SEWARD, Neb. – Sophomore Rachel Battershell of the track and field program and senior Tanner Shuck of the men’s basketball program have been named the Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Month of January 2020. The two standout student-athletes were winners of voting that took place at the BAAM luncheon on Tuesday (Feb. 11). Nominees for the monthly award are comprised of the BAAM Athletes of the Week throughout that month. Recipients of the monthly awards will receive plaques from the athletic department.
Starting with the 2017-18 academic year, the Bulldog Athletic Association Members began naming male and female athletes of the month.
A native of Wheatland, Wyo., Battershell has elevated herself into a top female track performer in the entire NAIA. This indoor season, Battershell has collected four GPAC Athlete of the Week honors and an NAIA National Athlete of the Week honor while breaking the school record in the 60 meter hurdles (8.96). The 2019 GPAC outdoor 400 meter champion is the current NAIA leader in the 400 (56.40 at the Polar Dog Invite) with a time that ranks second in program history. Batters also ranks as the conference leader in the 60 meter hurdles and 400 meters and as part of a 4x400 meter relay that is qualified for nationals with the No. 2 time in the NAIA. A member of 2019 GPAC indoor/outdoor team champions, Battershell has helped the Bulldogs to a No. 2 team NAIA national rating.
Shuck collected multiple honors as part of a big run during the month of January. Named the MVP of the Concordia Invitational Tournament and GPAC Player of the Week on Jan. 14, Shuck averaged 15.3 points and 4.9 rebounds over nine January games. During which, head coach Ben Limback’s squad went 8-1 and won the CIT title. Shuck also posted January shooting percentages of 50.5 from the floor, 42.6 from 3-point range and 94.1 from the free throw line. Shuck notched a season high of 26 points in a home win over Jamestown on Jan. 11. The four-year standout has played in each of the program’s 118 games since the start of the 2016-17 season and ranks ninth in school history with 1,452 career points.
Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of January 2020
Male: Tanner Shuck, Basketball | Grand Island, Neb. | Sr.
Female: Rachel Battershell, Track & Field | Wheatland, Wyo. | So.
Other nominees
Male: Tanner Farmer, wrestling
Female: Allie Brooks, track & field; Addie Shaw, track & field; Riley Sibbel, basketball
Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of December 2019
Male: Mario Ybarra, Wrestling | Scottsbluff, Neb. | So.
Female: Emmie Noyd, Volleyball | Shelby, Neb. | Sr.
Other nominees
Male: Issiah Burks, wrestling; Gavin DeHaai, track & field
Female: Philly Lammers, basketball; Kennedy Mogul, track & field
Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of November 2019
Male: Carter Kent, Basketball | Crete, Neb. | So.
Female: Kara Stark, Volleyball | Frisco, Texas | Jr.
Other nominees
Male: Maria Ybarra, wrestling
Female: Delani Fahey, basketball; Kylahn Heritage, cross country
Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of October 2019
Male: Lane Napier, Football | David City, Neb. | Jr.
Female: Tara Callahan, Volleyball | Brady, Neb. | Jr.
Other nominees
Male: Caleb Goldsmith, soccer; Brevin Sloup, basketball
Female: Kylahn Heritage, cross country; Marissa Hoerman, volleyball; Camryn Opfer, volleyball
Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of September 2019
Male: Derek Tachovsky, Football | Wilber, Neb. | Sr.
Female: Emmie Noyd, Volleyball | Shelby, Neb. | Sr.
Other nominees
Male: Eduardo Alba, soccer; Moises Jacobo, soccer, AJ Jenkins, football; Carlos Orquiz, soccer
Female: Rebekah Hinrichs, cross country; Amie Martin, cross country; Kendra Placke, golf; Kara Stark, volleyball