BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Frontier Conference presented the 2026 Champions of Character recipients for women's and men's indoor track & field, presented by our partner WinWon Technologies.  They were recognized at the conclusion of the conference meet Sunday afternoon at the Sanford-Jackrabbit Athletic Complex.
 
Thrower Carlee Fuchs and Distance Runner Isaac Eichhorst earned the prestigious honor for Valley City State.
 
Fuchs was eighth in the weight throw and set the school record in the process with a throw of 15.82m.
 
Eichhorst just missed setting a personal record in the Mile Run at the conference meet.

Founded in 2022, WinWon is a sports technology company revolutionizing the way sports organizations operate. By building a custom platform to fit the needs of their partner schools and conferences, WinWon levels up athletic operations. WinWon ensures operational efficiency through streamlining processes, integrating systems, and bridging connections between conference and campus leadership, coaches, staff and student athletes.  WinWon is dedicated to supporting excellence in the world of athletics through modernization. To learn more about them as a strategic conference partner, please visit winwontech.com. 

Head coaches were asked to select one student athlete per team he or she coaches to receive this prestigious award.  The award recognizes student-athletes who best exemplify the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

On behalf of WinWon Technologies we are pleased to recognize 20 exceptional student-athletes today from 10 Frontier Conference member institutions:
 
Valley City State (N.D.)

• Carlee Fuchs
  • Hometown: Flasher, N.D.
  • Major: Exercise Science & Rehab Studies with a minor in Chemistry and Strength and conditioning
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Carlee exemplifies what it means to be a complete teammate—showing up daily prepared to work, pursuing excellence, and advocating for the success of those around her."
• Isaac Eichhorst
  • Hometown: Willmar, Minn.
  • Major: Exercise Science with minor in Strength and Conditioning
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Isaac may be quiet, but he shows up to practice every day with a positive attitude and ready to work. He consistently volunteers to help wherever he is needed and puts the team first."

 Bellevue (Neb.)

• Emily Usher
  • Hometown: Charles City, Iowa
  • Major: Psychology
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Emily is our one-person sprint team but it doesn't prevent her from being a positive part of our team culture. Though not fond of cross country, she faithfully comes to practice with a positive attitude and puts in her best effort daily."
• Jose Lara
  • Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
  • Major: Cybersecurity
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Jose has set an example for his younger teammates with his hard work and dedication. His work habits are excellent, and he can be trusted to go above and beyond the assigned workout. He is an excellent student and solid citizen."

Bismarck State (N.D.)

• Aliya Schock
  • Hometown: Bismarck, N.D.
  • Major: Exercise Science
  • Head Coach's Quote: "4.0 GPA, great team captain, helps freshman settle in, leads by example, involved during volunteer activities and team bonding events.
• Nathan Mathern
  • Hometown: Bismarck, N.D.
  • Major: University Studies
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Great team captain, leads by example, 4.0 GPA last fall, always on academic president list, leads during community service, works hard, great teammate and student athlete"

Carroll (Mont.)

• Katelyn Christensen
  • Hometown: Hot Springs, Mont.
  • Major: Business Management & Marketing
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Katelyn has always been willing to have a growth mindset and dive into new things. She has a strong work ethic that sets a great example for her teammates."
• Jackson Barney
  • Hometown: Kalispell, Mont.
  • Major: Biology
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Jackson has steadily improved over his time at Carroll. His commitment is a great example for his teammates, and he's become a strong leader for the jumps group."

Dakota State (S.D.)

• Kierra Miller
  • Hometown: Hemingford, Neb.
  • Major: Integrative Biology
  • Head Coach's Quote: "One of the best people I have been around. Such a great leader and always willing to do whatever it takes for a teammate or a coach. I am extremely thankful to have had her part of the DSU program."
• Ben Witt
  • Hometown: Burke, S.D.
  • Major: Exercise Science
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Has always been a great teammate. Worked his butt off to make huge improvements in his time as an athlete at DSU. Someone that has always led by example. He deserves the award."

Dickinson State (N.D.) 

• Alician Parks
  • Hometown: Watford City, N.D.
  • Major: English
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Alician is one of the kindest humans you'll ever meet. She is a constant source of positive energy. Her progress on the track has been amazing and is a tribute to all her hard work."
• Dylan Dahlgren
  • Hometown: Soldotna, Alaska
  • Major: Business
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Dylan quietly goes about being one of the hardest workers on the team. He's made tremendous progress in athletics while being an outstanding student."

MSU-Northern

• Deserae Toombs
  • Hometown: Roundup, Mont.
  • Major: Education
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Her strong competitiveness and perseverance are evident in both practice and competition. In our first Indoor Track season, she consistently followed the running plan during Christmas break and kept coaches updated. She is highly coachable and eager to improve."
• James Stensland-Plymale
  • Hometown: Absarokee, Mont.
  • Major: Automotive Technology
  • Head Coach's Quote: "He has a very competitive drive and works to push others around him to become better. He demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship, by consistently bringing a great attitude to both practice and competitions. His willingness to learn and grow makes him highly coachable, and he is recognized for making valuable contributions to the team."

Montana Tech

• Abby Clark
  • Hometown: Fort Benton, Mont.
  • Major: Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Abby has been a great leader on the team for 4 years and always leads by example."
• Morgan McClernan
  • Hometown: Butte, Mont.
  • Major: Occupational Safety & Health
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Morgan always works towards improving in sport and has been a team leader for 4 years"

Rocky Mountain (Mont.)

• Olivia Field
  • Hometown: Billings, Mont.
  • Major: Elementary Education
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Olivia is an incredibly hard worker who brings a positive attitude to practice and competition every day. She embodies the Champions of Character core values on and off the track."
• Robby Gress
  • Hometown: Billings, Mont.
  • Major: Environmental Science
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Robby is not only a champion of character on our team, always keeping spirits high, working hard, and setting a great example for our team but also in the community where he gives his free time volunteering."

Montana Western

• Olivia Heiner
  • Hometown: Ronan, Mont.
  • Major: Kinesiology
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Olivia always works hard in the classroom and on the track. She is very coachable and consistently does the things asked of her. She comes to practice with a positive attitude. She works hard in class maintaining good grades while taking challenging courses."
• Tyler Raine
  • Hometown: Ephrata, Wash.
  • Major: Kinesiology and Physical Education
  • Head Coach's Quote: "Tyler has been a great addition to our program this year. He always comes to practice ready to work hard and has been a good leader for our growing sprints/jumps/hurdles group. He helps and encourages his teammates during practices. Tyler works hard in the classroom as well maintaining a high GPA while working towards a double major."