Dakota State leads after Day 1 of inaugural Frontier Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championship

February 21, 2026

BROOKINGS, S.D. — The first day of the 2026 Frontier Conference Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships sets up as a tightly contested finish Saturday evening at the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex. With the inaugural indoor conference title on the line, Dakota State (S.D.) leads a crowded women’s team race after seven events scored.

On the women’s side, the Trojans carry a slim advantage with 60 points, just ahead of Dickinson State (N.D.) with 54 points and Montana Tech with 52 points, with Bismarck State (N.D.) 37 points and Carroll 31 points still within striking distance if finals break their way.

The Trojans will look to build off a strong opening day that included a key sprint win from Amelie Steins, who took the 400-meter dash in 59.04 seconds.

Montana Tech enters the final day with momentum after claiming the women’s long jump behind Jadyn Vermillion’s 5.79-meter mark (19 feet) and winning the 4 x 800-meter relay in 9:29.03, while Dickinson State is expected to lean on its throwing strength after Kori Nagel captured the women’s weight throw at an impressive NAIA’s leading 19.40 meters (63 feet, 7.75 inches).

Distance and relay events figure to play a decisive role in the team race. Bellevue’s (Neb.) Grace Steinmetz set the tone in the women’s 5,000 meters on Day 1, winning with a time of 18:01.27.

Brynn Wandle of Carroll won the pole vault title after clearing 3.55 meters (11 feet, 7.75 inches).

With conference records, individual titles and national-qualifying marks all in play, the second day of the Frontier Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships is positioned to deliver a meet-ending surge of performances.

As the inaugural indoor champions are crowned, depth across the sprints, distance, field events and combined events is likely to decide which programs emerge from Brookings with the first banners in conference history.

The second day of the conference meet continues Sunday at 11 a.m. Awards presentation will be held after the conclusion of the meet. Follow the indoor track & field conference meet via on Frontier Conference’s YouTube page and live results on Dakota Timing (also available on Frontier Conference Championship page).