For Immediate Release
Thursday, April 19, 2018
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) announced Winona State University’s
Carter McCauley as the 2018 Dr. William Britton Scholar-Athlete Award winner and Northern State University’s
Miranda Ristau as the 2018 Willis R. Kelly Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. The Britton Scholar-Athlete Award for Academic Excellence, in its 34th year, recognizes the NSIC’s top male student-athlete and the Kelly Scholar-Athlete Award, in its 33rd year, is presented to the NSIC’s top female student-athlete.
The Britton Award was created in 1985 in honor of Dr. William Britton, a longtime faculty representative at Bemidji State University. The Kelly Award is named in honor of Willis R. Kelly, an associate professor of physical education at the University of Minnesota-Morris. A member of the NSIC Hall of Fame, Kelly also coordinated the Minnesota-Morris Physical Education Department from 1970-87. She became the first director of women’s intercollegiate athletics at Minnesota-Morris in 1976 and was later promoted to athletics director for the whole department. Kelly passed away in 1988.
The member institutions of the NSIC nominate one male and one female student-athlete for the Britton and Kelly Awards. The nominees must meet the following criteria: a grade point average of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale); evidence of academic excellence beyond the minimum grade point average (scholarship prizes and other academic recognition), evidence of participation in the life of the institution, and evidence of participation in at least two-thirds of the varsity events of the individual’s primary sport. The award is voted on by the NSIC Faculty Athletic Representatives.
The 32 student-athletes nominated for the NSIC’s two most prestigious awards will also be honored as NSIC Male and Female Honor Student-Athletes of the Year at their respective institutions. McCauley and Ristau will be recognized Tuesday, July 10 at the 2018 NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet at the Best Western Premier in Burnsville, Minnesota. and will each receive a $3,000 post-graduate scholarship.
2018 Dr. William Britton Scholar-Athlete Award for Academic Excellence
Carter McCauley- Winona State University - Football
Carter McCauley, a native of Owatonna, Minnesota is a senior majoring in cell & molecular biology with a minor in biochemistry at Winona State University. The Owatonna High School graduate holds a 4.00 GPA while excelling in football for the Warriors. McCauley is the sixth student-athlete from Winona State University to earn the Britton Award joining Alex Coulter (2013), Marcus Greatens (2010), Nate Gruber (1995), Jeff Engbrecht (1994) and James Scott Bestul (1985).
McCauley has made the dean’s list every semester and was awarded the Outstanding Graduate in Biology. This prestigious and coveted award is given to a sole graduate in the Biology Department. He received the competitive NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship as one of 58 total awardees from fall sports across three divisions. He was named CoSIDA Academic All-American and NSIC All-Academic Team three times. He has researched “Synthesis and electrochemistry of pyrazinium salts”, which investigated pyrazinium salt electrochemical properties with the aim of investigating their catalytic properties towards water oxidation to produce oxygen and hydrogen for renewable energy. He also had a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Mayo Graduate School, where he conducted and led diabetes research project and presented research in front of leading researchers at Mayo Clinic.
On campus, McCauley was a member of the Winona State Student Senate and elected as the representative of the College of Science and Engineering and was the athletics representative. He also assumed the leadership position as Chair of the Student Services committee. McCauley also served on the WSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee the past three years. Other campus activities included the WSU Football Leadership Council, Readers to Warriors, academic tutor and Relay for Life fundraising and organizing teams.
On the field, McCauley earned All-NSIC second team honors twice in his career and was named NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week on four occasions. In 2015 he was named Super Region 3 All-Region second team. McCauley holds the NSIC & WSU record for field goals made in a career with 55. He also holds the WSU records for the longest field goal (59 yards), most field goals made in a season (19), single-season kicking points (104), and single-game kicking points (17).
McCauley excelled outside the classroom and off the field, combining his attributes and success into his passion for medical service. He received the Arnold Fenske Research Internship, conducted research on the quality of care provided to cancer patients in their surgeries for both breast cancer and melanoma patients. As a St. Croix Hospice Volunteer, he worked as a hospice companion volunteer for two separate hospice patients. He volunteered closely with the Community Care Network at Winona Health, was a Red Cross Community Volunteer leader and worked as a certified nursing assistant at Winona Health-Lake Winona Manor.
2018 Willis R. Kelly Scholar-Athlete Award for Academic Excellence
Miranda Ristau - Northern State University - Women’s Basketball
Miranda Ristau, a native of Warner, South Dakota, is a senior majoring in biology (pre-physical therapy) with a minor in psychology at Northern State University. The Warner High School graduate holds a 4.00 grade point average while excelling in basketball for the Wolves. She joins Sasha Hovind (2017), Kristin Peterson (2004), Mollie Odell (1997) and Mary Kortan (1990) in the elite pack of Wolves to earn the Kelly Award.
