCAA Provisional times and marks already this season, the Black Hills State University men's and women's track & field team looks to solidify their places for qualifying spots at the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Emporia, Kansas, later this month, with a trip to Bismarck, North Dakota, and the UMary Last Chance Meet on Saturday. Competing will be Gretchen Adamski, Lauryn Bennett, and McKalester Johns (pole vault), Hanah Sullivan and Cassidy Goddard (throws), Flynn Johnston (400m hurdles), and Casen Willson (triple jump & javelin). The group consists of four of the Yellow Jackets six provisional times and marks, with the highest ranked individual currently being Gretchen Adamski who is 21^st in NCAA Division II in her event, with approximately 22 to be selected for each event for nationals.
 
MEN'S TRACK & FIELD STORYLINES

• Flynn Johnston was a First Team All-RMAC performer in the 400m hurdles last weekend at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, clocking a time of 52.61 for third place. Earlier this season at the Mines Midweek & Multi, he clocked a time of 52.56 that converted to 52.67 for an NCAA Provisional time that ranks 34^th in NCAA Division II this year. His time of 52.56 ranks second in Black Hills State history.
• In the pole vault, McKalester Johns ranked 13^th in the RMAC this season, clearing a height of 4.50m (14' 9") at the Jack Christiansen Invitational. He currently ranks ninth all-time in school history in the event, with a mark of 15' 1.75" from the 2025 season.
• Casen Willson, competing in both the javelin and triple jump, ranks ninth and 17^th in the RMAC respectively in the events. He set career-best marks in both at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships last weekend, finishing seventh in the javelin throw with a mark of 54.89m (180' 1") while also finishing 13^th in the triple jump with a mark of 13.22m (43' 4.5"). His mark in the javelin ranks fourth all-time in Yellow Jacket history.

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD STORYLINES

• In the pole vault, both Gretchen Adamski and Lauryn Bennett have hit NCAA Provisional marks this season, as Adamski cleared a career-best 3.92m (12' 10.25") at the Mines Kit Mayer Classic to rank 21^st in NCAA Division II and Lauryn Bennett cleared a career-best 3.80m (12' 5.5") at the Jack Christiansen Invitational to rank 39^th in DII. With those respective marks, the pair rank second and sixth in Black Hills State program history. Last weekend Adamski earned First Team All-RMAC recognition for a second place clearance of 3.82m (12' 6.25") at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
• In the throws, Cassidy Goddard holds an NCAA Provisional and career-best mark of 53.84m (176' 8") in the hammer throw at the Mines Midweek & Multi, which ranks 29^th in NCAA Division II and is tied for fifth in school history. Last weekend she earned First Team All-RMAC honors in the event with a mark of 53.05m (174' 0"). Also in the hammer throw, Hanah Sullivan was a Second Team All-RMAC recipient in the event, tossing 47.85m (157' 0") for a sixth place finish at the RMAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She additionally ranks tenth in school history in the event with a mark of 48.55m (159' 3") at the Bauer Open.
• The pair of Goddard and Sullivan have also seen success in the discus throw, with Goddard ranking eighth in program history with a throw of 45.14m (148' 1") at the Mines Kit Mayer Classic. Sullivan was a Second Team All-RMAC honoree in the event with a mark of 42.26m (138' 8") for sixth place at the conference championships.