ELMHURST, Ill. - North Dakota State senior Heather Zander was named the Summit League Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in a vote of the league's head coaches.  Oral Roberts' Rachel Talbert was named Women's Field Athlete of the Year.

Zander picked up the award after capturing All-American honors at the NCAA Championships with a ninth place finish in the heptathlon.  She is the third Bison to earn Division I All-America accolades.  Her personal best score of 5,427 points also set a new school record.

The Mandan, N.D. native claimed the heptathlon title at the Summit League Championships with a league record score of 5,328 points.  She also placed second in the 100 meter hurdles.

Zander will compete in the heptathlon at the U.S. Track and Field Championships beginning Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m. Central.