Ristau has been named to the dean’s list every semester and was awarded the NSU Scholar Athlete the past three years. She was an NSIC Butch Raymond Scholarship recipient, a NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award winner and a three-time NSIC All-Academic team member. She was also named the CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for women’s basketball in 2018, becoming the first student-athlete at NSU to earn that honor. Ristau has chosen the University of South Dakota for her post-graduate scholarship beginning fall 2018.
Ristau is an active participant on campus and in the community. She participated in research as in intern with the city of Aberdeen in the city-wide Mosquito population and control study. She is a member of the NSU Physical Therapy Club, the NSU Honors Club and is a member of the NSU SAAC. She has also participated with the NSU Day of Champions Volunteer Program, the Interstate YMCA Basketball Tournament and is a volunteer coach.
On the court, Ristau is a two-time All-NSIC first team selection, the 2017-18 NSIC Player of the Year, member of the NSIC All-Defensive team, and received NSIC North Division Player of the Week honors six times as a senior and 11 times in her career. She helped NSU qualified for the NCAA Region Tournament the past four seasons, win two NSIC/Sanford Health Tournaments, the NSIC North Division three times and tie for the NSIC Championship this past season. She finished her career with 1,461 points to rank sixth in school history and her 680 rebounds is 14th all-time at NSU. Her 635 points last season set the NSU single season record as she finished her senior season leading the NSIC with 19.8 points per game, 7.8 boards per game, while shooting 56.3 percent from the field. She was named NSIC All-Tournament twice and was named D2CCA and WBCA All-American Honorable Mention last season.
| 2017-18 NSIC Men’s Honor Student-Athlete Award Winners |
| Name |
University |
Yr. |
Sport |
Hometown |
High School |
| Zach Tuschen |
Augustana University |
Sr. |
Track & Field |
Sioux Falls, S.D. |
Roosevelt |
| Evan Tompkins |
Bemidji State University |
Sr. |
Football |
Scottsdale, Ariz. |
Pinnacle |
| Adam Hildebrandt |
Concordia University, St Paul |
Sr. |
Baseball |
Maplewood, Minn. |
North St. Paul |
| Derek Myers |
University of Mary |
Sr. |
Track & Field / CC |
Gillette, Wyo. |
Campbell County |
| Chase Knickerbocker |
University of Minnesota Crookston |
Jr. |
Men’s Basketball |
Annandale, Minn. |
Annandale |
| Grant Pulver |
University of Minnesota Duluth |
Sr. |
Track & Field / CC |
Chippewa Falls, Wis. |
McDonell Central Catholic |
| Jake Porter |
Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Sr. |
Football |
Fort Dodge, Iowa |
Fort Dodge |
| Evan Carlson |
Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Sr. |
Track & Field |
Britton, S.D. |
Britton-Hecla |
| Zac Cunha |
Minot State University |
Gr. |
Football |
Rocklin, Calif. |
Roseville |
| DJ Pollard |
Northern State University |
Sr. |
Men’s Basketball |
St. Louis Park, Minn. |
St. Louis Park |
| Jayden Fleck |
Southwest Minnesota State University |
Jr. |
Baseball |
Hutchinson, Minn. |
Hutchinson |
| Austin Schaffer |
University of Sioux Falls |
Sr. |
Football / Track & Field |
Hilbert, Wis. |
Hilbert |
| Brett Velasquez |
St. Cloud State University |
Jr. |
Wrestling |
Bennington, Neb. |
Bennington |
| Carson Parker |
Upper Iowa University |
Sr. |
Men’s Basketball |
New Hartford, Iowa |
Dike-New Hartford |
| Derek Lahm |
Wayne State College |
Sr. |
Track & Field |
Columbus, Neb. |
Scotus Central Catholic |
| Carter McCauley |
Winona State University |
Sr. |
Football |
Owatonna, Minn. |
Owatonna |
| 2017-18 NSIC Women’s Honor Student-Athlete Award Winners |
| Name |
University |
Yr. |
Sport |
Hometown |
High School |
| Hannah Keirstead |
Augustana University |
Sr. |
Soccer |
Savage, Minn. |
Burnsville |
| Raquel Thelen |
Bemidji State University |
Sr. |
Soccer |
Andover, Minn. |
Andover |
| Kayla Miller |
Concordia University, St Paul |
Sr. |
Basketball |
Pequot Lakes, Minn. |
Pequot Lakes |
| Eileen Leong |
University of Mary |
Sr. |
Tennis |
Pierre, S.D. |
T.F. Riggs |
| Victoria Bayliss |
