VALLEY CITY, ND Valley City State University announced in a press release that it will induct five individuals and one team into the Vikings Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. The ceremony will be held at a banquet on Friday, Sept. 20, during VCSU Homecoming Weekend. For tickets or more information about the induction ceremony, contact the VCSU Alumni Office at 701-845-7203.
Press Release provided by Mark Potts, Director for Sports Information/Assistant Athletic Director VCSU
Erin (Maitland) Draper ‘03
Lenore, Manitoba
Softball/Volleyball, 1999-02
Erin Maitland was a 4-time All-Conference selection as a Viking softball player. She was named All-Conference after a strong freshman season in 1999 and continued to earn that honor for each of the next three seasons. She primarily played infield, but also pitched for the Vikings. During her senior season in 2002, Maitland batted .346 with 23 runs scored, 12 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. She struck out just six times in her 127 at-bats. As a junior, she batted .348 with 15 extra-base hits and 25 RBIs. She was also a two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
Cara (Miller) Gylywoychuk ‘02
Brandon, Manitoba
Softball, 2000-02
Cara Miller earned three straight All-Conference selections on the softball diamond from 2000 to 2002. She excelled as both a hitter and pitcher for the Vikings. During her senior season, she set a school record with a dominating 1.06 ERA in 131 innings. She pitched 17 complete games that season, had three shutouts, and struck out 199 batters. As a hitter, she batted .375 in her senior season and scored 31 runs. She was nearly as dominant as a junior, batting .385 at the plate while also picking up 15 pitching wins and posting a 1.66 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 140 innings.
Brent Miller ‘02
Fargo, N.D.
Football, 1998-2001
Miller excelled as a defensive lineman for the VCSU football team, earning three straight All-Conference selections from 1999 to 2001. He totaled 32 sacks and 54 tackles for loss over those three seasons, including 12 sacks as a senior. Miller was named Honorable Mention All-American as a senior in 2001. His 32 career sacks rank third in Viking history, and his 54 TFL ranks him 2nd. He had at least 30 tackles in all four seasons as a Viking and finished with 194 career stops.
Darin Walters ‘02
Wahpeton, N.D.
Football, 1997-2000
A dominant offense lineman, Darin Walters helped anchor a strong VCSU offensive line during his time as a Viking. He earned Honorable Mention All-Conference as a sophomore in 1998 and then was selected 1st Team All-Conference as both a junior and senior. Walters achieved nationwide respect and was named Honorable Mention All-American after his senior season, during which VCSU averaged 32 points per game, posted a 9-2 overall record, and advanced to the NAIA national playoffs.
Amanda (Brown) Dechant ‘11
Limon, Colo.
Women’s Basketball, 2007-11
Amanda Brown was a solid all-around player from day one on campus and blossomed into an Honorable Mention All-American as a senior, helping to lead the VCSU women’s basketball team to its first-ever national tournament appearance. Brown averaged double-digit scoring in each of her last three seasons and finished her Viking career with 1,297 points, ranking 9th in school history. She also ranks 11th in rebounds (571), 9th in assists (233) and 6th all-time in steals (156). She earned two All-Conference selections, including 1st Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-American in 2011. Brown was also a two-time NAIA scholar-athlete.
2010-11 VCSU Women’s Basketball
Under the guidance of head coach Jill DeVries, the 2010-11 VCSU women’s basketball team set a school record with 23 wins, won the Dakota Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament, and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in program history. The Vikings finished the season with a 23-9 overall record and a 10-4 mark in conference play, earning the No. 2 seed for the postseason. VCSU opened the conference tournament, beating Mayville State 67-64 in the quarterfinals and Minot State 71-66 in the semifinals. The championship was played against rival Jamestown in front of a raucous crowd at VCSU’s W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse. Caitlyn Wojahn, Kristin Bearstail, Amanda Brown, and Brittany Lehner all scored double figures in the championship game as VCSU won 74-69. The Vikings would lose a close 71-65 game to Sterling College in the first round of nationals. Brown was named 1st Team All-DAC and Honorable Mention All-American. Wojahn earned 3rd Team All-DAC honors. Bearstail (12.5 ppg) and Brown (12.3 ppg) were the team’s leading scorers. The Vikings also ranked No. 2 nationally in academics, posting a 3.69 team GPA.
Team members were: Caitlyn Wojahn, Courtney Titus, Shelby Wetzel, Kristin Bearstail, Amanda Brown, Lexi Daniels, Abby Rittenhouse, Jacklyn Mitchell, Laura Lies, Brittany Lehner, Mandy Johnson, Tess Rahto, Mandi Bindas and Jenna Vrchota. Head coach Jill DeVries. Assistant coach Ryan Bomstad. Special assistant coach Matt Karlgaard.