VALLEY CITY, N.D. – The North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association recently held its annual meeting in Valley City. At that meeting, members voted on various Year-End awards.

One of the awards voted on is College Male Athlete of the Year. Valley City State University's Connor Martin was voted by the members as this year's recipient of the College Male Athlete of the Year.

Martin, who just wrapped up his sophomore season with the VCSU baseball team, beat out two other finalists for the award, Jacob Strausbaugh from the University of Mary wrestling and Ryder Bickett of North Dakota State University Track and Field.

Martin, from Nesbitt, Manitoba, set two school records this past season. His 134 strikeouts set the single season standard that was held by Darin Loe for 39 years. Loe struck out 121 batters in 1987 for the Vikings. Martin's 12.62 strikeouts per 9 innings is also the best for a career with a minimum of 75 innings pitched. Martin has 208 strikeouts in 148.1 innings as a Viking, which is third all-time in school history.

In 2026, Martin was 9-4 for VCSU with a 3.66 ERA. He pitched in 17 games with 16 starts, had three complete games, and two shutouts. His 134 strikeouts led the NAIA in 2026, 16 more that second place.

Martin is the first male athlete from Valley City State to win this award since its inception in 1968. He is the fourth athlete from VCSU to earn an award from this organization. He joins Emily Smith (2019 Softball Female Athlete of the Year), Wanda Schwab (1991, 1992 Basketball and Track FAOTY), and Lori Zacher (1988 Softball). Two coaches have earned Coach of the Year honors. Jim Dew for the 1981 Viking football team and Mike Mook from the 2019 Softball team. The 1978 Football team, the 1981 Football team and the 2019 Softball team all earned Team of the Year awards.