March 10, 2026
HELENA, Mont. – The 2025-26 Frontier Conference Men’s Basketball Champions of Character, presented by
WinWon Technologies, were announced Tuesday. The eight qualifying teams at the conference postseason tournament were honored prior to their quarterfinals contest on Feb. 27-28 at Butte Civic Center in Butte, Mont.
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.
The mission of the NAIA’s Champions of Character program is to provide training to instill the values that build character so that students, coaches, and parents know, do, and value the right thing on and off the field.
The Champions of Character helps participants find balance by keeping the five core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience. In the NAIA, we strive to be The Right Way to Play!
Below are the recipients for the Champions of Character with the comments from each coach:
Bellevue (Neb.)
Sandor Rodriguez – senior from Prunedale, Calif.
“Sandor exemplifies great character. He is never late. He never complains. He is an unbelievable teammate! He loses with class and wins with grace. He is phenomenal in the community with kids. He is a very good student and will graduate this spring. I can't say enough good things about this young man!”
Bismarck State (N.D.)
Houston Davis – junior from Belcourt, N.D.
“Always a positive teammate, uplifting and comes to play every day.”
Carroll (Mont.)
Aidan McGarvin – senior from Eagle, Idaho
“Aidan McGarvin has been the only athlete that has retained through three different coaches at Carroll College and is still playing with us. Practically, Aidan has not had the most rewarding career on the court in many ways, dealing with multiple extended injuries that have made his time on the court sparring. Aidan has been engaged in the community in multiple different facets, both in volunteer roles and as an employee with multiple businesses. Aidan is a near 4.0 GPA and has been our most diligent worker and most consistent servant-leader.”
Dakota State (S.D.)
Brayden Pankonen – junior from Dell Rapids, S.D.
“Brayden is our hardest worker, most dedicated student-athlete and is always about doing the right thing when no one is looking. He is an elite teammate and a servant leader within Madison and on our campus. Brayden exemplifies the NAIA’s Champion of Character model”
Dickinson State (N.D.)
Jake Daniel – graduate student from Dickinson, N.D.
“Jake has had a major impact in our program and in our Dickinson State campus community. He has served on the student senate, volunteered for countless hours of community service, and was also a distinguished member of DSU's Teddy Roosevelt Leadership program. Jake is an excellent leader on the court and off. He is currently studying for his masters, is a full-time teacher at Trinity High School in Dickinson and one of our team captains. Jake embodies what the NAIA Champions of Character is all about.”
Mayville State (N.D.)
Silas Arvizu – sophomore from Tucson, Ariz.
“Silas is the prime example of what it requires to be a Champion of Character. He has always shown great leadership whether it’s in practice or in the community. His team first approach has become the standard of our program.”
Montana Tech
Lane Love – redshirt sophomore from Billings, Mont.
“Lane is a true servant leader and a man of high character. He embraces any role that is given on and off the court. A fiery competitor, Lane never backs down from a challenge, but more impressively, he constantly strives to bring out the best in everyone surrounding him. He truly is the tide that lifts all boats.”
Montana Western
Billy Carlson – redshirt sophomore from Billings, Mont.
“Billy Carlson is a true Champion of Character who consistently puts the team first and competes with great sportsmanship. He is great about supporting his teammates, giving back to his community, and representing his program with class both on and off the court.”
MSU-Northern
Leonel "Leo" Sewell – senior from Portland, Ore.
“Leo Sewell is the definition of what a true leader, active community service member, great student and wonderful teammate looks like. His positive outlook and demeanor are exceptional on every level. A delight to be around each and every day through the highs and lows of life as a student-athlete, he sets the bar when it comes to hard work and attitude, and everyone loves to be associated with him both on and off the floor. He is also a tremendous competitor who exudes outstanding sportsmanship. Leo Sewell is truly a man of the highest degree of character.”
Providence (Mont.)
Preston Condie – junior from Price, Utah
“Preston Condie embodies all the traits of a true student athlete. Not only is he a contributing member of the Argo basketball team, he is active in Residence Life, respected by his professors, and a participant in his church community. He is a great representation of the Champions of Character.”
Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
Carter McCoy – senior from Chehalis, Wash.
“The ultimate teammate. Always has a great attitude and makes everyone better. Carter is a great person and a GREAT teammate. He's a great student as well. Carter will go down as one of my favorite players I've coached, and I haven't even coached him for a year.”
Valley City State (N.D.)
Sam Kobbervig – redshirt sophomore from Casselton, N.D.
“Sam is a great ambassador of VCSU and VCSU Basketball. He displays nothing but high character in everything he does. He is involved not only in Basketball but also student groups on campus. We are lucky to have him a part of our basketball family.”