Hello and welcome to the 2016 CRFF-ies! If you missed the introduction to the ceremonies, take a look here to get caught up to speed. Every category in the series was voted on by the CRFF staff through a points system.
In the first of an eight-part series, the CRFF staff voted on their favorite team of the 2015-16 season. There were plenty of worthy teams who all had a case to take home the top spot in this category. Here are the candidates:
- Women’s Tennis - Advancing through the NCAA Tournament, running through the NCAA Championships, and literally coming as close as you can without winning one, the women’s Tennis team has a great case for our top spot.
- Baseball - This one is fresh on everyone’s mind. With the season having just ended a couple weeks ago, we vividly remember just how special the Cowboys’ run through the NCAA Tournament, and Omaha, was. They, too, fell just short of their ultimate goal. The Cowboys went 2-0 through their first two games in Omaha, but lost two straight when they just needed to win one to advance. It was a valiant effort, and they also have a strong case for the top spot.
- Wrestling - Any John Smith coached team is going to be great, obviously. And it helps when he had one of the all-time greats wrestle for him in Alex Dieringer. Deiringer was so good that he was nominated for an ESPY. The Cowboys went 13-3 on the season and won their 50th Big 12 title in the process. Smith produced seven Big 12 Champs and two national champions in Dieringer and Dean Hiel.
- Football - If OSU wins just one of their last three games, they would’ve had an 11 win season for just the third time in program history. The three game skid to round out the season left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth, but it was still an incredible season that produced many great moments and victories. With Mason Rudolph blossoming as a true sophomore and James Washington doing the same, the Football team has a case for the most exciting team of the group, but are they the best team?
Those are the candidates for the Team of the Year category of the 2016 CRFF-ies. Without further ado, the winner is...
The 2016 Cowboy Baseball Team!
Their undefeated run through regionals and super regionals on the road was impressive and completely unexpected. Underdogs in both regionals, the Cowboys overcame the odds and proved their worth. The team rejuvenated a sleeping giant in OSU baseball, and they established a foundation for the future. The Cowboys rattled off eight straight postseason wins, and never trailed in those eight wins. For that, the Cowboy Baseball team earns the CRFF-ie for Best Team.
Check back tomorrow for Male Athlete of the Year.