FlamesNation Player of the Year 2014

Voting for the 2nd annual FlamesNation Player of the Year is underway! This award will be voted on by you, FlamesNation, as we seek to award the most outstanding Liberty University Athlete from the calendar year 2014. Below you will find the 10 candidates which you can vote for. Voting runs now through December 21st at which time we will reduce the list of 10 to the top 3. Voting will reset December 22nd, when you can then vote from the pool of the top 3 as we select our FlamesNation Player of the Year! Voting will close for the 3 finalists on December 31st.

You can vote 3 ways each round: by leaving a comment on this post, by voting in our poll, or by mentioning @Flames_Nation on twitter with the hashtag #FlamesNationPOY and your selection.

You may vote for 3 student-athletes this round.

Brittany Aanderud, women’s soccer*

Aanderud was named to the Big South first team all-conference for the second straight year. She led the Lady Flames in points (21) on six goals and a conference-leading nine assists. In Liberty’s 8-0 win over UNC Asheville on Oct. 1, Aanderud set a new program record with 21 assists. Through three seasons, Aandeurd has 50 career points, tying her for fifth all-time with Lauren Zealand (1999, 2001, 03-04). She helped lead Liberty to a Big South regular season conference championship and a 14-4-2 overall record.

Tomasz Gielo, men’s basketball

Gielo leads the Flames this season with 12 points per game, and was 3rd on the team a season ago averaging 10.9 points per game. Tomasz also led the Flames in rebounding during his junior season at 5.9 boards per game. He made over 40% of his 99 3-pointers attempted last season. Gielo is currently shooting over 40% from 3 again this year while increasing his rebound numbers to 6.3.

Sarah Gipe, field hockey*

Gipe paced the Lady Flames and NorPac Conference with 45 points and a program-tying best 19 goals. She also added 7 assists and 3 game-winning goals. She helped lead Liberty to a 14-8 overall mark and 4-0 record in NorPac Conference play. Liberty advanced to the NCAA Field Hockey Championship after winning the NorPac Conference tournament with wins over California and Stanford. The Lady Flames defeated Richmond to open the NCAA Championships before advancing to face #1 North Carolina. Liberty lost to UNC, 2-1.

Jacob Hagen, football

Hagen was named 1st team all-Big South following his standout senior season for the Flames’ football team. He led the team with 108 tackles and 8 interceptions. He also added 1 fumble recovery which he returned 27 yards for a touchdown against North Carolina. He sealed the win over Appalachian State with his interception in the end zone in overtime. His 15 career interceptions rank 2nd on the all time Big South list. Hagen was the 2013 FlamesNation POY.

Trey Lambert, baseball

Lambert was named the Big South Pitcher of the Year following his performance in 2014. He posted a record of 11-3 with a 2.23 ERA and 3 complete games. He struck out 71 while walking 28. The senior from Tazewell, Virginia, recorded 2 shutouts on the season, leading the Flames to a 23-3 mark in conference play and 41-18 overall as the Flames advanced to NCAA Regional play for the 2nd consecutive year.

John Lunsford, football

Lunsford was selected as the Big South Special Teams Player of the Year for his performance in 2014. He made national headlines with his 60 yard field goal on the final play of regulation against Richmond to send the game into overtime. Lunsford made the 3 longest field goals in FCS this season (56, 57, and 60 yards). He finished the season 19/24 on field goals including 5/6 from 50 yards or longer. He set the Liberty school record for consecutive extra points made with 94.

Darrin Peterson, football

Peterson set single season school records for receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,379). He finished 2nd in FCS in receiving yards. Petey was named 1st team all Big South at wide receiver. He also led the Big South and ranked 10th in the country with 12 receiving touchdowns. Peterson had 2 games with 3 touchdowns this season (Richmond and Charleston Southern).

Ryan Seiz, baseball

Seiz was voted the Big South Baseball Player of the Year. The junior 2nd baseman led the team with a .351 batting average. Seiz also led the team in homeruns (12), doubles (16), and hits (81). He was 2nd on the team in RBIs with 43. He was selected in the 17th round of the 2014 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. Seiz finished the 2014 season in Rookie ball with the Orem Owlz.

Josh Woodrum, football

Woodrum led the Flames to a 9-5 record and the program’s first ever playoff appearance. The junior quarterback was named to the Big South Football All-Conference 2nd team. Josh finished the season 210/339 passing for 2,947 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added 254 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. Woodrum compiled these numbers while missing 2 games late in the season due to injury.

Holly Van Noord, women’s soccer*

Van Noord was voted 2014 Big South Defensive Player of the Year, leading the conference in shutouts (9), save percentage (.844) and goals-against average (0.69). Van Noord now has 23 career shutouts, accomplishing the feat in her first two active seasons. She helped lead Liberty to a Big South regular season conference championship and a 14-4-2 overall record.

*photo courtesy LibertyFlames.com