M State continued a longstanding tradition in Spartan athletics on Monday, April 17, hosting its 48th annual All Sports Banquet in recognition of Spartan athletic teams and athletes.
The banquet was held in Legacy Hall, on the college’s Fergus Falls campus, with a rib dinner catered by the local American Legion. The night was capped off by a celebration of two M State Student Athlete of the Year award winners, and two Coaches Award winners.
The Student Athlete of the Year winners are Emily Dehler and Brett Engelmeyer, who were recognized for their excellence in the classroom as well as in athletics.
The Coaches Award winners are Abby Tysdal and Logan Pulju, who were recognized for exemplifying what it means to be a Spartan.
Dehler, a sophomore from Pierz, Minn., is a two-year member of the Spartan volleyball and women’s basketball teams. The volleyball team finished fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament, and Dehler was selected to the 2nd team of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) Southern Division. She was in the top five for scoring and rebounds in the MCAC, received 2nd team All Division honors, and was named 2nd team All MCAC. She was named Southern Division Player of the Week, and her teammates voted her Most Valuable Player and team captain. Dehler also excels in the classroom, and was named to the MCAC All Academic Team both years. She will be bringing her basketball skills to the University of Wisconsin-Superior next year.
Engelmeyer, a sophomore from Melrose, Minn., was selected by Spartan coaching staff as this year’s male Student Athlete of the Year after playing basketball and baseball for two years at M State. Engelmeyer excels in the classroom and has the distinction of being named to the MCAC All Academic team both years. Athletically, he played an important role on a very successful men’s basketball team and is the top starting pitcher for the baseball team. The baseball season is still in progress.
Spartan coaches also select the Coaches Award winners, who are noted as student athletes of high character that have a willingness to help coaches and others be their best and are great teammates.
Tysdal, a sophomore from Fergus Falls, won this year’s female Coaches Award. She has played two years of softball and basketball and was the statistician for the Lady Spartan volleyball team.
Pulju, a freshman from Perham, won this year’s male Coaches Award. He is a member of the Spartan baseball team and also ran the scoreboard for volleyball, did statistics for basketball and performs many extra duties for the baseball team.