MINOT, N.D. – Minot State senior softball player Sara Van Wickler went on a tear during April that included tying a single-season record for the Beavers, while Minot State sophomore jumper Brayan Augustin just got better and better while hitting an NCAA qualifying mark.

Van Wickler's efforts on the diamond earned her the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Female Athlete of the Month honor for April, and a record-setting performance by Augustin in the long jump earned him the Pinnacle Employee Benefits Minot State Male Athlete of the Month honor for April.

Pinnacle Employee Benefits became the title sponsor for Minot State's Athlete of the Month award during the 2021-22 academic year. The award recognizes the outstanding athletic achievements each month of one male and one female Beaver student-athlete.

In 18 games for the Beavers on the softball diamond in April, Van Wickler led the way offensively with a .420 batting average, batting 21-of-50 with five doubles, 3 home runs, 13 RBIs, and 10 runs scored. She also collected 1 triple during the month, giving her 9 this spring. That ties the single-season record and gives her 19 in her career, No. 2 all-time.

Along with swinging a hot bat, Van Wickler drew 12 walks, was hit by a pitch twice, and was a perfect 6-of-6 in stolen base attempts for the Beavers. Defensively, she added 19 putouts and 3 assists from the outfield.

Away from the diamond, Van Wickler was also named Minot State's female NSIC Honor Student-Athlete for 2025-26 on Thursday.

As for Augustin, a two-sport student-athlete who also plays football for the Beavers, he started off his month with a career-best mark of 23 feet in the long jump, good for 3^rd place at the NDSU Spring Classic and a new NCAA Division II Minot State record.

One week later, Augustin soared past that mark and the all-time Minot State school record, finishing 3^rd in the long jump at the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific in California. His leap of 24 feet, 5.75 inches broke the 48-year-old Beaver school record of 24-0.75, set by Adam Samuels in 1978.

The all-time best long jump in Minot State history was also an NCAA national qualifying mark for Augustin, who currently ranks 20^th in the nation, and fourth in the NSIC.

Van Wickler and the softball team (29-21 overall, 14-12 NSIC) will be in action this weekend, wrapping up the regular season hosting doubleheaders Saturday against Southwest Minnesota State, and Sunday against Sioux Falls. First pitch both days is at noon at Scheels South Hill Complex.

Augustin and the Beaver track and field teams return to completion next weekend, competing at the NSIC Outdoor Championships, May 7-9, hosted by Minnesota Duluth.
 
2025-26 Pinnacle Employee Benefits Athletes of the Month
September
Zoe Banack, women's golf
Kasen Rostad, men's golf
 
October
Colby Joseph, men's hockey
Sabrina Amezcua, women's soccer
 
November
Taryn Hamling, women's basketball
Deuce Benjamin, men's basketball
 
December
Deuce Benjamin, men's basketball
Alyssa Jones, women's wrestling
 
January
Journey Miller, women's hockey
William Dyke, men's hockey
 
February
Peyton Tuhy, men's track & field
Bailey Wride, women's track & field
 
March
Anna LaCount, softball
Conner Meldrim, baseball
 
April
Brayan Augustin, men's track & field
Sara Van Wickler, softball