Award Nominations
Honors & Awards Recipients
Athletic Trainer
of the Year Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize a member of the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association for their service to the SDATA and/or outstanding contribution to the profession of athletic training.
Athletic Training Student of the Year
The purpose of this award is to recognize an athletic training student for their involvement in the athletic training profession at the School, State, or District level.
Iron Will
Award
The SDATA Iron Will Award serves to honor those outstanding high school or college athletes that have successfully returned to competition following a serious athletic injury. It also serves to honor the certified athletic trainer who played a major role in working with the athlete.
Athletic Training Educator of
the Year
The purpose of this award is to recognize an athletic training instructor or preceptor for their outstanding dedication to the development of athletic training students and the profession of athletic training.
Friends of Athletic Training
The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual for making significant contributions to the profession of athletic training in South Dakota.
Unsung Hero Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize a member of the South Dakota Athletic Trainers Association for their actions in an emergency or life-threatening situation. The goal is to highlight the important role athletic trainers serve in helping keep athletes, coaches, spectators and patients safe.
Athletic Trainer of the Year Recipients
2023
Carrie McCloskey
2022
Brittany Hubbart MS, ATC
2021
Caitlyn Martin MSAT, ATC, CSCS
2020
Clayton Gropper, MS, ATC
Mitchell High School
2019
Randi Christensen, ATC
Dakota Wesleyan University
2018
Sage Robinson-Miller, MS, ATC, CSCS
Sturgis-Brown High School
2017
Steve Fryberger, MAT, ATC, PTA
Huron School District/Pro-PT
2016
Ben Heinze, MS, ATC, CSCS
South Dakota State University
2011
Rochelle Lauret, ATC
Orthopedic Institute
2010
Jarod Guthmiller, ATC
Dakota Wesleyan University
2009
Theresa Backous
Avera St. Lukes – Aberdeen
2008
Terry Olson, ATC
Brookings High School
2007
Eric Kannegieter, ATC
Carr Chiropractic Clinic
2006
Paul Richter, ATC
Black Hills Orthopedic Spine Center
2005
Tryg Odney, ATC
Sioux Valley Sports Medicine
2004
Terry Truex, ATC
Orthopedic Institute
Ryan Brink, ATC
Orthopedic Institute
2003
Tony Silva, M.S., ATC
Black Hills State University
2002
Dr. James Booher, PT, ATC
South Dakota State University
Iron Will Award Recipients
2023
Peyton Fridrich
Caelyn Valandra Prue
2022
Athlete: Seth Miller
AT: Brooke Bleeker MS, ATC
2021
Athlete: Kelly Partington
AT: Jordan Lindberg MA, LAT, ATC
2020
Athlete: Benjamin Kelvington, Augustana University
AT: Jordan Lindberg ATC – Augustana University
Athlete: Haylee Biel, Presentation College
AT: Brittany Hubbart, Presentation College
AT: Blake Spindler, Presentation College
2019
Athlete: Skyler Swatek, Elk Point
AT: Jonathan Hislop
Athlete:Mackenzie Miller, Mitchell High School
AT: Ryan Brink, Orthopedic Institute
2018
Athlete: Riley Waldie, University of Sioux Falls
AT: Samantha Lang, Avera McKennan
Athlete: Jasmine Trimboli, University of South Dakota
AT: Kylea Sheley, University of South Dakota
2017
Athlete: Tayton Vincent- Sioux Valley High School
AT: Terry Truex, Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Shannon Sokolowski- Irene-Wakonda High School
AT: Darred Nelson, Orthopedic Institute
2016
Athlete: Bryce Evans- Brookings High School
AT: Angela Brown, Avera McKennan
2011
Athlete: Erika Olson – O’Gorman
