VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The Valley City State Cross-Country team opens the season on Friday in Moorhead, Minnesota for the MSU-M Dragon Twilight Invitational.

The Men return three runners from last season. Sophomore Kole Albers, Junior Zach Baumgartner, and Junior Tate Minnihan. All three ran personal best in a 6k race in Moorhead last season. Joining the trio on this year's roster will be Freshmen Noah Hamilton-Dixon, Preston Miller, Steve Salberg, and Gavin Thunder Hawk.

Coach George Keeler says, "After a highly productive pre-season, our men's team is starting the regular season in fantastic physical condition. Friday evening brings our first major competitive challenge, and I am eager to see how our runners translate their hard work into a strong race performance."

For the women, they too return three runners from 2025. Sophomores Frida Barrera, Paiton Flick and Billie Maye Pohlkcamp return for their second season.

Barrera had a great start to her Viking career in 2025. She competed in six races with three top five finishes, including a third-place finish at the Frontier Conference Championships to earn All-Conference status. Her 22:28.9 at the conference meet was 1.1 seconds off the school record.

Pohlkcamp improved throughout the season and had a career best time at the Frontier Conference Championships. Flick had here personal best in a 5k race in Moorhead last season. She had a personal best in a 6k race at the Marauders Open in Bismarck.

Freshmen Jaedyn Lura, Natalie Mann, and Lorissa Thompson join the team this year which will make it a young but talented team.

"The women's team is a strong mix of returners lead by 2025 Cross-Country National Qualifier Frida Barrera and a talented group of freshman runners.   Friday is going to be a great opportunity for this team to show their ability and hopefully serve as a launching pad to a strong season," Keeler said.

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