May 19, 2025

HELENA, Mont. – The 2024-25 Frontier Conference Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Champions of Character recipients, presented by WinWon Technologies, were announced during the conference meet held at Vigilante Stadium in Helena (hosted by Carroll) on May 4-5.

Each recipient received a Champions of Character plaque from Frontier Conference’s commissioner Dr. Scott Crawford. 

The head coach from each Frontier Conference member selects the recipient that fits to the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative program’s five cores that include integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

Below are the recipients for the Champions of Character and the comments from each school’s head coach (name – school – year in school – hometown – major):

Kailen Herbstritt – Carroll – Senior – Corvallis, Mont. – Health Science
“Kailen is a perfect example of Champions of Character,” said CC’s head coach Harry Clark.  “She is a great student athlete that spends a lot of time volunteering in the community.  She is a great teammate that really cares about her track family!”

Emma McCauley – Montana Tech – Sophomore – Boulder, Mont. – Exercise/Health Science
“Emma has volunteered for team events more than anyone on the team this school year,” stated Orediggers’ head coach Chuck Merrifield.  “Despite recovering from injury, she consistently shows up to practices and meets with a positive attitude and prioritizes cheering on teammates from all different event groups.”

Braden Kopp – Montana Western – Sophomore – Missoula, Mont. – Psychology
“Braden has been a key part of our growing throws program at Western,” said head coach Taylor Grove at Montana Western.  “She is a dedicated athlete to the program working hard daily in practice to continue to improve in her events.   She is always encouraging to other athletes on the team by displaying great character and a positive attitude at meets.”

“Braden works hard in the classroom getting good grades and caring about her academics,” added Grove.  “In addition to her Psychology Major, she is working on her glass minor and is a part of Western's Glass club where they make and sell glass art.  Braden serves as a secretary of this club. Braden does a great job balancing her academics and athletics and being involved on Montana Western's campus.”

Deserae Toombs – Montana State University-Northern – Freshman – Roundup, Mont. - Education
“Deserae’s competitive nature and endless perseverance are noted, not only at our daily practices but on race day,” noted MSU-N’s head coach Deborah Callahan.  “She takes each practice as a day of improvement.  She is a very dedicated and caring individual." 

“Each day she will ask the others on the team ‘how their day was’, said Callahan.  “She is a very coachable runner with willingness to improve while maintaining a great attitude.  I look forward to seeing her grow over the next few years.”

Lauren Cima – Providence – Freshman – Harrison, Mont. - Nursing
“Lauren possesses an extremely dedicated work ethic and demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities in practice and competition,” said UP’s head coach Tony Arntson.  “Her presence lifts up those around her in the classroom and her team.”

Maya Pearcy – Rocky Mountain – Sophomore – Columbus, Wis. – Aeronautical Science
“Maya shows up to practice every day with a positive attitude, ready to work hard,” shared RMC’s head coach Alex Oddy.  “Her positivity and work ethic rubs off on the entire team. She is also an exceptional student in one of the toughest programs that Rocky offers.”

About WinWon
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, please visit winwontech.com.