VERMILLION, S.D.—In spite of contradicting promotional messages, the brand of shoes worn does not affect vertical jump when measured.
This was the conclusion South Dakota freshman soccer player
Amanda Carpio came to at the end of her high school science fair project. Carpio teamed with two high school classmates and set out to discover whether Converse, Jordans, Nikes, or another shoe affected the vertical jump of the individual wearing the shoe. The group visited several shoe stores and measured as their subjects jumped in each pair.
Carpio presented the findings through a written essay, a presentation board and a PowerPoint at Skyview High School's annual science fair. After winning the high school science fair, Carpio and her classmates advanced to the district science fair where they were once again victorious.
"The experience definitely fed my passion for science," Carpio said. "I enjoy finding the answers to things we do not know about, developing a question and then finding a way to get the answer."
The Thornton, Colo., native is now enrolled as a freshman at the University of South Dakota. Carpio has chosen to major in medical biology because of her love for the sciences.
Carpio made the move from the Denver suburb at the beginning of August for fall camp.
"I love Colorado and it will always be my home," Carpio said. "But when I was choosing a college, I wanted to go off on my own, experience new things and find my own identity.
"I just fell in love with this school. The campus is so pretty. The team is incredibly close. Mandy and Josh [Green] are great people and I like the way they coach. South Dakota is a perfect fit for me."
The freshman striker came off the bench to score her first collegiate goal, the Coyotes' game-winner in the season opener against Idaho. Carpio earned her first start on Tuesday at Iowa State.
The Coyotes return to First Bank & Trust Soccer Complex for the first time in a month this weekend. South Dakota hosts Eastern Washington at 4 p.m. Friday and UMKC at 1 p.m. Sunday.
About the South Dakota Coyotes (1-6-1):
Is history repeating itself? The Coyotes are coming off their best Division I season in program history, boasting a 5-3 Summit record with a trip to the 2015 Summit League Tournament. No. 4 South Dakota even took No. 1 North Dakota State to double-overtime before falling 4-3 in the 101st minute of the tournament's opening game.
However, the Coyotes only won three nonconference games a year ago. After losing three of its first four league games, South Dakota held a 4-11 record. The Coyotes fought back, winning the final four games of the regular season to qualify for the program's first DI postseason.
Don't count the Coyotes out yet.
About the Eastern Washington Eagles (5-1-1):
Eastern Washington is coming off a nil-nil tie with Summit foe Omaha on Wednesday. The Eagles conclude a month-long road trip with Friday's match. Striker Chloe Williams is the reigning Big Sky Player of the Week after scoring three goals in a pair of wins over CSU Bakersfield and Saint Mary's last weekend.
With a South Dakota 4-3 golden goal victory back in 2010, the Coyotes tied the all-time series with the Eagles 1-1-0.
About the UMKC Roos (1-4-2):
UMKC enters Sunday's matchup after a Friday contest at South Dakota State. This season, the Roos have faced the likes of power five opponents Arkansas of the SEC and Kansas of the Big 12.
A former Summit League member, UMKC used a 1-nil victory during league play in 2012 to take the lead in the all-time series 2-1-1.
