FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State director of track & field and cross country Stevie Keller announced the addition of three women’s athletes to the 2021 recruiting class on Monday, Dec. 28.
Taia Rude, a multi-event athlete from Brandon, S.D.; Lanie Awender, a sprinter from Oakes, N.D.; and Kaitlyn Schuur, a pole vaulter from Chandler, Minn., each announced their intentions to attend NDSU and compete for the Bison.
Rude (Brandon Valley HS) already owns personal-bests of 5 feet, 6 inches in the high jump and 45.40 in the 300m hurdles, despite her junior season being cancelled due to Covid-19. She placed third at the South Dakota Class AA state meet in the high jump as both a freshman and sophomore, and ran on state title-winning 4x200m relays both years. Rude finished fifth in the 300m hurdles at the 2019 Howard Wood Dakota Relays – the top-placing underclassman.
Awender (Oakes HS) claimed North Dakota Class B state titles in the 100m and 200m as a sophomore in 2019. She took third in both events as a freshman in 2018, and now holds personal bests of 12.33 in the 100m and 25.85 in the 200m entering her senior season.
Schuur (Southwest Christian HS) took third place at the Minnesota state track & field meet in the pole vault as a sophomore in 2019, clearing 11 feet.
The NDSU women’s track & field team has won 25 straight Summit League team titles – 13 indoor and 12 outdoor – since joining the league in 2008.
*Courtesy Associated Press
Comments