-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Anna Lursen of St. Edmond competes in the Sprint Medley

For Anna Lursen, it was about finding the right fit.

Lursen, a senior multi-sport standout at St. Edmond, committed to the University of South Dakota track and field program. She will compete in the middle distance events for the Coyotes, members of the Summit League.

“Truly, it was an easy decision,” Lursen said. “USD just felt right from the moment I visited. The team, coaches and environment were what I was looking for in a college.

“They say, ‘When you know, you know,’ and I knew USD was for me.”

Lursen selected South Dakota over the University of North Dakota, Wartburg College and Creighton University. Her brother, fellow former Gael standout Aaron Lursen, currently runs at Wartburg.

“I really gave those three schools a good look,” Lursen said. “I also checked out some other great schools throughout the past year, but South Dakota was the right one for me.”

Lursen owns multiple school track and field records, including in both the 400 and 400 hurdles. She set a new North Central Conference record in the 800, while also running on the sprint medley that broke the league mark.

At state last spring, the Gaels finished third overall, as Lursen was fourth in the 800 while also running on the third place 4×800 and 10th place sprint medley relays.

Lursen qualified for the Drake Relays in both the 400 and 400 hurdles, placing seventh in the 400 hurdles and eighth in the 400 competing against runners from all four classes.

As a sophomore at state, Lursen was 10th overall in the 400 and ran on the sprint medley that placed 16th.

She recently competed for the St. Edmond volleyball and cross country teams this past fall, and is now preparing for her final year with the Gael basketball team before hitting the track in the spring.

“I knew I wanted to have a decision made before Thanksgiving,” Lursen said. “D1 schools are very competitive, as many will give you deadlines on scholarships and persuade you to make a decision ASAP.

“That being said, I too wanted to decide on a collage sooner rather than later. Now, I am able to focus on school, sports and this up and coming track season.”

Lursen’s plans are to run the 400 as her main race while also competing in the 800 and the 400 hurdles. She plans to study kinesiology and psychology with plans to become a physician assistant.

Lucky Huber is the director of track and field for South Dakota, with Nolan Fife serving as coach for the middle distance athletes. Huber a graduate of South Dakota, leading them to 18 national championships since taking over in the early 1990s.

Fife is the head cross country coach at South Dakota along with his role within the track and field program. He has also coached at Illinois and competed for Indiana as an athlete.

“It is so exciting being a D1 athlete,” Lursen said. “I think the part that excites me the most is the level of competition and the growth I am going to achieve. I will train alongside and compete against girls who care about track, and thrive at it as well.

“That is so exciting for me.”