2009 Dakota State University Athletics Annual Awards
Tyler Van Perusem (2009) - Cross Country, Track & Field (Outstanding Male Athlete)
Tyler Van Peursem was voted Dakota State’s Male Most Valuable Athlete of the Year. He was a qualifier several times for both the indoor and outdoor national meet. As a sophomore, Van Peursem earned NAIA All-American Indoor Track & Field honor as he placed sixth in the 800-meter run at the national meet. He has achieved DAC All-Conference honors in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. This past season, Van Peursem won the individual DAC Conference Championship in the 800-meter run for indoor track. At the recent DAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet, he earned first place in the 800- and 1500-meter run.
In addition to his outstanding athleticism, Van Peursem performs well in the classroom and has been named a DAC Scholar Athlete in both Cross Country and Track & Field since the beginning of his career at Dakota State. Tyler is the son of Kevin and Shelly Van Peursem of Sioux Falls, S.D., and is a junior Computer Security major at Dakota State University.
Laura Lanoue (2009) - Volleyball (Outstanding Female Athlete)
The Dakota State’s Female Most Valuable Athlete of the Year award goes to Laura Lanoue. She has been a member of the Trojan Volleyball team for the past four years. Lanoue has been named a DAC Scholar Athlete all four years of her career. She was recognized by the NAIA for All-American Academic honor this past season. Lanoue was named to DAC All-Conference 2nd team and was honored by the DAC as “Libero of the Week.” She broke numerous records in the Trojan Volleyball Record Book.
Laura is the daughter of Greg and Karen Lanoue of Tracy, Minn. Laura graduated with honors with a double major in Accounting and Finance.
Ryan Breitling (2009) - Baseball (Dusty Andersen Award)
Ryan Breitling was selected for the Dusty Andersen Memorial Award. The Dusty Andersen Memorial Award is presented each year to an outstanding male basketball or baseball player who exhibits active participation in campus activities.
Breitling has been a member of the Trojan Baseball team for four years. Academically, he has been named to DAC Scholar Athlete three times and NAIA All-American Academic honor in the 2008 season. Breitling earned DAC All-Conference 2
nd Team in 2007 and served as Team Captain in his 2009 senior year.
In addition to his baseball involvement, Breitling earned numerous academic scholarships and is a member of three academic societies – Phi Eta Sigma, Delta Mu Delta and Kappa Sigma Iota. He also involved in campus intramurals and was a member of the intramural flag football team that competed at the national level.
Ryan is the son of Rod and Cheri Breitling of Sioux Falls, S.D. He graduated with honors in Management major recently at Dakota State University.
