FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State University counseling center director Bill Burns and NDSU facilities management staff member Dale Cardwell were among the award winners announced Thursday, May 2, during the NDSU athletic department's fifth annual Green and Gold Gala at the Fargo Theatre.

Burns was selected for the Bison Impact Award, which is presented to a member of the community who has made a significant impact on NDSU Athletics and is nominated by the Green and Gold Gala committee. Burns has been employed at NDSU since 2007.

Cardwell, building services manager in the Sanford Health Athletic Complex, was selected for the Student-Athlete Choice Award, which is designated by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council to recognize an athletic department staff member who makes a major contribution to student-athlete or team success.

NCAA indoor shot put and weight throw national champion Payton Otterdahl was selected as Male Athlete of the Year after setting the all-time collegiate record in the shot put and being named National Field Athlete of the Year. Other finalists for Male Athlete of the Year were Brent Fleetwood, wrestling; Charley Hesse, baseball; Van Holmgren, golf; Vinnie Shahid, basketball; and Easton Stick, football.

Softball pitcher KK Leddy, who ranks 10th nationally in shutouts including one no-hitter, was voted Female Athlete of the Year. Other finalists were Michelle Gaislerova, basketball; Mariah Haberle, soccer; Taylor McCorkle, golf; Bailey Retzlaff, track and field; and Katie Shoultz, softball.

Baseball pitcher Max Loven was named Male Rookie of the Year with a team-leading 2.60 ERA in 10 starts and one of the top strikeout-to-walk ratios in college baseball. Other finalists for Male Rookie of the Year were Tyree Eady, basketball; Kristoffer Thomsen, track and field; and Spencer Waege, football.

Volleyball setter Kalli Hegerle, who was selected to the Summit League All-Freshman Team, was voted Female Rookie of the Year. Other finalists were Maddie Herzog, golf; Akealy Moton, track and field; and Paige Vargas, softball.

Ryan Enerson from men's track and field and Vanessa Anderson from softball were recipients of the Bison Pride Award, which is nominated by coaches and awarded to one male and one female student-athlete for their contributions to the team's success withholding on-field performance. Other male finalists were Lucas Johnson, golf; Sam Gilseth, wrestling; Jayse McLean, baseball; Jared Samuelson, basketball; and Easton Stick, football. Other female finalists were Emily Dietz, basketball; Abbi Klos, volleyball; Amanda Levin, track and field; Katelyn Martin, golf; and Ellen Schneider, soccer.

The NDSU women's golf team won the Bison Cup, the team service award presented by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council to one athletic team for its outstanding community service.

Several academic awards were also presented, including the Bison Academic Performance Award, Bison Academic Achievement Award, Bison Academic Excellence Award, Bison Most Valuable Scholar Athletes Award, National Consortium for Academics and Sports Student-Athlete Day Award, Thundering Herd Male and Female Team Academic Awards, Presidential Most Improved Team Academic Award and Presidential Team Academic Award.

Brian Shawn, television play-by-play voice for NDSU football and basketball, served as master of ceremonies for the event.