South Dakota State University reclaimed the South Dakota Showdown Series trophy, posting a 13-10 victory over the University of South Dakota during the recently completed 2020-21 athletics seasons.
The trophy was awarded by presenting partners South Dakota Corn and Midco Sports Network during a press conference today (June 9, 2021) at the South Dakota Corn office.
Implemented during the 2012-13 athletics season, the Showdown Series tracks head-to-head matchups and conference championship results, with each accumulating points toward the overall series championship. The Series also recognizes outstanding academic achievement by student-athletes, with each school earning the maximum three points for combined student-athletes’ grade-point averages finishing above 3.0.
“Despite the rocky year we had in the sports arena due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Dakota Corn was excited to embrace a new look and feel of the showdown series and the potential to reach fans of both the Jacks and the Yotes in a different way,” said Lisa Richardson, Executive Director at South Dakota Corn. “South Dakota Corn continued to tell Ag’s great story while watching some of our beloved sports take to the fields, courts, tracks and pools when possible. We still had the amazing foundation of the two biggest universities in South Dakota and their loyal fans that were ready to watch these teams go head-to-head. This year may have looked and felt different, but our voice remained strong!”
SDSU held the upper hand in seven sports, including sweeping the two-game Summit League women’s basketball series held in early February. The Jackrabbits also claimed head-to-head competitions in women’s soccer, women’s swimming and diving, softball, women’s golf and both men’s indoor and outdoor track and field.
In normal years, the Showdown Series features competition across 16 men’s and women’s sports, but due to COVID-related schedule changes and cancellations in football and men’s and women’s cross country, only 13 sports were scored during the 2020-21 campaign.
With its latest victory, SDSU leads the South Dakota Showdown Series 5-4.
2020-21 SHOWDOWN SERIES POINTS BREAKDOWN
South Dakota State (13)
- Men’s Basketball – 1
- Women’s Basketball – 2
- Men’s Golf – .5
- Women’s Golf – 1
- Women’s Soccer – 1.5
- Softball – 1
- Women’s Swimming and Diving – 1
- Men’s Indoor Track and Field – 1
- Men’s Outdoor Track and Field – 1
- Academics – 3
South Dakota (10)
- Men’s Basketball – 1
- Men’s Golf – .5
- Women’s Soccer – .5
- Men’s Swimming and Diving – 1
- Women’s Indoor Track and Field – 1
- Women’s Outdoor Track and Field – 1
- Volleyball – 2
- Academics – 3
SOUTH DAKOTA SHOWDOWN SERIES WINNERS
- 2020-21 South Dakota State (13-10)
- 2019-20 South Dakota (14.5-6.5)
- 2018-19 South Dakota State (14.5-11.5)
- 2017-18 South Dakota (14-13)
- 2016-17 South Dakota (14-13)
- 2015-16 South Dakota State (16-11)
- 2014-15 South Dakota (14-13)
- 2013-14 South Dakota State (18-9)
- 2012-13 South Dakota State (14-13)
Fans can visit www.sdcornshowdown.com, www.gojacks.com or www.goyotes.com to track progress and see point totals throughout the year.
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