Former Sioux Falls track and field athlete Emily Swanson was hired as an assistant coach in August 2025.
In his first season with the Vikings, Swanson helped lead a young group that provided growth throughout the year. In track and field, a pair of Vikings made the NCAA Championships as Ashton Massey was a Second Team All-America honoree in indoors after finishing 14th in the Pentathlon and Ellen Merkley placed 21st in the Long Jump at outdoors. On the men's side, Bryant Keller won a pair of conference championships in both indoor and outdoor, wrapping up outdoor season as the High-Point earner at the championships and was named Outdoor NSIC Track Athlete of the Year.
Swanson was a decorated member of the Cougars from 2020-2025. The First Team All-America Heptathlon athlete in both the indoor and outdoor seasons and was named NSIC Outstanding Senior in 2024-25. The four-time Academic All-America honoree qualified for the NCAA championships four total times (two indoor, two outdoor). She also served as a four-year Team Leader.
Swanson has spent the last two years as a GreatLife PlayEverything Coach/Member Support/Social Media employee. She facilitated youth sport camps, served underprivileged youth, developed relationships, and helped create content inside the organization.
Swanson earned a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree in exercise science and business administration from Sioux Falls.
