[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 12706-12707]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO BETHANY BUELL

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Bethany Buell 
of the University of South Dakota, USD, for becoming the first NCAA 
Division I National Champion in school history. Buell captured the 
National Championship by pole vaulting 14 feet, 7.25 inches on June 7, 
2013 at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR.
  Bethany Buell has had a terrific season for the USD Coyote's, earning 
All-American honors before ultimately capturing the D-I NCAA National 
Championship. Buell's record-breaking season was almost cut short after 
tearing ligaments in her shoulder after setting the highest national 
mark of 14 feet, 7.5 inches on March 29th. Buell returned from injury 
to compete on May 9th at the Summit League Championships. Buell was 
also named the NCAA Division I Outdoor Field Scholar Athlete of the 
Year by the U.S. Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches Association.
  Bethany Buell is a redshirt junior from Rockwood Summit High School, 
in St. Louis, MO. Bethany, the daughter of Bill and Kerry Buell, is 
currently majoring in psychology with a minor in anthropology. Buell's 
career at USD has been record-breaking; as a true freshman, Bethany won 
the pole vault at the GWC Indoor Championships and broke the school 
record in the event

[[Page 12707]]

twice. In 2011, Buell became the first USD Coyote to qualify for the 
NCAA D-I National Championships, where she would finish 13th and earn 
2nd team All-America honors. In 2012, Bethany continued her ascent as 
one of the Nation's top pole vaulters becoming the first Coyote to earn 
All-American First-Team honors. She later finished 3rd at the NCAA D-I 
National Championships.
  As a graduate of the University of South Dakota, I am honored to 
recognize Bethany Buell for her outstanding accomplishments and 
contributions to the University of South Dakota and to the State of 
South Dakota. Congratulations to Bethany, and to the Coyote Track and 
Field Team for a great season. Go Yotes!

                          ____________________