VERMILLION, S.D. - - The South Dakota athletic department announced its 2011-12 Howling Pack Award winners Sunday at a ceremony at the Muenster University Center on the University of South Dakota campus. The event was organized by South Dakota's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

The annual event recognizes Coyote individual and team accomplishments on the field and in the classroom, as well as community service efforts. Awards highlighting the coach, team and play of the year are voted on by the SAAC committee, while the South Dakota staff bestows several accolades including Male and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Unsung Hero Winner: Kenna Wolter - Women's Track (Outdoor)

Play / Performance of the Year (awarded to either a single athlete or a team) Winner: Women's Basketball OT win over SDSU

Coach of the Year Award (awarded to one coach) Winner: Ryun Williams - Women's Basketball

Team Community Service Award (1 team) Winner: Women's Soccer

Outstanding Team of the Year Award Winner: Women's Basketball

Outstanding: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior Award Outstanding Male Freshman Winner: Kyle McKelvey - Men's Track and Field Outstanding Female Freshman Winner: Analisa Huschle - Women's Track and Field

Outstanding Male Sophomore Winner: Jeff Mettler - Men's Cross Country Outstanding Female Sophomore Winner: Bethany Buell - Women's Track and Field

Outstanding Male Junior Winner: Casey Shade - Men's Track and Field Outstanding Female Junior Winner: Alexa Duling - Women's Track and Field

Outstanding Male Senior Winner: Chris Ganious - Football Outstanding Female Senior Winners: Elizabeth Hoffman - Women's Swimming and Emma Ladwig - Women's Track & Field

Dr. John Van Why Award Winner: Tom Compton - Football

Catie Tobin Award Winner: Amber Hegge - Women's Basketball

Carl and Hazel Hoy Award Winners: Alexa Duling Women's Track & Field Louie Krogman - Men's Basketball

Male Scholar-Athlete Award Winner: Chris Ganious - Football

Female Scholar-Athlete Award Winners: Annie Roche - Women's Basketball Emma Ladwig - Women's Cross Country

Coyote Character Awards: Winners: Natalie Newman - Women's Track Indoor Jasmine Mosley - Women's Track Outdoor Kristin Steffen - Women's Cross Country Travis Brenner - Men's Cross Country Jeffery Mettler - Men's Track & Field Veronika Makashov - Tennis Natalie Walseth - Volleyball Steve Tecker - Men's Basketball Annie Roche - Women's Basketball John Vining - Men's Golf Nicole Funck - Women's Golf Joe Dolan - Men's Swimming Madisen Roberts - Women's Swimming Will Powell - Football Kassie Loe - Softball Kaiti Porter - Soccer

Seniors Emma Ladwig, left, and Lizz Hoffman, right, pose with AD
David Sayler after receiving their Outstanding Female Senior
Awards at the SAAC Banquet.

Coyote Character winners pose with their awards.