SEWARD, Neb. – As voted upon by Bulldog Athletic Association Members (BAAM), standouts Caydren Cox of the football program and Gabi Nordaker of the volleyball program have been named the BAAM September Athletes of the Month. A vote was conducted at Tuesday (Oct. 12)’s BAAM luncheon held in the Dog House Grill on campus. BAAM Athletes of the Month have returned for 2021-22 after going on hiatus during 2020-21 due to the absence of the regular Tuesday luncheons.
A senior from Beloit, Kan., Cox has enjoyed a breakout 2021 season. In four games over the month of September, Cox recorded 29 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. His 6.5 sacks for the season lead all GPAC players. Cox also paces the Bulldogs in tackles for loss (8.5) and ranks second with 39 tackles. For his work in the win at Jamestown, Cox was named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week. He is studying Business Administration.
A freshman in terms of athletic eligibility (second year in the program), Nordaker has elevated her game this fall. The Omaha native and Millard West High School alum starred during a September that saw her post 148 kills (3.02/set) and 47 blocks (0.96/set) while hitting .340 from the middle blocker position. Nordaker piled up 22 kills and nine blocks in the five-set match with College of Saint Mary on Sept. 25. On the season, Nordaker has produced 203 kills and a team high 63 blocks in 70 sets played. Her .349 hitting percentage also represents a Bulldog best. Nordaker is majoring in Biology.
All BAAM Athletes of the Week during September were included in the voting for the monthly honor. Below is a list of the September BAAM Athletes of the Week.
September BAAM Athletes of the Week
Sept. 28 – Wyatt Hambly (shooting sports) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
Sept. 21 – Camden Sesna (cross country) / Lina Kirst (soccer) / Grace Reiman (cross country) / Carly Rodaway (volleyball)
Sept. 14 – Caydren Cox (football) / Mikeila Martinez (soccer)
Sept. 7 – Drew D’Ercole (golf) / Ivan Yabut (golf) / Erica Heinzerling (volleyball)