University of Minnesota Crookston |
Sr. |
Softball |
West Bloomfield, Mich. |
Notre Dame Prep |
| Makenzie Morgen |
University of Minnesota Duluth |
Jr. |
Volleyball |
Appleton, Wis. |
Appleton East |
| Claire Jordan |
Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Sr. |
Women’s Basketball |
Green Bay, Wis. |
Bay Port |
| Drew Sannes |
Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Gr. |
Women’s Basketball |
Hawley, Minn. |
Hawley |
| Emily Westlake |
Minot State University |
Sr. |
Track & Field / CC |
Gainesville, Fla. |
P.K. Yonge |
| Miranda Ristau |
Northern State University |
Sr. |
Women’s Basketball |
Warner, S.D. |
Warner |
| Kimberly Peterson |
University of Sioux Falls |
Jr. |
Track & Field |
Elizabeth, Colo. |
Elizabeth |
| Lauren Kerr |
Southwest Minnesota State University |
Sr. |
Golf |
Apple Valley, Minn. |
Apple Valley |
| Andreas Bryson |
St. Cloud State University |
Sr. |
Swimming & Diving |
Appleton, Wis. |
Appleton North |
| Malissa LeClaire |
Upper Iowa University |
Jr. |
Volleyball |
St. Michael, Minn. |
St. Michael-Alberville |
| Megan Gebhardt |
Wayne State College |
Gr. |
Volleyball |
Norfolk, Neb. |
Lutheran High Northeast |
| McKenna Larsen |
Winona State University |
Sr. |
Softball / Volleyball |
Oconto Falls, Wis. |
Oconto Falls |
| Annual Britton Award Recipients |
Annual Kelly Award Recipients |
| 2018 - Carter McCauley, Winona State |
2018 - Miranda Ristau, Northern State |
| 2017 - Joe Gomez, Northern State |
2017 - Sasha Hovind, Northern State |
| 2016 - Matt Horan, Sioux Falls |
2016 - Claire Sames, Southwest Minnesota State |
| 2015 - Kowan O’Keefe, Minot State |
2015 - Whitney Burmeister, Southwest Minnesota State |
| 2014 - William Brockmueller, Sioux Falls |
2014 - Rachel Patnoe, Southwest Minnesota State |
| 2013 - Alex Coulter, Winona State |
2013 - Elizabeth (Ellie) Duffy, Concordia-St. Paul |
| 2012 - Cody Lensing, Augustana |
2012 - Kendra Heuttl, Minnesota State |
| 2011 - Matt Braithwaite, Augustana |
2011 - Rebecca Anderson, Minnesota Duluth |
| 2010 - Marcus Greatens, Winona State |
2010 - Lauren Brown, Winona State |
| 2009 - Kirk Ingram, Concordia-St. Paul |
2009 - Mary Slinger, Concordia-St. Paul |
| 2008 - Tyler Fischer, Southwest Minnesota State |
2008 - Kallie Tellefsen, Winona State |
| 2007 - Tyler Fischer, Southwest Minnesota State |
2007 - Jessica Trautwein, MSU Moorhead |
| 2006 - Dusty Smith, Wayne State |
2006 - Kathryn Kramer, Winona State |
| 2005 - Brett Watson, Wayne State |
2005 - Lindsay Hartmann, MSU Moorhead |
| 2004 - Baron Blanchard, Northern State |
2004 - Kristin Peterson, Northern State |
| 2003 - Tucker Willard, Northern State |
2003 - Karen Darveaux, Winona State |
| 2002 - Steven Brandt, Minnesota Crookston |
2002 - Christy Kubat, Southwest State |
| 2001 - Mike May, Bemidji State |
2001 - Angela Swanson, Minnesota Crookston |
| 2000 - Adam Vossen, MSU Moorhead |
2000 - Abby Stritesky, Bemidji State |
| 1999 - Bart Johnson, MSU Moorhead |
1999 - Janelle Gibbs, Southwest State |
| 1998 - Stephen Blackmarr, Minnesota Duluth |
1998 - Betsy Pachal, Minnesota Duluth |
| 1997 - Jesse Beckermann, Minnesota Duluth |
1997 - Mollie Odell, Northern State |
| 1996 - Lance Luitjens, Northern State |
1996 - Paige Karno, Southwest State |
| 1995 - Nate Gruber, Winona State |
1995 - Katy Pivec, Southwest State |
| 1994 - Jeff Engbrecht, Winona State |
1994 - Amy Tenute, MSU Moorhead |
| 1993 - Jay Kusler, Northern State |
1993 - Amy Erickson, Minnesota Duluth |
| 1992 - Jeff Welder, MSU Moorhead |
1992 - Kristin Nelson, Minnesota Duluth |
| 1991 - Scott Colbeck, Minnesota-Morris |
1991 - Jayne Dusich, Bemidji State |
| 1990 - Dwight Hager, Bemidji State |
1990 - Mary Kortan, Northern State |
| 1989 - Bruce Saugstad, Southwest State |
1989 - Shauna Wendland, Southwest State |
| 1988 - Tom Aney, Minnesota Duluth |
1988 - Tara Haiskanen, Minnesota Duluth |
| 1987 - Dale Harper, Bemidji State |
1987 - Teresa Greenwood, MSU Moorhead
& Patricia Pioske, Southwest State |
| 1986 - Jeff Kretchman, Northern State |
1986 - Lisa Muehlbauer, Minnesota Duluth |
| 1985 - James Scott Bestul, Winona State |
|
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