Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Natalie Bremer was voted by the league’s head coaches as the 2025-26 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outstanding Senior of the Year for women’s basketball.
A native of Lake City, Minnesota, Bremer holds a 3.64 grade-point average while majoring in exercise science. She has earned NSIC All-Academic Team honors and has been named to the Dean’s List every semester of her collegiate career. Bremer is also a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection and a member of the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence.
The NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year Award is presented annually to a student-athlete who has competed at their institution for four years and has demonstrated excellence in both athletics and academics while making a positive contribution to their team, institution and community. The award honors seniors who exemplify the attributes of the model NSIC student-athlete.
Bremer concludes her career as one of the most decorated players in Minnesota State women’s basketball history. She is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,275 career points and ranks first in field goals made (870), second in steals (324), and third in scoring average (17.8 points per game). She has helped lead the Mavericks to 110 career victories, including the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship, the 2024 NSIC regular season and tournament championships, 2026 NSIC regular season championship, and multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
Nationally recognized for her performance, Bremer was named the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight Most Outstanding Player and earned Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American honorable mention honors in 2024-25. She was also named to the D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team and earned NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team honors. Bremer is a three-time first team All-NSIC selection, a second team All-NSIC honoree, and the 2025-26 NSIC South Division Preseason Player of the Year. During her career, she also earned multiple NSIC Player of the Week honors and was twice named Division II National Player of the Week.
Bremer played a key role in one of the most successful eras in program history, helping the Mavericks win an NCAA national championship, NSIC regular season and tournament titles, and establish a program-record winning streak of more than 27 games while tying the school record with 32 wins in a season.
Beyond her success on the court, Bremer has made a significant impact in the Mankato community. She has volunteered extensively with the Girls on the Run program, served as a mentor and coach at youth basketball camps and practices, read to elementary school students, and participated in community outreach events. She has also volunteered at the campus food shelf, assisted with the Mankato Kiwanis Holiday Lights event, connected with residents in senior living communities, and helped pack meals for children in need.
“Natalie’s impact on our program over the course of her career has been insurmountable,” said Minnesota State head coach Emilee Thiesse. “She has become our all-time leading scorer, is currently second all-time in steals and ranks in the top 10 all-time in several categories. While her on-the-court impact has been great, Natalie is more than just a great player; she is a driven student and a selfless leader. Despite reaching remarkable milestones this season, Natalie has remained focused on team success above all else and has brought such joy and energy to the court. Her passion for the game of basketball and her love for her teammates is truly inspiring.”
Past Winners
2020-21: Erin Norling – Wayne State
2021-22: Tori Wortz – St. Cloud State
2022-23: Peyton Boom – MSU Moorhead
2023-24: Joey Batt – Minnesota State
2024-25 – Bri Stoltzman – SMSU
Southwest Minnesota State University’s Jakob Braaten has been voted by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference head coaches as the recipient of the Bob Olson Outstanding Senior of the Year Award for the 2025-26 men’s basketball season.
A native of Byron, Minnesota, Braaten holds a 3.02 grade-point average while majoring in education with a coaching minor. He will graduate with an elementary education degree and plans to pursue a career in teaching and coaching.
The “Bob Olson Outstanding Senior of the Year Award” is presented to a NSIC men’s basketball student-athlete who participates at his institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to his team and University. The Bob Olson Outstanding Senior of the Year award was initiated in 2020-21 to honor an outstanding senior that exemplifies the attributes of Bob Olson. Olson, a longtime basketball coach and administrator at Northern State University, is known for his loyalty, commitment and humility. The NSIC men’s basketball coaches felt Olson exemplified the attributes of the NSIC and wanted to honor a graduating senior student-athlete from the league that emulated Olson’s traits.
Braaten has proven to be one of the premier players at SMSU and in the NSIC during his career. He earned first team All-NSIC honors during both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons and twice was named NSIC Player of the Week during his career. He was also named NABC/D2CIDA National Player of the Week earlier this season.
Braaten is averaging a team-high 14.4 points per game, while also leading the team in field goals (146), assists (126) and rebounding (5.5).
His outstanding play also earned national recognition, as this season he was named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List, presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division II men’s basketball, and the Bevo Francis Award Top 100 Watch List, which recognizes the top players across all levels of small college basketball.
Braaten has played in 112 games with 86 starts during his four-year career. He ranks fourth in team history in both assists (361) and steals (152), while ranking 21st in scoring (1,141).
Beyond his success on the court, Braaten has made a lasting impact in the southwest Minnesota community. He has been actively involved in the Mini Mustangs program, which reaches more than 400 youth across the region by connecting with local schools and promoting basketball fundamentals and leadership. Braaten has also participated in speaking engagements at area schools, serving as a role model and mentor to young students while inspiring the next generation through his commitment to education and athletics.
“Jakob Braaten defines everything the NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year Award stands for, both on and off the court,” said Southwest Minnesota State head coach Brad Bigler. “His career achievements speak for themselves, being named to the Trevor Hudgins Award Top 25 Watch List and the Bevo Francis Award Top 100 Watch List reflects not only his elite level of play, but also his consistency, leadership and commitment to excellence throughout his entire career. Beyond basketball, he has made a meaningful impact in the community, especially in local schools across southwest Minnesota, where he connects naturally with kids and serves as a genuine role model. As a future education teacher, Jakob’s character, authenticity and ability to positively influence young people truly set him apart. He represents our program, university and conference with the highest level of integrity, making him a perfect embodiment of what this award is meant to honor.”
Past Winners
2020-21: Andrew Kallman, Northern State
2021-22: Devin Whitelow, Winona State
2022-23: Jordan Belka, Northern State
2023-24: Isaac Fink, Augustana
2024-25: Jacob Beeninga, MSU Moorhead
(info courtesy of NSIC)
