ABERDEEN, S.D. – Former Northern State University stand-out Amanda Madden was named as the South Dakota Sports Writers Association College Women's Athlete of the Year for 2010.  The awards were announced state-wide last week.

Madden concluded her collegiate career in 2010 as NSU's first track and field two-time national champion, winning her first title in the weight throw in March at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.  She followed that up three months later with her second crown, this time in the hammer throw at the Division II National Outdoor meet.

Madden etched her name in NSU's school record books in both events in the process.  Her effort in the weight throw was the 10th best throw in the nation at all collegiate national meets combined (NAIA, NCAA Div. I, II and III), while her hammer throw mark was the eighth best throw in Division II history.  Those efforts helped earn Madden the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's Outdoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year distinction.

A 9-time All-NSIC and 5-time All-American, Madden also excelled in the classroom, earning three USTFCCCA Division II Scholar All-American honors.  She was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District & team in 2010.

The SDSWA awards have been given out annually since 1954.  Madden is the third NSU track and field recipient of the College Athlete of the Year award under the direction of head coach Jim Fuller.