FORT HALL — Idaho State’s student-athletes were honored at the 65th annual Sam Bennion Athletic Awards Banquet on Tuesday at the Shoshone-Bannock Hotel & Events Center. Each athletic program handed out awards in categories such as most improved player, most valuable player and top newcomer.

Senior Sebastian Edin of the men’s tennis team won three awards, including the student-athlete academic achievement award, men’s tennis player of the year and scholar-athlete of the year, the night’s final honor. Edin was joined on stage by senior Karlie Kjerstad of track & field as the female honoree for scholar-athlete of the year.

Edin carries a 4.0 GPA and has been on the Dean’s list every semester he has attended Idaho State, according to a university-issued release. He has taken leadership roles in the Economics Club, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and has served as an Associated Students of Idaho State University (ASISU) Supreme Court justice. For most of his career, he has played the No. 1 position, both in singles and doubles, for the men’s tennis team.

Kjerstad carries a 3.71 GPA and had a season full of personal records. At the Snake River Open, she finished eighth in the mile in 5 minutes, 29.74 seconds, and two weeks later, set her second personal record, in 11:35.80 in the 3,000 meters. In the outdoor season, she set a personal record at the 2017 UVU Collegiate Invitational. She was 24th across the line with a 5:13.66 finish.

Other multiple-award winners include softball senior Kacie Burnett (student-athlete academic achievement, offensive player of the year), cross country and track & field junior Jenica Dodge (cross country women’s outstanding performer, women’s outstanding track athlete), volleyball senior Hayley Farrer (Bengal award, ambush award), and women’s basketball senior Freya Newton (best defensive player, most valuable player).

ISU Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey gave the night’s opening remarks and dedicated the event to the late M. Ross Mertlich, Bennion’s son-in-law. Bennion’s daughter, Patti Eaton, spoke on behalf of Mertlich before awards were handed out.

Jerry Miller, longtime voice of the Bengals, emceed the event. The first awards he announced were the male and female breaking boundaries awards, given to junior track & field athlete Ashley Sondag and redshirt freshman football player Raemo Trevino.

Tingey also announced the retirement of Dr. Scott Benson as Idaho State’s Faculty Athletics Representative. Dr. Caroline Faure has been appointed by Idaho State President Dr. Arthur Vailas to replace Benson. Benson will continue to teach at ISU.

A full list of award recipients is below.

Breaking Boundaries Award: Rahmondo (Raemo) Trevino (football); Ashley Sondag (track & field)

Athletics Advisory Board Academic Athlete Achievement Award 2015-16: Sebastian Edin (men’s tennis) and Kacie Burnett (softball)

Idaho State Cheerleading Newcomer of the Year: Janessa Bauer

Idaho State Cheerleader of the Year: Porter Johnson

Women’s Tennis Co-Player of the Year: Huibre-Mare Botes; Louise-Mare Botes

Men’s Tennis Player of the Year: Sebastian Edin

Women’s Golf Most Improved Player: Abby Kardrmas

Women’s Golf Newcomer of the Year: Hadley Hersh

Women’s Cross Country Outstanding Performer: Jenica Dodge

Men’s Cross Country Most Outstanding Performer: Ty James, Wyatt Diderksen

Softball Offensive Player of the Year: Kacie Burnett

Softball Defensive Player of the Year: Sarah Hayes

Volleyball Bengal Award: Hayley Farrer

Volleyball Pride Award: Marissa Todd

Volleyball Ambush Award: Hayley Farrer

Soccer Rookie of the Year: Michaela Didericksen

Soccer Most Improved Player: Shawna Hennings, Tristen Spooner

Soccer Most Valuable Player: Jenny McCaw

Men’s Basketball Bengal Pride Team GPA: Erik Nakken

Men’s Basketball Most Improved Player: Novak Topalovic

Women’s Basketball Best Defensive Player: Freya Newton

Women’s Basketball Most Improved Player Award: Britanny Kochenderfer

Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player: Freya Newton

Football Outstanding Offensive Player: KW Williams

Football Outstanding Defensive Player: Hayden Stout

Football Outstanding Newcomer: Michael Dean

Football Outstanding Special Teams Player: Andy Whittier

Men’s Track & Field Outstanding Field Athlete: Deante Gaines

Men’s Track & Field Outstanding Track Athlete: Daniel Garz

Men’s Track & Field Most Valuable Athlete: Justin Franz

Women’s Track & Field Outstanding Field Athlete: Tracy Gordon

Women’s Track & Field Outstanding Track Athlete: Jenica Dodge

Women’s Track & Field Most Valuable Athlete: Bailey Tucker

Male Big Sky Scholar Athlete Award: Sebastian Edin (men’s tennis)

Female Big Sky Scholar Athlete of the Year: Karlie Kjerstad (Track & Field)