CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Three male and three female finalists have been announced for the 2025 Barron Bremner Outstanding Athlete Awards by the Coe College athletic department and the selection committee.
Chris Baker, Trenton Barnes and
Bryce Parke have been named the male finalists and
Taylor Brunson, Sophia Fain and
Maddy Maahs have been named the female finalists.
The awards, made possible by Life Trustee John Strohm '79 and Mary Pat Link, annually honor the top three Coe female athletes and the top three Coe male athletes. Each spring, head coaches at Coe nominate candidates for this award before a committee vote to select the outstanding male and female athletes. The designation of "Outstanding Athlete" reflects achievement in athletics within the philosophy of NCAA Division III and is a fitting way to recognize the accomplishments of the young people nominated. The award was renamed after Barron Bremner in honor of his many years of outstanding service to the college, its students and the community as a beloved coach and Athletic Director. The 2025 Outstanding Athlete Awards winners will be announced on Homecoming Sunday, October 5 at the annual award ceremony.
2025 Finalist Profiles
Female Finalists
Taylor Brunson - Basketball
Brunson put together one of the best individual single seasons in Coe Women's Basketball history, setting the school record for single-season points with a staggering 550 points. Brunson averaged 21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 1.8 assists and 0.5 blocks per game, making an impact on both sides of the floor. She helped Coe to its second straight 20-win season and was later named first team all-conference, first team all-region and the American Rivers Conference MVP. Brunson had six 30-plus point performances during the season and hit the 20-point mark in 13 games.
Sophia Fain - Tennis
Fain helped the Kohawk Women's Tennis program return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018, leading from the top as Coe's number one singles player. She posted a total record of 17-5 during her sophomore season and was a perfect 8-0 in conference matches en route to earning the league's MVP award. A two-time A-R-C Female Tennis Athlete of the Week, Fain won seven of her eight conference matches in straight sets. Additionally, Fain claimed the top flight title at the fall individual championships, going 4-0 with a 5-3, 5-3 defeat of Luther's top player in the championship.
Maddy Maahs - Volleyball
Maahs continued her impressive Kohawk career in her junior season with another accolade filled campaign. She helped Coe to the A-R-C regular season title and was a two-time A-R-C Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week honoree. Maahs averaged 10.29 assists, .41 service aces, .81 kills, 1.44 points, 2.49 digs and .35 blocks per set while finishing the year ranked fifth in DIII in total assists and 16th in assists per set. Following the season, Maahs was named the A-R-C Most Valuable Player and later picked up AVCA First Team All-Region and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Male Finalists
Chris Baker - Track & Field
Baker capped a historic career with a stellar senior season, earning a pair of NCAA Championship bids at the 2025 Indoor and Outdoor championships. Coe's first conference champion since 2017, Baker claimed the league title in the Hammer throw and earned all-league honors in the Weight Throw with a third place finish at the 2025 championships. At the national championships, Baker earned two second-team all-American awards, placing ninth in the Weight Throw and 12th in the Hammer Throw. During the outdoor season, Baker set a new school record in the Weight Throw with a massive toss of 19.37m.
Trenton Barnes - Football
Barnes was a key part of the 2024 Kohawk football team reaching the NCAA Playoffs for the second straight season. A senior running back, Barnes took on an expanded role and never looked back, rushing for 1,264 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 138 receiving yards and one touchdown. He ranked 12th in DIII in rushing yards and 17th in rushing touchdowns en route to the program's first A-R-C Offensive MVP honor since 2016. Following his outstanding campaign, Barnes was named a second-team AFCA All-American and a fourth-team
D3football.com All-American.
Bryce Parke - Wrestling
Parke had an incredible run in his final season as a Kohawk wrestler, reaching the National final at 133 pounds before suffering a defeat to the top-seed. The national runner-up, Parke claimed the NCAA Region IV Championship and posted a 26-5 record during the season. He psoted nine falls, eight teach falls and three major decisions during his season including two falls at the NCAA Tournament.
HISTORY OF THE AWARD
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