AT: Terry Truex – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete:Sami Smith – Sioux Falls Washington
AT: Darred Nelson –Orthopedic Institute
Athlete:Steph Frohwein – Lincoln High School
AT: Shanna Kindt – Sanford Sports Medicine
2010
Athlete: Chase Lorenz – Sioux Falls Wash
AT: Darred Nelson – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Abby Meyers – O’Gorman
AT: Terry Truex – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Alex Schultz – Sioux Falls Lincoln
AT: Shanna Kindt – Sanford Sports Medicine
2009
Athlete: Calista Winter – Harrisburg
AT: Kyle Wiebesiek – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Kiley Velgersdyk – Sioux Falls Christian
AT: Roxane and Scott – Sanford
Athlete: Lance Thiry – White Lake
AT: Randi Christensen – Dakota Wesleyan University
2007
Athlete:Sierra Moeller – Pierre
AT: Brian Malone – St. Mary’s Pierre
Athlete: Haley Juhnke – Lyman
AT: Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Casey Cuny – Phillip
AT: Orthopedic Institute
2006
Athlete: Erin Muckey – Corsica
AT: Orthopedic Institute (Co-Winner)
Athlete: Ashley Broughton – Corsica
AT Orthopedic Institute (Co-Winner)
Athlete: Jamison Peterson – Brookings
AT: Terry Truex – Orthopedic Institute
2005
Athlete: Andrea Petrik – Dell Rapids
AT: Chad Grotewold – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Joe Krabbenhoft – S.F. Roosevelt
AT: Scott Roggenbuck – Sioux Valley Hospital
2004
Athlete: Carrie Ahlers – Dell Rapids
AT: Terry Truex – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Joe Walloch – Scotland
AT: Ryan Brink – Orthopedic Institute
2003
Athlete: Mindi Mayer – Mitchell
AT: Terry Truex – Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Adam Johnson – Alcester-Hudson
AT: Kristin Sievert – Sioux Valley
2002
Athlete: Amber Tennant – Sully Buttes
AT: Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Joe Feting – Aberdeen Roncalli
AT: Theresa Backous – Avera St Lukes
2001
Athlete: Heather Siler – Huron
AT: Orthopedic Institute
Athlete: Jarod Schwader – Yankton
AT: Angie Turner – Yankton H.S.
2000
Athlete: Mary Fouberg – Mt Vernon
AT: Brian Hildebrant – Avera Queen of Peace Hospital
Athlete: Aaron Graumann – Roosevelt
AT: Terry Truex – Orthopedic Institute
1999
Athlete: Megan Nelson - Huron
AT: Steve Fryberger - HRMC
Athlete: Collin Hanson – Chester
No AT
Friends of Athletic Training Recipients
2023
Jim Rix
2022
Dr. Samuel Schimelpfenig
2021
Dr. Lucio Margallo
2020
Dan Swartos, SDHSAA
Barbara Olinger, Avera McKennan
2019
Dr. Merritt Warren, Brookings Health System
2018
James Ramos, PA – Avera Orthopedics
Dr. Matthew Blake, Avera Orthopedics
2017
Dr. Jonathan Olson, Avera St. Luke’s
Dr. Bradley Reeves, Sanford Orthopedics
Dr. Stephen Foley, Sanford Health
Dr. Keith Baumgarten, Orthopedic Institute
2016
Dr. Verle Valentine, Sanford
2009
Jeremiah Murphy, Murphy Consulting, LLC
2007
Dr. James Cole, Huron
2006
Dr. Pete Rodman, Sioux Falls
Athletic Training Student of the Year Recipients
2023
Caitlynn Emick
2022
Maranna Gunnerson
2021
Michael Lyons
2020
Joseph Newman, Augustana University
2019
Viola Davies, South Dakota State University
2018
Megan Petersen, Augustana University
2017
Kayla Schaunaman- South Dakota State University
2016
Jordan Lindberg- Augustana University
Athletic Training Educator of the Year Recipients
2022
Brian Gerry MS, ATC
2021
Brittany Hubbart MS, ATC
2020
Ryan Brink, Orthopedic Institute
2019
Angela Brown, Avera McKennan
2018
Dan Wagner, Dakota Wesleyan University
2017
Brad Pfeifle, MS, ATC- Orthopedic Institute
SDATA Unsung Hero Recipients
2020
Ben Heinze, South Dakota State University
Travis Olsen, Dakota Wesleyan University