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.