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DSU Athletics announce annual awards
April 26, 2010
The Dakota State University Athletics department held their annual awards at the DSU Honors Banquet last Tuesday night at Dakota Prairie Playhouse. The most outstanding male and female, Dusty Anderson Memorial and NAIA Champions of Character awards were given out.
Tyler Van Peursem was voted for the Most Outstanding male Athlete of the Year for the second straight year. He received numerous awards during the 2009-2010 seasons. During the outdoor track season in spring 2009, Van Peursem qualified for NAIA Nationals in the 1500-meter run and finished seventh at the nationals. He captured the DAC individual title in the 800-meter and 1500-meter runs. In the fall, he was named 2009 DAC Cross Country Most Valuable runner as he captured the DAC individual championships in Rapid City, S.D. Van Peursem was an integral member of the Trojans' first ever DAC men's cross country team title and earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Nationals.
During indoor track season (2009-2010), Van Peursem was a member of the distance medley and 4 x 800-meter relay teams that finished runner-ups at the NAIA indoor Track and Field Nationals meet. As a result, he was named to the NAIA All-American. Van Peursem earned DAC indoor Track and Field Outstanding Men's Track Athlete of the meet. He was named DAC All-Conference in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
Van Peursem was listed as the Daktronics-NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete and DAC Scholar Athlete for his academic success. Tyler is the son of Kevin and Shelly Van Peursem of Sioux Falls, S.D. He is a senior computer security major at Dakota State university.
The Most Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year award goes to Rachael Jensen. She was a four-year starter for the Trojan Volleyball team. She recorded her 1000th kill at Dakota State University last fall. Jensen is a two-time DAC Volleyball All-Conference selection.
In both 2008 and 2009, she was recognized as a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete. Jensen was named to the DAC Scholar Athlete award all four years at DSU. Rachael is the daughter of Mark and Jonda Jensen of Beresford, S.D. She is a senior Biology major at Dakota State University.
Brian Bolin was voted to the Dusty Anderson Memorial Award. He was a member of the Trojans Men's basketball team for four years. Bolin holds the school record, which is 88, for the most career blocked shots. He recorded the most blocked shots in a single game with seven in the 2008-2009 season.
Bolin was named a NAIA Academic All-American in 2009 and 2010. He received DAC Scholar Athlete award in his four years at Dakota State. Brian is the son of Bill and Andrea Bolin of Onamia, Minn. He is a senior Biology major at DSU.
The NAIA Champions of Character annual awards were given one female and one male student-athlete. Samantha Warnke received the award for the females. There was a tie in the voting for the male award. Both Anthony Drealan and Jackson Parr were given male NAIA Champions of Character award.
According to Head track and field coach Trent Mack, "Samantha is a model of how persistent mind and dedicated attitude can help achieve a higher goal. Through consistent months of endless miles and workouts, Samantha has built herself into an outstanding cross country and track athlete. Win or lose, she is always a competitor while still showing tremendous respect for her teammates and fellow competitors." Warnke qualified for the indoor track meet this past winter in both 3000-meter run and distance medley relay. She set a new school record in the 3000-meter steeplechase this past spring and will return next fall for her final cross country season.
Samantha is the daughter of Tim and Brenda Warnke of Fairfax, S.D. She is a senior Exercise Science major at DSU.
Drealan was one of the most respected and dedicated cross country and track athletes. He has progressed over the past four years into one of the top runners to ever come through Dakota State. According to Mack, "But more impressive, is his quiet leadership, his hard work ethic and his respect for others" After dealing with mono and battling through a frustrating junior year, Drealan returned this past year to earn DAC senior of the year award at the cross country conference championship and went on to earn NAIA all-American honor at the NAIA National Cross Country meet. He became the third individual in DSU history to earn this honor. Drealan led off the distance medley relay that finished runner-up at the NAIA indoor track and Field national meet this past winter. He is a member of two DSU relays that currently hold school records. He will return for one final outdoor track and field season in 2011.
Anthony is the son of Wayne and Heidi Drealan of Fulda, Minn. He is a senior Computer Education major at DSU.
According to head men's basketball coach Gary Gamer, "Jackson is a very dedicated player who comes to every practice with great enthusiasm and energy. he plays with heart and tenacity each time he walks onto the court. Jackson is a great teammate and has shown countless times that he there in every way for his team and his teammates." Parr was one of the DSU's leading scores and rebounders and became the best defensive player on the team. Garner stated," Jackson earned great respect from his teammates and coaching staff not only because of his dedication to the game, but because he was such an enjoyable person to be around.He has a smile for everything.His leadership, along with his character, makes him a role model you want today's youth to follow."
Jackson is the son of Greg Parr and Julie Larter of Sydney, Australia. He is a senior Exercise Science major at DSU.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
