September 12, 2026

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – Dakota State (S.D.) placed fourth in the women's 5K race Saturday morning at the Dordt (Iowa) Sunflower Open, held at the Dordt Cross Country Course.

The Trojans finished with a team score of 119 points, edging fellow former North Star Athletic Association member Waldorf (Iowa), which finished fifth with 126 points. Dakota State's five scoring runners combined for a time of 1 hour, 43 minutes, 42.05 seconds and averaged 20 minutes, 44.41 seconds.

Host Dordt, ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Preseason Poll, captured the team title with 20 points after placing five runners among the top eight. College of Saint Mary (Neb.) was second with 59 points, followed by Northwestern (Iowa) in third with 63 points.

Kierra Miller paced Dakota State, crossing the finish line in 32nd place overall with a season best time of 20:13.31.  Anna Schneider followed immediately behind Miller, finishing 33rd overall. Schneider clocked a time of 20:15.26, averaging 4:03.1 per kilometer, and contributed 19 points to DSU's team total.

Jewel Gannon was Dakota State's third finisher, placing 46th overall. She recorded a time of 20:38.53.  Talya Vincent crossed the finish line in 54th place. She posted a personal record time of 20:59.39. Erin Harms completed Dakota State's scoring lineup. She finished 71st overall with a time of 21:35.56.

Dordt Joy Koole claimed the individual title, completing the 5K course in 18:04.61. Teammate Addison Liston was runner-up in 18:06.49, while Northwestern Emily De Groot placed third in 18:21.12.

Dakota State individual results
        Kierra Miller – 20:13.31
        Anna Schneider – 20:15.26
        Jewel Gannon – 20:38.53
        Talya Vincent – 20:59.39
        Erin Harms – 21:35.56

Up Next

Dakota State continues its season on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Augustana (S.D.) Invitational in Sioux Falls, S.D. The women's race starts at 11 a.m.