Each year, the Baker Orange sports staff votes on two players, coaches, teams and newcomers of the year who the staff believes are the “Best of the Best.” It was a difficult decision to narrow the field, with many worthy candidates being considered. The winners found success on the field and were recognized throughout the conference and at the national level in their respective sports. The players led the way in several categories, the coaches took their teams to new heights, and the newcomers found early success in their programs.

Men’s Team: Football

The Baker University football team

Prior to Baker’s first game of the season, the Wildcats were ranked No. 15 in the NAIA preseason poll and were picked to finish third in one of the country’s toughest conferences.

BU exceeded these expectations, though, winning a share of the Heart of America Athletic Conference title and earning a top five nod in the national postseason poll.

During the season, the Wildcats snapped a 13-year losing streak to rival MidAmerica Nazarene University, went 8-1 in conference play and hosted two NAIA playoff games.

Three Wildcats were named to the Beyond Sports Network NAIA All-American Team. Freshman wide receiver Clarence Clark claimed the Wildcats top honor, making the third-team All-America squad. Sophomore offensive lineman Sheldon Jacks and senior quarterback Jake Morse received honorable mention following their successes on the field.

Women’s Team: Basketball

The Baker University women’s basketball team

Heading into the season, the Baker University women’s basketball team knew it had a talented group of athletes. What the Wildcats didn’t realize, however, was the history they were about to make.

A remarkable 17-1 record in conference play earned BU its first regular season title since 1983. With the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship, the Wildcats also received their first bid to the NAIA national tournament, where they advanced to the Sweet 16.

Throughout the successful 2013-14 campaign, BU used its depth to average more than 73 points per game and hold its opponents to less than 63. Senior BriAnna Garza led the Wildcats offensively throughout the season, averaging 15 points and four steals per game. BU also relied on the offensive prowess of junior Kyrstie Ehm, who contributed more than 13 points per contest, and senior Shea Shoemaker, who averaged 10 points. HAAC Defensive Player of the Year Macy Wallisch anchored BU on the other side of the floor, with eight rebounds and three blocks per game.

Athlete: Bryce Shoemaker

Freshman wrestler Bryce Shoemaker

Although freshman Bryce Shoemaker is a newcomer on the BU wrestling squad this year, he earned the top male athlete spot for his outstanding performance on the mat. The freshman completed his debut season as the first NAIA wrestling national champion in Baker University history.

At nationals, Shoemaker battled his way to the top of the 133-pound weight bracket, where he took down senior Justin Brooks of Indiana Technical University by a 3-0 decision. Shoemaker earned All-America status along with the national title, and he finished the first season of his collegiate career with a 34-7 record.

Shoemaker also earned two consecutive Heart of America Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week honors in December. The first award came after he went 4-0, winning his weight class at the Bob Smith Open at Fort Hays State University. He earned the next award after his achievements led him to be ranked No. 7 in the nation.

Shoemaker helped take his team to a No. 16 overall finish for the season.

Female Athlete: BriAnna Garza

Senior women’s basketball player BriAnna Garza

Senior women’s basketball player BriAnna Garza had a way with utilizing her team’s strengths in transition play and quickness, and it showed in her leadership on the court.

The 5-foot-8 point guard earned the Heart of America Athletic Conference Player of the Year award and an NAIA third-team All-America honor for her confident performance during her final season as a Wildcat.

Garza finished off her career at the NAIA National Championship Tournament, Baker’s first appearance in school history.

BU made it to the Sweet 16 round, and Garza led her team offensively by scoring 24 points and 25 points, respectively, in the two games it played during the tournament.

She was the overall scoring and steals leader on the season for the ‘Cats as well, with an average of 15 points and 1.4 steals per game. Garza also racked up 150 assists during the season, good for a top 10 ranking in NAIA Division I.

Male Newcomer: Clarence Clark

Freshman football player Clarence Clark

Freshman Clarence Clark had a tremendous first season for the Baker University football team.

He received third-team All-America honors as a receiver, as well as first team All-Conference honors as a kicker and receiver.

He made 17 of his 26 field goal attempts, more than anyone in the NAIA, and hit 43-46 point-after attempts. He also had four field goals from 50+ yards, including a 59-yarder against Missouri Valley, and a 53-yard game winner in overtime of the same game.

He excelled as a deep threat on the offensive end, catching 40 passes for 840 yards, 21 yards per catch. He led the team in receiving touchdowns with 10, with another touchdown coming on the ground. Clark had six receptions of 40 yards or more, as many as the rest of the team combined. Clark has already put his name in the record book, setting Wildcats records for longest reception, 98, and most points as a kicker, 94.

Female Newcomer: Hannah Bettge

Freshman volleyball player Hannah Bettge

As a freshman, setter Hannah Bettge made an immediate impact on the Baker University volleyball team.

By jump-setting everything in front of the 10-foot line, Bettge helped the Wildcats run a faster offense, which proved to be successful through their 23-9 record. After leading the team with 9.4 assists per set and 25 service aces on the season, the newcomer was named the HAAC Freshman of the Year.

Although she is known for her setting, Bettge also showed her versatility, averaging 1.7 kills per set and compiling 73 total blocks throughout the season. She also garnered four HAAC Setter of the Week awards and four Player of the Week honors, all of which were paired during the same weeks.

Through her leadership and maturity, Bettge set up players like senior Crystal Simon and sophomore Danielle French, who led the Wildcats with 287 and 278 total kills, respectively.

Male Coach of the Year: Mike Grossner

Head football coach Mike Grossner

Baker head football coach Mike Grossner led the Wildcats to their first conference title since 1993. With an 11-2 record, Baker tied for its most wins ever.

For his efforts, Grossner also received the HAAC Coach of the Year honor.

A season-ending injury to All-American defensive end Andre Jolly led Grossner to give opportunities to freshmen Nick Becker and Adam Novak, who stepped up and anchored a defense that allowed just 13 points per game during their time as starters.

The offense also performed at a high level, scoring an average of 35.5 points per game. Grossner also had to deal with multiple injuries to senior quarterback Jake Morse, who broke his right hand and sprained his right shoulder over the course of the season. The Wildcats went undefeated in the games featuring backup quarterbacks. Grossner’s most successful project came on special teams, developing freshman Clarence Clark into the Wildcat’s starting kicker, who was named first-team all-conference.

Women’s Coach of the Year: Ben Lister

Head women’s basketball coach Ben Lister

For the second year in a row, Ben Lister was unanimously selected the Baker Orange’s Women’s Coach of the Year.

In just his third season at the helm of the women’s basketball team, Lister led the Wildcats to their first NAIA national ranking, their first regular season conference title in 31 years and the program’s first national tournament appearance.

Lister was also recognized as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight season after stringing together back-to-back 20-win seasons.

Through his staff’s recruiting efforts, Lister has developed a deep and versatile team that featured two conference Player of the Year selections.

In the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 postseason poll, the Wildcats received their highest ranking, landing at No. 11.