RAPID CITY, S.D. — A University of South Dakota student-athlete attended the first-ever NCAA Native Student-Athlete Summit in Indianapolis. The event aimed to address the underrepresentation of Native Americans in college sports.
Matayah Yellow Mule, a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, first generation college student, and a track and field athlete for USD, was one of the few Native student-athletes invited to the summit. According to the NCAA, Native Americans make up less than one percent of all student-athletes across all divisions.
The summit provided a platform for participants to discuss their experiences and build community. Yellow Mule, a first-generation college student, reflected on her journey and the support systems at USD, including the Native Student Services program and the track and field program.
The event, which included workshops and networking opportunities, was designed to center the unique college experience of Native American student-athletes. This initiative marks a significant step by the NCAA to acknowledge and support this underrepresented group within college athletics.
The underrepresentation of Native student-athletes is particularly pronounced in Division I, which has more than 190,000 competitors but only 544 Native student-athletes. Yellow Mule’s attendance at the summit highlights the ongoing efforts to increase visibility and support for Native American athletes from communities like those in South Dakota.
STATS On Matayah Yellow Mule From USD
2023-24
Indoor Track & Field
Placed fourth in the pentathlon with 3,751 points at the Summit League Championships…also competed in the high jump (5-6 ½) and long jump (17-10 ¾) at the Championships…scored a personal-best 3,765 points in the pentathlon at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational, recording personal bests in the 60-meter hurdles (8.82) and shot put (35-9 ½)…took second in the high jump (5-7 ¾) and ninth in the 200 (26.41) with personal bests at the USD Alumni…totaled 13 top-10 finishes.
Outdoor Track & Field
Placed fifth in the high jump and eighth in the long jump at the Summit League Championships…recorded season-bests of 5-5 ¾ and 18-7 ¼ in both events…placed third in the long jump at the USD Invite and fourth in the high jump…totaled four top-10’s.
2022-23
Indoor Track & Field
Placed fourth in the long jump (18-10 ¾), seventh in the triple jump (39-0 ½) and seventh in the high jump (5-3) at the Summit League Championships … all three marks were season bests … member of the Coyotes’ Summit League Championship title-winning team … moved to 10th in South Dakota program history in the triple jump (39-0 ½) … won the triple jump at the South Dakota Kickoff in 37-3 (11.35m) … tallied 12 top-10 finishes during the season.
Outdoor Track & Field
Garnered all-Summit League honors in the high jump … placed second in the high jump at the Summit League Championships after clearing a collegiate best of 5-7 ¼ (1.71m) … moved to eighth in South Dakota program history in the high jump (5-7 ¼) … won the triple jump at the USD Tune-Up in 38-5 ½ (11.72m) … finished runner-up in both the high jump and long jump at The Monday Meet … jumped a wind-aided 39-4 ½ (12.00m) in the triple jump at the USD Early Bird … notched eight top-10 finishes during the spring … made the Summit League honor roll.
Prep
Won back-to-back state titles in the triple jump as a junior and senior, also taking the all-class gold in the event … added a runner-up finish in the long jump at the 2021 South Dakota State Championships and took fifth in the 100 meters in 2022 … leaped a personal best 39-9 in the triple jump at the Last Chance Meet in May 2022 … holds a personal best of 18-11 ½ in the long jump from junior season … holds Central’s school record in the long jump … played volleyball and participated in gymnastics for the Cobblers.