South Dakota State Runners to Race in Indiana
The Jackrabbits are set to compete in the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational in Terre Haute on Oct. 16.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Running
The South Dakota State University cross country teams will travel to Terre Haute, Indiana, on Oct. 16 to compete in the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational. This event serves as a crucial course preview for the NCAA Cross Country Championship scheduled for Nov. 21.
Why it matters
Competing on the course ahead of the national meet offers athletes a competitive advantage by familiarizing them with the terrain and logistics. It also allows the coaching staff to refine their varsity lineups before the upcoming regional qualification meets.
The men's varsity lineup features eight runners, while the women's squad consists of seven athletes. These teams will participate in the blue races against fields totaling 44 men's teams and 43 women's teams.
The players
South Dakota State University
This public research university located in Brookings, South Dakota, supports a comprehensive athletics program.
Rod DeHaven
He serves as the head coach for the South Dakota State University cross country and track and field programs.
The details
South Dakota State is splitting its roster between the Pre-National Invitational and the Platte River Rumble in Omaha, Nebraska. Coach Rod DeHaven plans to adjust the men's varsity roster following this meet to finalize the group for the regional qualifier in November.
Timeline
Sept. 25, 2026: The team last competed at the Gans Creek Classic.
Oct. 16, 2026: The teams compete in the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational.
November 2026: The regional meet is scheduled to take place.
Nov. 21, 2026: The NCAA Cross Country Championship is held.
Season Trajectory
This race serves as a strategic precursor to the NCAA Cross Country Championship, testing the team's readiness against a massive field of 44 men's and 43 women's programs. Performances here will directly inform Coach Rod DeHaven's final roster decisions for the November regional meet.
Fans should monitor the final varsity rotation to see which eight men and seven women perform under the pressure of a national-caliber field. The results will determine which athletes move on to the regional qualifier in November.
The takeaway
Gaining familiarity with the course layout at the Pre-National Invitational is a critical component of high-level distance running strategy. Athletes can implement this approach by mapping out competitive courses in advance to better pace their efforts and anticipate challenging terrain.
What happens next
The regional meet is scheduled for November 2026, followed by the NCAA Cross Country Championship on Nov. 21, 2026.
Further reading
Keep up with the latest results from the Running circuit across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brookings Register.
