SEWARD, Neb. – For their performances throughout the calendar month, Austin Jablonski of football and Ashley Keck of volleyball have been recognized as the Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Month for September 2023. The winners emerged from a vote conducted on Tuesday (Oct. 10) at the BAAM luncheon. Both Jablonski and Keck have received this award for the first time in their careers.
A transfer from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Jablonski has added game-breaking abilities to the Concordia offense. During the month of September, Jablonski reeled in 47 receptions for 502 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. The Lincoln Pius X High School graduate eclipsed 110 receiving yards in games against Northwestern (122) and Dakota Wesleyan (142). Jablonski continues to lead all NAIA receivers with 53 catches on the season (to go along with 558 yards and three touchdowns). Over 16 career games as a Bulldog, Jablonski has totaled 89 receptions for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 371 yards and four touchdowns since arriving at Concordia.
The Kearney Catholic High School product Keck has taken a leap forward in her second collegiate season while becoming a star outside hitter. Over 11 matches in September, Keck totaled a team high 131 kills (3.64 per set) while hitting .209. She also notched 87 digs (2.42 per set) in taking on an increased on-court role. Keck’s high in kills for the month was 16 in contests against both College of Saint Mary and Mount Marty. Keck currently ranks fourth among GPAC players in kills per set (3.55) while hitting .230 on the season. Named the 2022 GPAC Freshman of the Year, Keck has played a key role for a Bulldog volleyball team that stands at 17-0 (10-0 GPAC) and carries the No. 1 NAIA national ranking.
BAAM Athletes of the Month are rewarded out of the pool of student-athletes that garner BAAM Athlete of the Week recognition throughout the month.
2022-23 BAAM Athletes of the Month
April – Jenna Esch (track & field) / Jaidan Quinn (baseball)
March – Wyatt Hambly (shooting sports) / Claire Kee (shooting sports) / Josie Puelz (track & field)
February – Noah Schutte (basketball) / Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
January – Rylee Haecker (track & field) / Noah Schutte (basketball)
December – Adrianna Rodencal (track & field) / Gage Smith (basketball)
November – Rebecca Gebhardt (volleyball) / Noah Schutte (basketball)
October – Bree Burtwistle (volleyball) / Korrell Koehlmoos (football) / Carly Rodaway (volleyball)
September – Gabi Nordaker (volleyball) / Camryn Opfer (volleyball) / Camden Sesna (cross country)