Kyle Emanuel, NDSU football Emanuel, a four-year starter at defensive end for North Dakota State, was a member of four NCAA Football Championship Subdivision national championships for the Bison. He was the recipient of the 2014 Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the best defensive player in the FCS. Emanuel led the FCS in sacks (19½) and tackles for loss (32½). He was drafted 153rd overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. Other finalists: Grant Singer, University of Mary football. Zane McIntyre, University of North Dakota hockey

Dave Richman, NDSU Richman, a first-year head coach with the Bison in 2014-15, inherited a team that returned two starters. NDSU was picked to finish fifth in the Summit League in the preseason poll, but the Bison exceeded expectations to finish the regular season with a 12-4 conference record. Richman guided NDSU to a win over South Dakota State in the Summit League Tournament championship game to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. NDSU’s final record was 23-10. Other finalists: Chris Klieman, NDSU football. Dave Hakstol, University of North Dakota hockey

NDSU football North Dakota State finished the season 15-1 and defeated State 29-27 for its fourth straight NCAA Football Championship Subdivision national championship. NDSU’s season began with a 34-14 win over Iowa State. The Bison rallied to score 34 unanswered points against Cyclones after falling behind 14-0. NDSU was 7-1 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and shared the conference championship with Illinois State. Other finalists: NDSU basketball, UND hockey

Shelby Amsley-Benzie, UND hockey Amsley-Benzie was named the University of North Dakota’s female athlete of the year and became the first goaltender in program history to earn All-America honors after leading the country in save percentage (.952). She set UND’s single-season record for shutouts with nine. Amsley-Benzie was UND’s first goaltender to be named the goaltending champion of the WCHA and became the program’s career leader in wins and shutouts. Other finalists: Erin Teschuk, NDSU cross country, track. Kathryn Stewart, University of Mary track and field

Kristen Fleury, Dickinson State Fleury guided the Blue Hawks to a program-best 44-13 record in 2015. Dickinson State won the North Star Athletic Association Conference Tournament and made its third straight appearance at the NAIA National Tournament. The Blue Hawks later advanced to the NAIA World Series and finished 10th in the nation. Fleury is now 201-93 in six seasons at Dickinson State. Other finalists: Greg Ulland, Jamestown basketball. Mike Thoreson, University of Mary track and field

NDSU softball North Dakota State won the Summit League Tournament for the sixth time since becoming an NCAA Division I program. Winning the conference tournament earned the Bison an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. NDSU traveled to play in the Eugene Regional in Oregon and finished 2-2 after opening the tournament with a win over Fresno State. NDSU’s overall record was 45-11 and 16-2 in Summit League play. NDSU also was 6-1 in games against teams from the Big 10. Other finalists: Dickinson State softball. Jamestown basketball