SDSU's Waytashek Earns NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship

BROOKINGS, S.D.— Megan Waytashek of the South Dakota State women’s basketball team

has been chosen as a 2015 recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, according to an announcement Friday by the NCAA.

Waytashek receives a $7,500 Postgraduate Scholarship from the NCAA, which awards 87 scholarships to men and women annually. The Jackrabbit women’s basketball team has produced five other NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients—Megan Vogel (2007), Heather Sieler (2006), Jodi Bergemann (1994), Laurie (Bruns) Kruse (1991) and Tara Tessier (1988).

The Lino Lakes, native, who posted a 3.97 GPA as a mechanical engineering major, earned her third consecutive academic all-league selection after leading the Jackrabbits in scoring (14.1 ppg) and steals (43) this past season. She became the Jackrabbits’ 33^rd 1,000-point scorer and finished her career with 1,390 points.

Women's Basketball Exhibition Recap (Nov. 1)

South Dakota State 82, Minnesota State, Mankato 60
South Dakota State gained control with a late first-half run and pulled away for an 82-60 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato in exhibition women’s basketball action Friday night

SDSU's Megan Waytashek

at Frost Arena.

Megan Waytashek led all players with 22 points, adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists.  The junior from Lino Lakes, Minn., went 12-for-13 from the free throw line. Kerri Young finished the game with 16 points, with Megan Stuart adding 10 points and seven rebounds in a starting role.

The Jackrabbits finished the game 27-of-63 from the field, 42.9 percent, including 6-of-19 from three-point range. SDSU ended the night 22-of-28 at the line, 78.6 percent, and held a 44-34 rebounding advantage.

Women's Basketball Exhibition Recap (Oct. 27)

South Dakota State 100, Bemidji State 57  
Mariah Clarin and freshman Clarissa Ober each posted double-doubles as the South

SDSU's Mariah Clarin

Dakota State University women’s basketball team opened the exhibition season with a 100-57 victory overBemidji State Sunday afternoon at Frost Arena.

All 12 Jackrabbit players to see action in the contest scored. Clarin led the way with 19 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Ober with 18 points and 11 boards as SDSU held a 54-29 rebounding advantage. Freshman Kerri Young tallied 17 points off the bench, with Megan Waytashek contributing 15 points and a game-high seven assists.

SDSU ended the afternoon 38-of-75 from the field, 50.7 percent, including 4-for-17 from three-point range. The Jackrabbits made 20-of-29 free throw attempts, 69 percent.

Women's Basketball Exhibition Recap (Nov. 1)

NDSU's Dani DeGagne

North Dakota State and South Dakota State each captured exhibition wins Thursday night in women's basketball action.

The Bison defeated Minnesota-Crookston 68-65 behind Katie Birkel's game-high 16 points. Birkel also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds along with teammate Marena Whittle. Dani DeGagne added 15 points with a team-high six assists.

In Brookings, the Jackrabbits downed Black Hills State by a score of 90-48. The Jackrabbits placed four players in double figures to end the exhibition season at 2-0. Senior Ashley Eide led the way with 16 points, followed by 15 points from Megan Waytashek. Gabby Boever added 14 points and Tara Heiser chipped in with 12 off the bench.

Women's Basketball Exhibition Recap (Oct. 28)

Four South Dakota State players scored in double figures as the Jackrabbit women's basketball team opened the exhibition season Sunday afternoon with an 86-43 victory over Minnesota-Crookston at Frost Arena.

Ashley Eide scored a team-high 17 points, while Mariah Clarin narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

SDSU Names Nord Assistant Women's Basketball Coach

South Dakota State University women's basketball head coach Aaron Johnston announced Friday that Carissa Nord has been elevated to a full-time assistant coaching position.

 

A graduate assistant during the 2011-12 season in which the Jackrabbits made their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament, Nord replaces Emilee Thiesse, who was named head coach at Minnesota State, Mankato, earlier this week.

SDSU's Stuart Travels to Africa for Medical Volunteer Program

South Dakota State University women's basketball player Megan Stuart left Thursday for Mombasa, Kenya, where she will take part in the Elective Africa medical volunteer program.

A biology/pre-medicine major, Stuart will enter her sophomore season this fall. The Roseville, Minn., native will spend nearly a month in Africa, during which time she will shadow physicians, volunteer in clinics and assist in disease prevention and awareness campaigns.

Jewett Joins Jackrabbit Women's Basketball Coaching Staff

Veteran collegiate coach Mike Jewett will join the South Dakota State University women's basketball coaching staff, head coach Aaron Johnston announced Friday.

Jewett has coached at the collegiate level throughout the Midwest for nearly 20 years, most recently serving as head coach at Southwest Minnesota State from 2006-10. The Mustangs improved their win total each of his four seasons on the bench, compiling a 15-12 record his final season.

His career record as a head coach stands at 110-85, including a three-year run at Franklin College (Ind.).

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