T&F: Sullivan voted Summit Scholar-Athlete of the Year
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—South Dakota thrower Jessie Sullivan has been selected as the 2020-21 Summit League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year as voted on by the league’s faculty athletic representatives and announced Thursday. The Summit League Scholar-Athlete of the Year is the most prestigious individual award given by the league each season.
“Jessie is a great example of a young man putting in the hard work to accomplish his dreams,” said USD Director of Track and Field Lucky Huber. “He came to Vermillion as a walk-on, ended up earning a scholarship and made the national meet in two events. On top of that, he wants to become a doctor. He’s a great example of what we hope athletes can accomplish while they’re here at South Dakota to have all of their dreams come together.”
Sullivan is the fourth Coyote to earn the distinction, and the third from the track and field program. The Coyotes’ four honorees since 2013 is tied for the lead amongst Summit institutions. The list includes volleyball player Brittany Jessen (2018), national champion pole vaulter Bethany (Buell) Firsick (2014) and distance runner Jeff Mettler (2013).
“Jessie is very deserving of this award,” USD throws coach A.G. Kruger said. “He is both a great athlete and a great student. He has put in the time not only in the ring, but in the lab and classroom to get his work done as a pre-med student.”
Sullivan won a Summit League title in the discus, scoring 18 total points at the Summit League Championships between three throwing events. He qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary in both the discus and the hammer throw. Sullivan ranks on USD’s top-10 lists for all five throwing events he competes in – indoor shot put, indoor weight throw, outdoor shot put, outdoor discus and outdoor hammer throw.
Sullivan, a native of Albion, Nebraska, boasts a perfect 4.00 grade-point average while majoring in chemistry and staying on the pre-med track. He’s a three-time Academic All-Summit League honoree.
Sullivan is just the fifth track and field athlete to earn the men’s award since its debut in 1991.
Britni Smith
Sports Information Assistant
University of South Dakota
(605) 658-5656