SEWARD, Neb. – For their performances throughout the calendar month, juniors Carson Fehlhafer of the football program and Kierstynn Garner of the women’s soccer program have been selected as the Bulldog Athletic Association Member Athletes of the Month (BAAM) for October 2024. The winners emerged from a vote conducted on Tuesday (Nov. 12) by attendees at the BAAM luncheon. Fehlhafer and Garner have led their respective teams to placements near the top of the GPAC standings.
A Utica, Neb., native and Centennial High School alum, Fehlhafer has put together a stellar season as the nose guard for Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad. In three October games, Fehlhafer totaled 17 sacks, three sacks, three tackles for loss and a blocked field goal as the 20th-ranked Bulldogs defeated No. 2 Northwestern, 29-17, Doane, 45-10, and Mount Marty, 31-27. Fehlhafer notched three sacks as part of the monumental win over the Red Raiders and was subsequently named the GPAC and NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week. In nine games this season, Fehlhafer has amassed 37 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss and a forced fumble. In 26 career games as Bulldog, Fehlhafer has produced 83 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-GPAC selection in 2023.
A Kearney, Neb., native and Kearney High School native, Garner enjoyed an eye-popping month of October from a statistical standpoint. In six games played during the month, Garner tallied 10 goals and eight assists while leading Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad to a spotless 7-0 record. Garner scored at least one goal in each of her six games during the month with a high of four goals scored in a 6-0 blowout of Midland to finish the regular season. Garner was named the GPAC Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 29. In 18 games this season, Garner has totaled 21 goals and 12 assists, numbers that ranks second among GPAC players. In 57 carer collegiate games, Garner has racked up 48 goals and 17 assists. She ranks fourth on the program’s all-time goals scored list.
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.
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Month
October – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
September – Mark Arp (football) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
2023-24 BAAM Athletes of the Month
April – Joey Grabanski (baseball) / Aubriana Krieser (softball)
March – Jessie Ciezki (shooting sports) / Zach Zohner (track & field)
February – Jaidan Quinn (baseball) / Mackenzie Toomey (basketball)
January – Kendal Brigham (basketball) / Noah Schutte (basketball)
December – Evan Fukuhara (weightlifting) / Hayley Miles (track & field)
November – Creighton Baughman (wrestling) / Abby Krieser (basketball)
October – Rebecca Gebhardt (volleyball) / DJ McGarvie (football)
September – Austin Jablonski (football) / Ashley Keck (volleyball)
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)