September 4, 2026
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Senior
Valerija Curikova turned in a top-30 finish Friday evening as Dakota State (S.D.) opened its 2026 women's cross country season at the Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trail Park. Three seniors along with three freshmen runners making their collegiate debut in the season opener 'under the lights,' despite pushing later time twice due to heat.
Dakota State placed 16th in the college women's 5K team standings, finishing with 479 points. The Trojans' five scoring runners combined for a time of 1 hour, 40 minutes, 28 seconds, averaging 20:05.6 per runner.
NCAA Division I South Dakota captured the team title with 33 points and a team average of 17:29.3. South Dakota State followed in second with 63 points, while Winona State was third with 103 points.
Inside the meet results
Curikova led the Trojans with an impressive season-opening performance, crossing the finish line with a career-best 5K time of 18 minutes, 23.3 seconds. She placed 29th overall in the large collegiate field. Her time is the 7
th fastest time in DSU women's 5K school record book.
Anna Schneider was Dakota State's second finisher, registering a time of 19:58.6. Schneider placed 116th overall.
Kierra Miller followed as the Trojans' third runner. She finished in 20:29.8, placing 171st overall.
Jewel Gannon made her collegiate cross country debut with a time of 20:36.1 and finished 176th overall.
Talya Vincent completed Dakota State's five-runner scoring lineup, finishing in 21:00.3. Vincent placed 198th overall.
Erin Harms rounded out Dakota State's six competitors. She crossed the finish line in 21:20.3, placing 220th overall.
Dakota State individual results – 5K
Valerija Curikova (Sr.) – 18:23.3
Anna Schneider (Sr.) – 19:58.6
Kierra Miller (Sr.) – 20:29.8
Jewel Gannon (Fr.) – 20:36.1
Talya Vincent (Fr.) – 21:00.3
Erin Harms (Fr.) – 21:20.3
Up next
Dakota State continues their action next Saturday (Sept. 12) in the Dordt (Iowa) Sunflower Open in Sioux Center. The women's race is set for 10 a.m.
