September 5, 2025

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The (RV) Dakota State women's cross country opened its season with a strong team performance 'under the lights' at the Augustana Twilight Meet at Yankton Trails Park. Facing a deep field loaded with NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA competition, the Trojans placed sixth out of 26 teams with 229 points, averaging 18:57 over the 5K course.

Dakota State improved its previous highest place finisher from last year where they finished ninth in the same meet.  Nearly 320 runners completed the 5K race.  The Trojans finished as the highest NAIA team in the field, as well as the top team from the Frontier Conference.

Four DSU runners highlighted with their all-time personal best 5K time in the race. Team Performance
Dakota State's top five runners packed tightly within less than a minute of each other, showcasing the Trojans' depth and consistency. Their total time of 1:34:46 trailed only South Dakota State (NCAA Division I), Minnesota State (NAA Division II), Augustana (Division II), Minnesota-Crookston (Division II), and Gustavus Adolphus (Division III) in the team standings

The Trojans held off NCAA Division II Jamestown (N.D.) (230 points) and Concordia (Neb.) (237 points).

NCAA Division I South Dakota State swept the top three individual places, led by Ashlyn Hillyard's winning time of 17:04.27. SDSU also won the team title with just 20 points, averaging a blistering 17:17 per runner Individual Highlights

• Brooke Beaucaire (Sr.) led Dakota State with a career best time of 18:25.20, finishing 34^th overall in a field of more than 300 runners.  Her time is the seventh fastest in the DSU women's cross country school record book.
• Lindsey Roth (Sr.) was close behind with a career best time of 18:43.57 (44^th place), giving the Trojans two top 50 finishers.  Her time is the 11^th fastest in the Top 30 school 5K record time. 
• Paige Willnerd (Fr.) made her collegiate debut, clocking 19:06.12 for 68^th place, 25^th fastest 5K in DSU women's cross country school record book. 
• Madelyn Sylva (Sr.) crossed in a career best time of 19:15.01 (75^th place), keeping the Trojans' scoring group tight.
• Valerija Curikova (Jr.) rounded out the scoring lineup with a career best time of 19:16.82 (77^th place).
• Anna Schneider (So.) finished in 20:06.05 (136^th).
• Kierra Miller (Jr.) clocked in 20:31.20 (176^th).

Looking Ahead
(RV) Dakota State continues their action next Saturday as they run in the Sunflower Open, hosted by Dordt (Iowa).  The women's race is set to start at 10 a.m. on the campus of Dordt.