November 9, 2026

BILLINGS, Mont.  – Dakota State (S.D.) senior Valerija Curikova has been named the 2026 Frontier Conference Women's Cross Country GRIT Award recipient, presented by the Montana Army National Guard.

The GRIT Award recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional determination, perseverance, resilience and tenacity while overcoming adversity. The award was introduced across all Frontier Conference sports during the 2025-26 academic year.

Curikova, a native of Latvia and a Cyber Operations major at Dakota State University, earned the recognition after demonstrating remarkable perseverance throughout her collegiate cross country career.

Despite battling consecutive stress fracture injuries, Curikova remained determined to return to competition and achieve success. Her dedication and resilience paid off as she overcame those setbacks to break her own Dakota State women's cross country 6-kilometer school record.

Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Curikova has maintained academic excellence while serving as an inspirational leader for her teammates. Her commitment to supporting others, maintaining a positive attitude and leading by example exemplifies the spirit of the GRIT Award.

The Frontier Conference GRIT Award recipients are nominated by their respective head coaches and selected by the Frontier Conference Senior Woman Leaders Association.

Curikova was recognized for her accomplishments during the Frontier Conference Cross Country Championships in Billings, Mont.

The award honors student-athletes whose determination, perseverance and leadership make a lasting impact on their teams and the Frontier Conference.