Lately, the Dickinson State men's track and field team needs binoculars to see the competition futilely trying to chase them.
However, Blue Hawks track and field coach Pete Stanton expects this weekend's Dakota Athletic Conference indoor championships to be a little different.
"The men's is going to be a two-team race," Stanton said.
DSU has had strong jump and sprint performances this season while Black Hills State has dominated DAC opponents in the distance races and throwing events.
The Yellow Jackets have a home-track advantage as they look to give the three-time defending indoor champion Blue Hawks a literal run for their crown when the championships begin at 5 p.m. today in Spearfish, S.D.
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"The whole point will be how well we can break up their distance points compared to how well Black Hills can break up our sprint points," Stanton said.
Defending national outdoor triple jump champion Dominic Goodman is leading the Blue Hawks' domination of the jumps.
The junior has the top DAC long jump at 23 feet, 5½ inches and the best triple jump at 49-4¼. DSU's Jermaine Christie and Antillo Bastian both have top marks in the long jump while Bastian, Kurt McCormick and Johnny Emtman all have leading leaps in the triple jump.
DSU has three DAC sprint event leaders.
Michael Sands has the top time in the 55-meter dash at 6.43 seconds.
John Ingraham is the 200 leader and Ramon Miller has the top 400 time.
Along with that, DSU is the leader in the 1,600 relay with a time of 3:18.07.
"We've got a chance to score some points in those sprints and jumps," Stanton said.
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On the women's side, Stanton expects the Blue Hawks to compete with Jamestown College for second place as they both try to chase Black Hills State.
"I thought we were going to get closer to them or make a run at them," Stanton said. "But it turns out ... we're going to battle Jamestown for second."
Sophomore Kelsey Aide looks to reclaim her pole vault title. She won the DAC indoor and outdoor meets as a freshman and ended the season with a national championship.
Just like the men, the DSU women also have an affinity for the jumps.
Valdeana Bain has top marks in the triple jump and high jump. Chadee Moss has the DAC's top long jump and freshman Sarah Holle is in the conference top five in both the long and triple jumps.
Kyla Wasser, meanwhile, has come a long way in the sprints. The sophomore has the DAC's top time in the 55 at 7.38 and is second in the 200 at 26.76.
"She's just had a breakout year for us," Stanton said. "She's been very confident as the year's gone on. We expect her to be right in there in the conference in both sprints."
