South Dakota State University golfer Trent Peterson has been named one of five finalists for the 2009 Byron Nelson Award, officials from the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Tuesday.

A senior from Eagan, Minn., Peterson has earned an at-large berth in next week's NCAA Stillwater Regional to add to his growing list of accomplishments. On the season, Peterson has a Summit League-best and school-record scoring average of 72.1 (2,091 strokes in 29 rounds). A top-20 finisher in all 10 events, he has posted eight top-10 finishes, four runner-up finishes and a third-place finish. He also successfully defended his individual title at Westernn Illinois' Beu/Mussatto Invitational in April, before earning a runner-up finish at the Summit League Championships

Candidates for the Byron Nelson Award must be a graduating senior and the selection committee considers equally a nominee's entire collegiate academic and athletic career , as well as his character and integrity while in college. Peterson, who was honored as a Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar during the 2008-09 season, has posted a 3.51 grade-point average while majoring in biology/pre-dentistry.

Particular consideration is given to a nominee's good citizenship, as portrayed by Mr. Nelson over the course of his life and golf career.

Other finalists include Peter Malnati of Missouri, Cameron Tringale of Georgia Tech, Mike Van Sickle of Marquette (Wis.) and Texas A&M's Matthew Van Zandt.

The winner of the Byron Nelson Award, which is presented by Cleveland Golf and Srixon, will be named at the NCAA Division I Championships in Toledo, Ohio, the last week of May.